Commenting on the campaign, Coffee Planet CEO Jamie Brown said:

“Reflecting on our Brewing Futures program, I’m reminded why we do what we do at Coffee Planet: to create real opportunities for those passionate about coffee and ready to build a career in it. Seeing the energy and determination in our trainees has only strengthened our mission: to empower aspiring baristas and build a future where opportunity and specialty coffee go hand in hand.”

The initiative is designed to provide comprehensive, hands-on training, guided by seasoned coffee professionals with decades of experience. From mastering the basics of coffee brewing to advanced barista techniques, the program is tailored to inspire confidence and excellence in each participant.

Selected graduates will have the opportunity to join Coffee Planet’s cafes, ensuring the program directly contributes to both community and brand growth.

Recognised for its excellence in the industry, Coffee Planet was named a “UAE Superbrand” at the 19th Annual Superbrands Tribute at Dubai Festival City in November 2023. The company also received four industry awards in the Middle East, highlighting its commitment to delivering exceptional coffee experiences.

The ‘Brewing Futures’ program marks a significant step in Coffee Planet’s mission to spread specialty coffee culture while providing meaningful opportunities to the local community. With more sessions planned, the initiative continues to shape the next generation of coffee professionals and make specialty coffee more accessible to all.

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“This campaign resonates deeply with me because it highlights the rich history and connection we share as a community over a simple cup of coffee,” said third-generation Community Coffee owner Donna Saurage. “It reminds me that every sip is not just about the beverage, but about the relationships and values that bind us together.”

The campaign commercial opens with an image of the F.L. and H.N. Saurage General Merchandise Store, which was run by Community Coffee founder Henry Norman “Cap” Saurage and his brother. Cap blended coffee for store customers according to his own secret recipe — a recipe that became Community Coffee in 1919. After five generations,​ Cap’s family is still roasting smooth, rich coffee that builds community​ one cup at a time.​

“Sharing a cup of coffee with an old neighbour or a new friend is as relevant and rewarding today as it was in the past,” said fourth-generation owner Matt Saurage. “So often, it’s through conversations over coffee that people share ideas, relationships are built and communities are inspired.” 

Kicking off the partnership, the campaign was produced by TMA, a marketing and creative agency based in Dallas and aims to connect Community Coffee with a new generation of coffee drinkers while paying respect to those that came before.

The campaign spotlights two of Community’s best-selling coffees: Breakfast Blend and the year-round Mardi Gras King Cake, a flavoured coffee that celebrates the brand’s Louisiana heritage.

Community Coffee’s commitment to giving back is referenced in the commercial’s 1980s classroom scene. Since 1988, the Community Cash for Schools program has raised over USD $8.5 million for students and teachers by enabling schools to redeem product proofs of purchase for funds. The company also recognises community leaders through the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Community Leader Award, which celebrates educators and administrators positively impacting student-athletes, and the H. Norman Saurage III Service Award, established in partnership with Dream Teachers to honor exceptional Louisiana teachers.

In addition to education, Community Coffee gives back to military service members and disaster relief while being a proud founding member of World Coffee Research.

To view the “Generations’ campaign, click here. To learn more about Community Coffee, visit www.communitycoffee.com.

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The declaration, signed by Melissa Duncan, executive director of Fairtrade International, and Jeroen Douglas, the Director General of ICA, has solidified the organisations’ commitment to work together to advance the principles of democracy, empowerment, economic prosperity and distribution, and the convergence of economic, social, and environmental components of development.

The announcement was made during ICA’s General Assembly held in New Delhi, India this week. Tone Cecilie Faugli, the CEO of Fairtrade Norway, together with Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers CEO Erwin Novianto and Fairtrade certified cooperatives are participating in the event.

“We’re excited to launch this partnership with ICA as we embark on this shared opportunity to leverage our strengths and work together to build strong cooperatives that achieve better, fairer, and more dignified labour relations. Successful cooperatives are the lifeblood of Fairtrade and essential for sustainable global trade,” said Melissa Duncan, Fairtrade’s Executive Director.

“This declaration cements our joint efforts towards creating impactful change for cooperatives worldwide,” said Jeroen Douglas, Director General of ICA. “Together, ICA and Fairtrade International will drive forward initiatives that support cooperatives in their sustainable business case though fair pricing. Only a price tag on fair wages, clean water, gender inclusion and the pure air we breathe will transform our economy to the needs of communities.”

Fairtrade International and ICA, both EU Financial Framework Partnership Agencies, have had fruitful collaboration in the past on policy influencing, evidence gathering research, and the sharing of best practices focusing on the management of sustainable supply chains and people-centred business models. Advocacy work on cooperatives’ priorities include the EU Deforestation Regulation and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directive. ICA and Fairtrade are also both members of the EU’s Global Gateway Dialogue Platform.

The partnership agreement will now facilitate closer co-operation between ICA and Fairtrade International on emerging areas of expertise needed, such as cooperative legal frameworks, agroecology, climate change, youth inclusion, gender equality, among others. It will contribute to strengthen both organisations’ work on promoting inclusive and sustainable cooperatives and their communities through wealth creation and redistribution, democracy, empowerment. It will also advance efforts towards an ever-increasing convergence between the economic, social, and environmental components of development.

Under the flagship of the UN International Year of Cooperatives, this partnership is expected to enable more cooperatives and their members to realise sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential, and decide on their future, given the growing risks and challenges they face.

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Brave Bean Coffee, a service-disabled veteran owned business, is excited to announce the launch of its e-commerce site, making its ethically sourced, premium coffee blends available to coffee lovers worldwide. This expansion allows Brave Bean to further its mission of giving back to those who have given so much.

• The First Responder
• Sergeant’s Sip Espresso
• Twilight Tonic

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Starting Wednesday, 27 November 2024, and running through to Cyber Monday on 2 December, Costa Coffee is offering customers the chance to enjoy up to £15 free when purchasing a gift card or eGift online during this period.

Customers who purchase a £20 – £39 gift card or eGift will receive an additional £5 FREE to spend in any Costa Coffee store nationwide. The offer extends to higher-value gift cards too:

• £40 – £59 gift cards/eGifts: Get an additional £10 FREE
• £60+ gift cards/eGifts: Receive a generous £15 FREE

To take advantage of this offer, simply visit gifting.costa.co.uk to purchase a gift card/eGift card to receive a free festive bonus.

It’s the ideal way to treat a loved one, say thank you to a friend or colleague, or even spoil yourself, especially with Costa Coffee’s limited-edition festive range of food and drinks are now available in stores such as the new Caramel Nutcracker drinks range, the new Berry Red Velvet Mini Loaf, or the Brie and Cranberry Toastie.

Don’t miss out – this limited-time Black Friday offer starts Wednesday, 27 November 2024 and ends on Monday, 2 December 2024.

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The promotion includes classic espresso drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, iced lattes, and iced americanos.

To redeem the offer customers have to download or open the Matto app on their smartphone, select an espresso drink of choice from the $3 menu, and apply the exclusive National Espresso Day discount to enjoy the beverage for only $2.

“We’re thrilled to give our loyal customers a little extra something special for National Espresso Day this year,” said Matto’s co-founder Jennifer Maman. “It’s the perfect time to try something new or enjoy a favorite espresso drink at an unbeatable price — all while using our app for a fast and easy experience.”

Matto fans can also look forward to exciting news in December. The company is preparing for its next grand opening at Rutgers University, further expanding its reach and impact within university networks, as well as the larger New York community. Students, faculty, and visitors alike can soon enjoy the signature Matto experience right on campus.

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The above quote is from Chris Costagli, vice president of food insights lead at Nielsen IQ (NIQ), during his recent National Coffee Association (NCA) webinar, “Mastering Omnichannel Sales in the Coffee Industry” in which he informed attendees that more than half of all food and beverage unit sales originate in the food channel, but in the past year, 3.6 billion units disappeared from the in-store food channel, 67% of which was due to lost sales. Furthermore, the in-store food channel lost 2.41 billion units that completely disappeared from the FMCG industry altogether.

The lost sales can be attributed to consumers:

• Scaling back to reduce spending
• Buying less due to GLP-1s (weight loss drugs)
• More away-from-home consumption

Rising food prices remain top of mind for shoppers so they are buying less. Costagli said the F&B sales in the food channel have trended negatively over the past few years, falling 1.8% in the last year. As such, consumers are taking action to manage spend, and most shoppers have made changes to how they shop to save money — 87% have changed how they shop to save money, and they are using an average 3.9 strategies to do so (such as switching to lower-priced options, buying their favourite brands only when on sale, buying the brand that is on sale, buying essential items only, etc.).

And while 67% of in-store food channel unit loss is due to discontinued purchases, 34% of in-store food channel lost units are unaccounted for. Costagli explained that the ‘lost units’ shifted to other channels, the majority of which were purchased online. “Those shifting trends plus online growth underscore the importance of an omni strategy,” he said, adding that online sales grew 17% over the past year, driven by growth in every department across the store.

Consumers are shopping online – 85% order from pure play online retailers for home delivery and 69% order delivery from hypermarket, supermarket, mass stores – and they are experimenting with emerging retailers like TikTok. “The power of social media is significant and is something that should be used in omnichannel marketing,” Costagli said, adding that consumers using TikTok Shop are being introduced to new brands they did not already know, creating opportunity for some manufacturers and more competition for others. He shared that 62% of TikTok users are familiar with the TikTok shop experience and another 62% of TikTok users are open to making a purchase through TikTok Shop.

In online outlets like TikTok, influencers can have a huge impact, so Costagli suggested brands/manufacturers should lean into social platforms to drive awareness and capitalize on viral opportunities. During the webinar, he highlighted several ‘coffee influencers’ such as Morgan, the 2022 U.S. Barista Championship winner who is teaching 6.2 million TikTokers how to create the best coffee, while Cosette, a TikTok creator who has grown her page to 781.7K followers by sharing how she makes barista-style lattes at home for a fraction of the price.

Social shopping is in its infancy but already its showing strong signs of growth. NIQ revealed that shopping on TikTok generated >$2 billion in CPG sales over the past year. Health and performance food products account for nearly a quarter of TikTok food sales, driven by influencers showcasing health and wellness products.

Gen Z shoppers are more likely to be using third party apps to shop online and they believe AI-enabled tools provide helpful benefits that support their shopping needs. Hence, the smartphone’s role in shopping is evolving and influencing decision making more than ever. “Shoppers are turning to AI for everything from meal planning to diet advice and party inspiration. AI has the potential to influence what consumers buy and where they shop. Within seconds ChatGPT can give consumers product recommendations, suggestions on where to shop and much more,” Costagli explained, adding, “that has real implications for retailers and manufacturers: is AI recommending your brand or your stores?”

Simplicity and trust are paramount when it comes to shopping online. And with only eight seconds to engage online shoppers, it is critical that product information is accurate with the most important callouts. “Above all else, the online shopping experience must be optimized for a ‘Mobile First’ consumer,” said Costagli. NIQ research found that when shopping online:

• 77% of shoppers expect the online product titles to be more specific and transparent,
• 76% of shoppers prefer to have enhanced product content available when purchasing online,
• 90% of online buyers say that primary image quality is the most important factor in an online sale.

Costagli advised brands/manufacturers to create the perfect online store by partnering closely with retail partners and to drive online performance through availability, visibility, and content attractiveness. “Getting the online experience right for shoppers translates into growth.”

Coffee benefitting from the omni space — in fact, a quarter of coffee is sold online. Costagli shared that retailers sold nearly $6 billion worth of coffee online over the past year, up approximately 13%.

“The limits are endless, there are so many options online,” he said. “An omni strategy for coffee can tap into subscription services and direct-to-consumer and can benefit from a strong social media presence. Social media platforms like TikTok Shop are exposing consumers to brands and varieties not found in traditional retailers. This means that the competition for manufacturers is even stronger, including competitors that might not be on your radar.”

Meeting consumers online is a valuable proposition for retailers and manufacturers alike. Consumers are spending more online for coffee than they do in-store and they are buying more. Furthermore, online coffee shoppers are buying more units per occasion which suggests more variety seeking. Costagli advises retailers and manufacturers to promote incremental unit purchasing with wider selection and with purchase incentives.

According to NIQ, non-traditional channels are showing 31% growth in units per shopping occasion. Like TikTok Shop, non-traditional online channels are giving shoppers variety. For coffee drinkers, this means new experiences and flavours. For manufacturers this underscores the importance of innovation, especially in traditional retail both online and off.

Online coffee buyers are more affluent than those who buy coffee in brick ‘n mortar stores. Gen X, millennial and Gen Z consumers all engage differently so it’s essential to know your customer base, said Costagli and asked, “are your brands optimized online to reach coffee buyers where they are?”

No matter the type of site, it’s a fact that consumers are buying coffee online. To find success online, Costagli stressed that manufacturers must prioritize optimizing their search engine visibility and strengthening their social media presence to stay competitive and drive sales. “Navigating today’s market requires a relentless focus on the consumer.”

Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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“Nestlé is a strong company with global reach, exceptional demand generation and in-market capabilities. We have a diverse and strategically well-positioned product portfolio. Our iconic brands and innovative products connect with people every day, at every stage of their lives. These strengths give us a unique advantage and position us to win in the marketplace. We will now invest further in our brands and growth platforms to unlock the full potential of our products for our consumers and our customers,” said Laurent Freixe, Nestlé CEO. “Our action plan will also improve the way we operate, making us more efficient, responsive and agile. This will allow us to deliver value for all our stakeholders. I am confident that we can deliver superior, sustainable and profitable growth and gain market share, while transforming Nestlé for long-term success.”

Nestlé’s action plan is designed to allow the company to drive category growth and improve market share performance. Actions will include targeted investments in winning brands and growth platforms, more focused innovation activities to drive greater impact, and systematically addressing underperformers. Nestlé will step up investment in advertising and marketing to support growth. The necessary resources will be generated through cost savings and growth leverage.

In addition to the ongoing programs, Nestlé aims to deliver incremental cost savings of at least CHF 2.5 billion by the end of 2027 through key initiatives across procurement, commercial investments and structural costs. The company will also accelerate its digital transformation to be a real time, end-to-end connected enterprise, powered by data and artificial intelligence. It is additionally ensuring that sustainability is embedded into its activities.

As part of the action plan to drive operational performance and unlock potential, Nestlé’s water and premium beverages activities will become a global standalone business under the leadership of Muriel Lienau, head of Nestlé Waters Europe, as of 1 January 2025. The new management will evaluate the strategy for this business. This will include exploring partnership opportunities to enable Nestlé’s iconic brands and growth platforms to achieve their full potential.

Nestlé’s strategy includes accelerating its categories through expanding existing strengths, such as expanding its most successful brands and increasing exposure to growing channels. Within coffee, targeted growth areas include out-of-home coffee, ready-to-drink coffee, and cold coffee concentrates.

Nestlé said its action plan will allow the company “to deliver superior, sustainable and profitable growth.” In the medium term, organic sales growth is expected to be at 4% plus in a normal operating environment, with an underlying operating profit margin of 17.0% plus.

Nestlé confirmed 2024 guidance, with organic sales growth of around 2%, underlying trading operating profit margin of around 17.0% and underlying EPS broadly flat in constant currency. Looking ahead to 2025, Nestlé expects an improvement in organic sales growth compared to 2024, with the underlying trading operating profit margin anticipated to be moderately lower than the 2024 guidance.

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The escalating prices prevent more active growth of the industry and lead to the change in preferences of many local consumers with more of them beginning looking for cheaper products. Euromonitor International analysts confirm this, noting that current negative economic factors may lead to stagnation of both tea and coffee sectors of Germany in the middle term.

Lina Sidorenke, a senior analyst with Euromonitor International, said, “[According to our data,] inflation, a prevailing concern in Germany, is exerting a considerable influence over consumer behaviour. The prices of daily essentials, including coffee, have witnessed upward spirals, prompting consumers to be more judicious in their purchasing decisions.”

She said that the impact of inflation is visible in coffee, where consumers are increasingly opting for cheaper brands and exploring discounters to address rising costs. “Rising prices have encouraged many brands and retailers to offer promotions and discounts to drive up volumes. Still, despite the increasing prices of food and beverages, German consumers remain loyal coffee drinkers, as coffee is part of their everyday routines, thereby supporting positive retail demand at present.” Euromonitor reports that sustainability in coffee remains a dominant theme both for consumers and brands. For example, single serve coffee capsules have come under scrutiny for their contribution to environmental waste. According to the global market research firm, several players have introduced compostable packaging solutions to address these concerns. Effectively communicating these sustainability features has become paramount, as consumers increasingly seek eco-friendly coffee products.

Sidorenke explained that “the demand for fresh coffee beans is on the rise in Germany and continues to pose a threat to coffee pods and/or capsule machines. There is increasing availability of fully automated coffee machines that can actually compete with single-serve solutions, both in terms of price and taste.” She said in the long term, an increasing number of consumers are expected to switch to fresh coffee beans, especially as they are perceived as offering a richer coffee experience.

Mintel, shares the same view, noting that due to cost issues more and more German customers prefer to consume coffee at home instead of visiting cafés. A recent report from the global market research firm states that given the current economic backdrop, the reintroduction of 19 percent VAT and the overall strained financial situation in Germany, many consumers are trying to bring the café feeling home.

According to Mintel, most local customers are turning to inexpensive products and blends that are based on barista-made coffee. Instant coffee and coffee blends are the perfect solution for coffee lovers who are careful with their money. Mintel analysts believe that in the short term, this ongoing financial pressure on households holds further potential for more cost-effective formats. Companies can take advantage of changing consumer behaviour. Younger target groups in particular respond to barista-made coffee drinks at home. Both analysts and local coffee companies said this may all be good news for coffee brands, but the situation is highly problematic for cafés.

Cafés had a tough time during the pandemic due to constant closures. And now they are once again feeling the pressure of rising living costs, which are being exacerbated by the reintroduction of 19 percent VAT in the hospitality industry of Germany.

At the same time, they are threatened by outlets that do not specialise in coffee. For example, percent of consumers actually buy their coffee from a bakery or retailer, not in a café. Due to ongoing income pressures, more local consumers have become disloyal to their coffee brands, which created serious problems even for some major local players. Furthermore, the market is highly competitive and highly fragmented.

Premium brands in particular have been hit hard. And even the market leader Nescafé, which continues to lead the instant coffee segment, has been faced with downward trend. Some leading representatives of the German coffee sector shared that the ever tightening regulations along with climate change may lead to the decline of production of some coffee varieties.

Thomas Eckel, coffee sommelier and owner of the Murnau Coffee Roastery, one of the largest roasteries in Bavaria, in an interview with German Meininger business paper, said the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which aims to keep products linked to deforestation off the European market will  oblige companies to prove that their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation and that environmental, labour and human rights are respected. That may create some problems for the industry, as all of the companies will require support from farmers.

Eckel has also expressed some serious concerns about the effects of climate change on the entire industry and German coffee producers. “Coffee is one of the agricultural products most affected by climate change. We should take this very seriously. In general, we will definitely not drink coffee the way we do today in 2050. Many cell-based coffee products are also coming onto the market. These will help to close the gap in coffee supply.”

The current market challenges are putting additional pressure on leading German coffee manufacturers and could be associated with serious losses for them already in the short-term. In contrast to previous years, they will be unable to increase prices for their products to compensate their losses due to recent
accusations in price fixing.

For example, at the beginning of the current year, the local trading company Bartels-Langness accused Melitta of having formed a Germany-wide coffee roasting cartel with competitors Dallmayr, Kraft Foods (now Mondelez) and Tchibo between 2002 and 2008, which agreed on coffee prices. During this period, Melitta is said to have charged prices that were around 11 percent too high. Most of the companies declined to comment, however all of them believe the pressure from regulators on the market will continue to grow in Q4 of this year and in 2025.

Tea Struggles but Shows Resilience

Euromonitor’s Sidorenke added that similar to coffee, inflation is impacting Germany’s tea sector. “As inflation drives up the cost of everyday essentials, including tea, local consumers are making thoughtful choices in an attempt to manage their expenses. One prominent shift is towards private label and
discounters, where cost savings become paramount. Established tea brands are
responding by offering competitive promotions and discounts to retain their share.”

She said that at the same time, it would appear that the medium-priced segment is struggling the most, as consumers either turn towards cheaper options or they can still afford their favourite premium brands. “Although the cost-of-living crisis is forcing many consumers to reduce their expenses, tea remains popular, especially as it is considered a natural remedy to strengthen one’s immune system or simply for staying hydrated throughout the flu season.”

Germany-based tea manufacturers also said the existing problems seriously complicate their further development. Dirk Wollenhaupt, managing director o, which imports and blends teas, said the current situation remains complex, however the company sees potential for its further growth that will be achieved by the rise of efficiency of

Due to escalating costs, more German consumers are drinking coffee at home rather than in cafés.  “The German tea market is currently restrained and challenging. However, we expect a positive development in the medium term. The market has changed and the challenges have increased. In order to meet these challenges, we have adapted our processes and implemented many measures to increase efficiency,” he said, adding that being a producer of tea blends, Wollenhaupt has pursued a strategy of operational excellence over the past few months and orientated all processes towards being able to optimally serve its customers.

“The aspect of rapid availability and reliable, punctual delivery is extremely important in the tea market. We have invested intensively in the training and development of our staff and optimised production processes. In addition to
these measures, we have strengthened our sales activities with a sales office in the USA for the North American tea market,” Wollenhaupt explained.

Despite the existing problems, in its latest report Tee Report 2024, the German Tea & Herbal Infusions Association (GTHIA) revealed that most of local players have been able to adapt to the current realities of complex economics. Per the report, most medium-sized and family-run German tea companies were able to
consolidate and some even expanded their economic success in 2023-2024. The GTHIA said this was mainly due to their high-quality and innovative range, which enjoys big demand both in the domestic market and abroad.

The report finds that even though per capita consumption fell slightly in 2023 versus 2022, tea manufacturers have been able to record increasing sales. The GTHIA believes that is a sign of the strength of the German tea industry, noting that new, innovative products such as cold brew teas or functional teas, manufacturers are arousing the desire, especially among younger target groups.

Optimism for Future Growth

Even with the tough economics, most local producers and analysts expect that both coffee and especially tea sectors of Germany will resume its growth in the mid-term. On the product side, Dirk Wollenhaupt said there is the ever increasing demand for functional teas, ie, teas with additives such as melatonin, minerals and vitamins, and have greatly expanded our range in this area. “Other trends that we are observing in the German tea market and can serve with our products are wellness teas, iced teas, milk teas and mocktails with tea. The demand for high-quality green teas is also increasing. Sales of matcha in particular continue to grow in Germany due to its wide range of applications. With our partner in Japan and an extensive, high-quality range, we are very well positioned and are now one of the largest suppliers in Germany.”

He added that even though tea consumption in Germany fell slightly in 2023 compared to 2022, it remains at a high level. “Due to numerous new applications as an ingredient, as a beverage base or as a cocktail, we firmly believe that tea consumption will continue to rise in the medium term.”

As for coffee, most of local analysts expect the segment of caffeine-free coffee will provide a serious impetus for growth for the entire German coffee sector already during the period of 2024-2025. Mintel analysts report that more than half of 16 to 24-year-olds would welcome a larger range of caffeine-free products and would also be willing to pay more for such alternatives. This offers companies and brands opportunities for innovation in the area of low-caffeine and caffeine-free alternatives, for example in thecdrinking chocolate and tea segment.

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The Colombian Milds and Other Milds decreased by 0.8% and 0.6%, reaching 277.10 and 276.82 US cents/lb, respectively, in October 2024. The Brazilian Naturals also depreciated, decreasing by 0.5% to 255.85 US cents/lb in October 2024. The Robustas contracted 8.3% to 221.93 US cents/lb. The New York and London ICE markets were drivers of the contraction, decreasing by 1.3% and 8.2% and reaching 250.62 and 207.11 US cents/lb, respectively.

On 2 October, a press release was published saying that the European Commission “strengthens support for EU Deforestation Regulation implementation and proposes extra 12 months of phasing-in time, responding to calls by global partners.” The news had a bearish impact on the I-CIP, with a market reaction driving the price to 245.29 US cents/lb by 7 October from 263.96 US cents/lb on 1 October. On 16 October, the Council agreed on its position on the targeted amendment of the EU Deforestation Regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months. As a result, if agreed by the European Parliament, the obligations stemming from this regulation will be binding from 30 December 2025 for large operators and traders and from 30 June 2026 for micro- and small enterprises. The news of the agreement by the Council appears to have further added to the downward momentum of the I-CIP, which steadily fell throughout the remainder of the month, closing October at 242.25 US cents/lb. The Brazilian Real was an additional downward factor on the I-CIP, which reached a 3.5 year low against the dollar at 5.81 BRL to 1 USD on 31 October.

The Colombian Milds–Other Milds differential shrank from 0.75 to 0.28 US cents/lb between September and October 2024. The Colombian Milds–Brazilian Naturals differential contracted by 3.5% to 21.25 US cents/lb, whilst the Colombian Milds–Robustas differential expanded by 48.3% from September to October 2024, averaging 55.17 US cents/lb. Meanwhile, the Other Milds– Brazilian Naturals and Other Milds–Robustas differentials moved by -1.5% and 50.6% to 20.97 and 54.89 US cents/lb, respectively. The Brazilian Naturals–Robustas differential grew by 123.6%, averaging 33.92 US cents/lb in October 2024.

The arbitrage, as measured between the London and New York futures markets, expanded 54.2% to 43.50 US cents/lb in October 2024, marking its highest point in four months. This trend reversal could signal how the market is reacting to longer term higher Robusta prices, where the downward adjustment of the Robustas seems to be stronger in relation to the Arabicas, reflecting that the Robustas may have been overvalued. Furthermore, in September 2024, the Robustas grew month-on-month at a much faster rate than the Arabicas – 12.8% versus 6.2% – thereby permitting a more aggressive downward adjustment.

The intra-day volatility of the I-CIP expanded by 0.5 percentage points, averaging 11.0% in October 2024. The Colombian Milds’ volatility increased by 0.6 percentage points. The Other Milds’ volatility grew by 0.4 percentage points to 11.4% while the Brazilian Naturals followed the same uptrend, gaining 0.7 percentage points and averaging 12.1% in October 2024. The Robustas’ volatility contracted to 11.2% for the month of October, a 0.1 percentage point decrease. Lastly, New York’s volatility increased by 0.5 percentage points to 12.7% while the London futures market’s volatility also increased by 1.0 percentage points to 13.6%.

Exports by Coffee Groups – Green Beans
Global green bean exports in September 2024 totalled 9.69 million bags, as compared with 7.74 million bags in the same month of the previous year, up 25.2%. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of green beans were up 11.8% to 123.75 million bags from 110.72 million bags in coffee year 2022/23, an absolute increase of 13.02 million bags. This is the biggest annual increase on record, surpassing the previous highest of 9.27 million bags in coffee year 1995/96. The rate and the volume of increase in coffee year 2023/24 are largely a reflection of the base effect of two consecutive years of downturn (of 1.1% and 5.6%), with the world green bean exports falling from 118.66 million bags in coffee year 2020/21 to 110.72 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. As such, the double-digit increase in coffee year 2023/24 represents a recovery, and not necessarily an expansion, of the long-term trend. Contextualizing, world exports of green beans have been increasing at an average of 2.36 million bags every coffee year between coffee years 2010/11 and 2020/21, while there was an increase of only 1.69 million bags annually between coffee years 2020/21 and 2023/24. The actual exports level is below the potential level of 125.73 million bags.

Shipments of the Other Milds increased by 22.9% in September 2024 to 1.92 million bags from 1.56 million bags in the same period last year. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the Other Milds were up 4.7% to 23.05 million bags from 22.02 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

Green bean exports of the Brazilian Naturals increased in September 2024, jumping by 37.3% to 3.68 million bags. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the Brazilian Naturals were up 22.6% to 41.89 million bags from 34.16 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

Exports of the Colombian Milds increased by 22.3% to 0.99 million bags in September 2024 from 0.81 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the Colombian Milds were up 14.3% to 12.22 million bags from 10.69 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. For coffee year 2023/24, total green beans exports of Arabicas were up 15.47% to 77.17 million bags from 66.68 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

Overall, for the Arabicas, the double-digit growth in coffee year 2023/24 should, like the total green bean exports, be viewed as recovery back onto the long-term trend. Like the total exports, exports of the Arabicas in coffee year 2023/24 followed two consecutive years of negative growth (3.1% and 10.4%) before recording the biggest absolute annual increase on record at 10.29 million bags. Contextualizing, exports of the Arabicas have been increasing at an average of 1.45 million bags every year between coffee years 2010/11 and 2020/21. The potential level of exports is 81.38 million bags.

Green bean exports of the Robustas were up 15.4% to 3.1 million bags in September 2024 from 3.59 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the Robustas were up 6.2% to 46.58 million bags from 43.84 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. It is the biggest annual exports on record and was largely driven by Brazil, which exported 9.02 million bags as compared with 2.84 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. The growth in Brazil’s exports more than compensated the large drop in exports from Vietnam, which shipped 23.19 million bags in coffee year 2023/24 as compared with 26.13 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. The origin, the world’s largest producer and exporter of Robustas, has been struggling with domestic supplies, with production falling below the potential levels due to adverse weather conditions.

For coffee year 2023/24, the Arabicas’ share of total green bean exports increased to 62.4% as compared with 60.4% in coffee year 2022/23.

Exports by Regions – All Forms of Coffee
In September 2024, South America’s exports of all forms of coffee increased by 30.8% to 6.2 million bags. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the region were up 30.7% to 66.13 million bags from 50.59 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. The region’s two largest producers and exporters, Brazil and Colombia, saw their total exports jump by 34.3% and 13.7%, respectively, to 49.03 million bags and 11.91 million bags. For Brazil, these are the largest exports on record. Part of the impetus for Brazil’s growth was the gap in the market created by Vietnam in the Robustas market. Although it is not widely acknowledged, Brazil is the secondlargest Robustas producer in the world, accounting for 32.0% of global supply in coffee year 2022/23.

Exports of all forms of coffee from Africa increased by 14.3% to 1.37 million bags in September 2024 from 1.2 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, exports from the region were up 17.3% to 16.02 million bags from 13.66 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. Ethiopia was the main driver of the region’s double-digits growth, with the origin’s exports up 63.5% to 5.59 million bags in coffee year 2023/24 as compared with 3.42 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. These are the largest exports on record for the origin, and it is also the first time the 5.0 million bags ceiling has been breached. The underlying reason for Ethiopia’s double-digit growth was the resolution of internal contract disputes, which had led to export shipments being delayed in coffee year 2022/23. Once again, contextualization is necessary when analysing the exports of Ethiopia: exports fell in coffee year 2022/23 by 15.0% to 3.42 million bags from 4.02 million bags in coffee year 2021/22, the lowest level since 3.09 million bags in coffee year 2015/16. As a result, the 5.59 million bags should be viewed as a recovery.

In September 2024, exports of all forms of coffee from Mexico & Central America were up 18.1% to 0.9 million bags as compared with 0.76 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the region were down 4.1% to 14.51 million bags from 15.13 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. The downturn was primarily driven by Honduras and Nicaragua, which suffered from decreases of 12.1% and 16.5%, respectively. The former’s exports were hampered by its off-years in the biennial production cycle, while the latter’s exports were negatively affected by the bankruptcy of Mercon Coffee Group in December 2023, a coffee trader and the owner of CISA Exportadora, a company responsible for more than half of Nicaragua’s coffee exports. Exports from Guatemala and Mexico were the two main mitigating positive factors of the region, increasing by 8.6% and 8.9% to 3.28 million bags and 2.97 million bags, respectively.

Exports of all forms of coffee from Asia & Oceania increased by 19.6% to 2.29 million bags in September 2024 as compared with 1.91 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, exports of the region were down 6.7% to 40.62 million bags from 43.54 million bags in coffee year 2022/23. Vietnam, the largest producer and exporter in Asia & Oceania, was the main driving force behind the region’s annual downturn, with its exports decreasing by 11.7% to 24.96 million bags. This is the lowest exports level since 22.03 million bags in coffee year 2014/15. Tightness in domestic supply due to lower production from adverse weather conditions and loss of productive areas to other cash crops, and depletion of local stocks, was the main reason for the double-digit downturn. India was a positive mitigating factor within the region, recording a 10.0% increase in its exports to 6.98 million bags in coffee year 2023/24 as compared with 6.34 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

Exports of Coffee by Forms
Total exports of soluble coffee increased by 24.3% in September 2024 to 1.02 million bags from 0.82 million bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, soluble coffee exports were up 11.6% to 12.82 million bags from 11.48 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

Soluble coffee’s share in the total exports of all forms of coffee for the year to date was 9.3% in September 2024, the same for the same period a year ago. Brazil is the largest exporter of soluble coffee, having shipped 0.37 million bags in September 2024 and 3.89 million bags in coffee year 2023/24.

Exports of roasted beans were down 9.2% in September 2024 to 54,544 bags, as compared with 60,040 bags in September 2023. For coffee year 2023/24, roasted coffee exports were down 0.5% to 0.71 million bags from 0.713 million bags in coffee year 2022/23.

For the full report, visit icocoffee.org.

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The Global Ventures group was established in 2019 primarily to oversee the company’s ownership of Costa, innocent and Dogadan, as well as the company’s investment in Monster Beverage Corp.

“As we look to our next chapter of growth, we have evaluated how to best set ourselves up for future success with these growth areas, and we believe now is the right time to have them work more directly with our operating units,” said Coca-Cola president and CFO John Murphy.

The following changes take effect 1 Jan 2025:
• Costa will remain a stand-alone business and will report to the Europe OU. Costa is based in London, and the majority of the company’s retail and Express outlets are located in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. Costa’s ready-to-drink businesses outside of Europe will report through local operating units.
• Dogadan, a Türkiye-based tea business that was founded in 1975 and in recent years has closely collaborated with the Costa business, will report into Costa’s retail business in Europe. Dogadan has been part of Coca-Cola since 2007.
• Innocent, a 25-year-old, London-based maker of juices and smoothies, will report to the Europe operating unit. Coca-Cola has had an ownership stake in innocent since 2009. Innocent drinks are sold across Europe.
• Oversight of Coca-Cola’s investment in Monster will move to Murphy, while the respective geographies will be responsible for the underlying operations results.

Global Ventures is currently a separate operating segment. Global Ventures will be sunset as part of the reorganization, and the company will issue financials for 2022 through 2024 to reflect the changes. The recast data will be available publicly in early 2025.

The Coca-Cola Company reported on 23 October that net revenues declined 1% to USD $11.9 billion, and organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 9% for its fiscal 2024 third quarter. Operating margin, which includes items impacting comparability, was 21.2% versus 27.4% in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 30.7% versus 29.7% in the prior year. Coffee declined 6%, primarily due to the performance of Costa® coffee in the United Kingdom. Tea grew 7%, driven by growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa.

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Powered by BKON’s patented RAIN technology, Coldstretto stands out as the only packaged extraction that delivers the true flavour of chilled espresso. In 2023, BKON launched the world’s first Genuine Coldstretto Extraction in partnership with Joe Coffee, aiming to revolutionise the cold espresso category. Custom collaborations with prominent roasters using their signature blends have showcased the continued evolution of this multi-channel cold coffee innovation.

Genesis Coldstretto is BKON’s first ready-to-use coffee concentrate available for direct case or pallet purchase, offering small coffee retailers and roasters an accessible way to experience the efficiency and flavour advantage of this innovative extraction method. The program is built for scale with volume-based pricing and private labelling opportunities.

The shelf-stable, ready-to-use format makes it easier than ever to meet the growing demand for cold espresso drinks—from lattes to cold brew. With each 25 oz bottle yielding approximately 30 cold espresso drinks, Genesis Coldstretto delivers barista-quality flavour with minimal equipment or preparation.

By simply pouring or pumping and adding ingredients—like crafting a cocktail—operators can serve premium coffeehouse experiences in any setting, including cafes, restaurants, bars, and event spaces, no espresso machine required. When diluted to ready-to-drink strength, Genesis Coldstretto produces a superior cold brew, allowing customers to elevate their entire cold coffee platform.

Genesis Coldstretto is made using a Central and South American light-roasted blend, extracted to highlight flavour notes of chocolate and red berry. BKON’s patented RAIN technology is known for producing superior coffee concentrates with complex flavours, exceptional clarity, and characteristics not found in other concentrate brewing methods.

“Genesis Coldstretto is not just a product—it’s a solution that allows businesses to deliver high-quality cold espresso drinks with the same flavour integrity and richness as freshly brewed espresso,” said Dean Vastardis, CEO of BKON. “We’ve created a product that makes it easier for operators to meet the growing demand for cold coffee beverages while delivering the flavour consistency that customers expect.”

Genesis Coldstretto is now available for purchase via BKON’s online store with bulk purchase options also available. For more information on Genesis Coldstretto, visit www.bkonbrew.com. Pallets can be ordered by contacting the sales team: https://www.bkonbrew.com/off-the-shelf.

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After hitting a 50-year low in production in 2021/22,Costa Rica’s coffee output has been rebounding. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service estimates total production of approximately 1.44 million 60-kilogram bags of green coffee in 2023/24, which is up over 15 percent from two years ago. This increase is attributed to better plant management, positive initial flowering, and stabilised fertiliser costs.

Costa Rican producers have been actively innovating for the global specialty coffee market. For example, producers are responding to a trend towards increased product differentiation through microlots, which allow them to capture higher sales prices. The number
of coffee mills has increased from 184 in 2011/12 to 304 in 2021/22,with many new micro-mills
servicing small groups of farms.

Despite production increases, the number of coffee growers in Costa Rica continues to decline. As of 2021/22 (the most recent dataset), there were 26,704 farmers, down nearly 50 percent from 10 years earlier. Factors contributing to this decline include long periods of low coffee prices, aging farmers, and high land prices near urban areas.

The industry faces ongoing challenges with labour supply, particularly for harvesting. Most of the coffee harvest depends on large numbers of temporary foreign workers from Nicaragua and Panama. There have been concerns about changing immigration flows affecting labour availability.

Costa Rica’s economy is increasingly shifting towards services, with the tourism, pharmaceutical, and IT sectors growing rapidly. This economic diversification is providing more attractive employment options for the children of coffee farmers, potentially further impacting the future labour supply for coffee production.

The local Costa Rican currency’s depreciation has also negatively impacted the coffee industry.
The exchange rate has reached its lowest point in 14 years, reducing the competitiveness of Costa
Rican coffee on the international market and causing significant financial losses for exporters and mills.

Improving Resilience
Despite challenges, Costa Rica maintains its reputation for high-quality coffee. The country continues to participate in prestigious events like the Cup of Excellence, with some producers making it to the 2023 finals.

Climate change is threatening coffee-growing areas in Costa Rica, specifically the Coto Brus region. By 2050, absent adaptation measures, experts at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, DC maintain that climate change “will reduce the global areas suitable for growing coffee by about 50 percent.” An WRI study outlined key findings from this region, including some of the main challenges facing the coffee sector. It also examined existing factors that present opportunities to enhance climate resilience. The study recommends actions that can be taken to improve the sector’s climate resilience and long-term sustainability.
During the course of their research, the WRI’s team of researchers conducted a literature review, interviews, a workshop and field visits with coffee farmers, government ministries, funders, and other stakeholders.
Despite the study’s local focus, the lessons and experiences shared are relevant for other coffee-growing regions and countries: Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Uganda, among others. These are the places where coffee producers are facing some of the harshest the effects of climate
change, and the researchers hope that it will serve as a tool and inspiration for accelerating adaptation action.

Despite the benefits of medium- and long term planning to accomplish the large-scale transformative changes, WRI’s experts concluded that the coffee sector will need to adapt to intensifying climate impacts. However, they found that most producers are integrating smaller, short-term, incremental adjustments that might not be sufficient in the long term.

WRI developed a program to assist Costa Rica’s government as it mapped out short-term, medium-term, and long-term adaptation pathways that are inclusive, equitable, and participatory. WRI developed a framework which underscores that, in some situations and locations, incremental adaptation measures will prove insufficient in the years to come to fully reduce growing risks from climate change impacts. In these situations, more fundamental, or transformative, changes – which may entail creating pathways toward new systems more suitable for changing climate conditions – will be needed to maintain the communities’ livelihoods in the long term. Such changes will often include shifting the mix of crops grown
and livestock raised in particular areas, employing substantially new technology at broad scale, and/or altering the production landscape from one type to another. The first year of WRI’s technical assistance
effort focused on stakeholder engagement, research, and in-country discussions via workshops to introduce the concept of transformative adaptation and establish a dialogue on climate adaptation, vulnerabilities, and impacts. These discussions were held with coffee producers, cooperatives, ministry
officials, research organisations, financing entities, and the private sector, among others.

Findings from these conversations are being used to inform the drafting of a national coffee strategy.
The focus of the second year of the project focused on the lessons learned from the coffee growing region of Coto Brus to better inform, guide, and finance climate resilience efforts for these communities, while extracting insights for other coffee-growing regions in the country.

Reviving Production in Coto Brus

The Coto Brus district, located in the Brunca region, is one of the country’s eight coffee growing areas identified by the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica (Instituto del Café de Costa Rica; ICAFE) and one of the smallest contributors to national production. Coto Brus was chosen by government counterparts in response to smallholder farmers’ requests for support and because this area has been experiencing a rapid decline in coffee production and is highly vulnerable to climate change. In the second year,
WRI conducted literature reviews, expert interviews, farm visits, and a full-day workshop in Coto Brus with key stakeholders.

By 2050,absent adaptation measures, up to half of the areas currently suitable for coffee cultivation in Coto Brus is predicted to become unsuitable across both low and high emissions
pathways scenarios. (For more details, consult the various research reports and studies published by Oriana Ovalle Rivera of the CATIE – Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza – which is located in Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica.) Central areas are projected to be more adversely affected while a few locations are projected to see an increase in suitability.

Efforts to increase Coto Brus coffee farmers’ resilience by addressing the most immediate climate change impacts have begun. However, few farmers incorporate adaptation into their planning and huge implementation gaps persist, despite a broad awareness of sustainable practices. According to interviewees, some farmers are further behind than others — especially smallholders with more limited
resources. Despite the benefits of medium-term and longer-term planning to accomplish the large
scale transformative changes the coffee sector will need to adapt to intensifying climate impacts, most producers and the sector are integrating smaller, shorter-term, incremental adjustments that might not be sufficient in the longer-term.

WRI’s study identified key recommendations to increase the short-term, medium-term, and long-term climate resilience of the coffee sector. The recommendations include:
• Promote adaptation options identified by local stakeholders, provide regular technical follow up, and support farmers in exploring additional medium-term and longer-term measures.
• Establish baselines and monitor the impacts of adaptation measures. Building the evidence of farms’ vulnerabilities while tracking the results of adaptation efforts can help maximise the allocation of limited resources over the short, medium, and long terms and inform where and when transformative pathways will be needed. Transformative pathways are coordinated sequences of short to-long-term actions or projects intended to prepare agricultural systems for unprecedented climate conditions.
• Map when and where coffee is likely to lose viability in the coming decades and explore transformative and equitable pathways toward climate resilience, with stakeholder participation (particularly relevant for MAG, ICAFE, and MINAE). At-risk farmers should be supported to experiment with different crops,
technologies, and even livelihoods like eco tourism that will serve them better over the longer term.
• Reinforce existing institutions and enabling factors to increase the uptake of adaptation measures and build greater resilience in Coto Brus. These include strengthening farmer associations and cooperatives, as well as farmer-to-farmer learning; promoting more strategic cross-sectoral alliances; and strengthening support for programs focused on sustainable practices.
• Develop farmer-tailored skills trainings and guidance to build farmers’ capacities to manage costs and access credit and financing, so they can more easily invest in adaptation measures.
• Create open communication channels within public and private entities to bridge crucial information flow gaps around climate risks, existing vulnerabilities, and options to support the implementation of adaptationmeasures. Providing producers with clear, complete, and practical information on different financing options is also essential.

• Gordon Feller, based in California, travels the world reporting about innovations that can change our economies and strengthen small enterprises. Since 1980 he’s been publishing
  reports and magazine articles about coffee/tea innovations on five continents. He is both an ABE Fellow – Japan Fdn and Global Fellow – The Smithsonian

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Despite cutting back on grocery spending, Chris Costagli, vp/food insights lead, Nielsen IQ, in his “Mastering Omnichannel Sales in the Coffee Industry” webinar for the National Coffee Association (NCA), said that foodservice excluding alcohol sales are expected to approach USD $1 trillion this year, adding that foodservice and drinking places are recapturing share of U.S. food sales. “The trend change was dramatic in 2020; driven by more frequent at-home cooking and panic-induced stockpiling. Foodservice and drinking place sales are recovering and projected to recapture the lead in 2026,” he said. (Costagli noted that inflation and high menu prices have contributed to large growth in foodservice; however, these macroeconomic conditions are causing the growth rate to slow.)

It seems that in today’s stressful climate, away-from-home consumption plays an important role in consumers’ mental wellbeing. Despite inflation, Costagli said that most consumers are going out to eat/drink as least as often as usual. Only a quarter of those who eat/drink out have scaled back on the frequency of visits. There are more consumers visiting more often than usual than there are scaling back. “They are more than places to eat and drink,” he explained, “they are vital gathering spots that foster friendship and connection.”

Nielsen IQ (NIQ) found that one-in-five consumers said they would be lost without bars or restaurants. As such, going out weekly is the norm. Per NIQ’s CGA May 2024 US On Premise Impact Report:

• 63% restaurant/bar visitors make at least one trip a week
• 77% plan to go out to eat in the next month
• 47% plan to go out for a drink in the next month

According to Costagli, ‘treating’ is the main reason for going out more. Of the 29% going out more often, treating and variety seeking are leading motivators:

• I have been treating myself 44%
• There are new places that I have wanted to try 35%
• There have been more events than usual 25%
• I want to support local business 23%
• I have been able to save money recently 21%
• I am visiting while I have enough disposable income 19%

‘Away-from-home coffee’ is already considered an ‘affordable indulgence’ so these latest dining out trends bode well for coffee shops and cafés. At one of his NCA Convention presentations (it may have been the virtual convention in 2022 or the 2023 one in Tampa) Matthew Barry, senior beverages insights manager, at Euromonitor International, spoke about the emergence of two types of coffee shops following the Covid-19 pandemic: those offering convenience (speed, mobile orders, etc.) and those offering an experience.

If one of the primary reasons consumers are drinking and dining out is because these places help “foster friendship and connection,” then those coffee shops favouring ‘experience’ over ‘convenience’ have a real opportunity to solidify their establishment as a ‘go to gathering place’ and attract more consumers by elevating or enhancing their in-store experience, through ambiance, menu options, and of course, customer service.

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The Cup of Excellence (CoE), often referred to as the “Coffee Olympics,” is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Brazil—the birthplace of this prestigious competition. For the international phase, 40 coffee samples from 10 producing regions have been selected and will be judged by 22 esteemed judges from various countries, with a scoring threshold of 87 points or higher.

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Based on a survey across major markets (including the US and Europe), the report analyzes preferences in personalized nutrition services and ingredients like probiotics and collagen. It identifies emerging trends and opportunities for tailored health solutions, such as reduced-carbohydrate products for women and metabolic support items for millennials. Additionally, the report underscores the importance of health claims on packaging in driving consumer purchase decisions, especially in Southern Europe and among younger consumers.

Read more here.

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This announcement marks the exciting continued expansion of Bad Ass Coffee in South Carolina, paving the way for a vibrant presence in the region. The brand plans to open three locations across the Greater Charlotte area, which encompasses the northernmost part of South Carolina, establishing a foothold in a community known for its love of coffee. As Bad Ass Coffee continues to grow its national footprint, company leadership is eager to explore additional opportunities for expansion throughout South Carolina, tapping into the state’s rich coffee culture and demand for premium offerings.

Leading the South Carolina expansion are Doug Epperly, a lifelong coffee enthusiast who has 30 years of experience in global supply chains working with major food brands, and his daughter Abby, a University of Louisville graduate and current MBA student. Abby discovered Bad Ass Coffee while studying franchising at the University and shared her excitement with Doug, who was equally impressed by the brand’s family values and welcoming Aloha Spirit. Together, they aim to create a community hub where customers can relax and connect.

“We fell in love with Bad Ass Coffee not just because we’re huge coffee enthusiasts, but because of the brand’s commitment to building meaningful connections with guests,” said Doug. “We believe in creating spaces where people can relax, enjoy a great cup of coffee, and feel like part of the family. The energy and values of Bad Ass Coffee are a perfect match for us, and we’re excited to introduce this one-of-a-kind experience to our community.”

The brand has been on an upward trajectory since earning a spot on QSR’s 2023 40/40 List as one of America’s hottest emerging fast casual brands. Bad Ass Coffee’s franchise opportunity continues to attract multi-unit operators looking to expand their portfolios.

“We’re very excited to welcome the Epperlys to our Bad Ass Coffee ‘ohana,” said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii.  “From our first introduction, the balance of Epperly’s experience, energy and passion were an obvious fit to partner with us to spread the spirit of Hawaii into South Carolina.  The addition of this new development in Rock Hill, combined with existing development in Myrtle Beach, further demonstrates our commitment to establishing a strong presence throughout the Carolinas,” Snyder said.

Bad Ass Coffee provides a development support system, including teams, technology, and tools to help identify the right territories for expansion, plus expertise in financing, real estate, and construction management, to assist franchisees and multi-unit operators.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1989 with the dream of sharing American-grown, premium Hawaiian coffee with customers everywhere. In addition to premium coffee from the famous Kona region of the Big Island, Bad Ass Coffee also sources from Kauai and Maui. Beyond premium Hawaiian coffees, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii serves up a full menu of popular blended drinks, signature lattes, cold brews, teas, innovative foods with a Hawaiian twist, and branded merchandise.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is looking to partner with qualified and engaged individuals seeking multi-unit opportunities. The brand offers an affordable, highly scalable opportunity with strong profit potential. Franchisees can expect a total investment range between $454,200 – 920,500*. As International Franchise Association VetFran members, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii offers veteran franchisees who join a $10,000 discount* off the initial franchise fee.

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“We could not be more thrilled to launch a permanent flagship store in one of the most vibrant cities in the world,” says Darren Marshall, CEO of Smith Teamaker. “The reception to our brand in Japan over the years has been incredible, and we are proud to partner with Toyo Beverage as our exclusive distributor in Japan as we bring the full Smith experience to residents and visitors in Tokyo.”

The Portland, Oregon-based company, founded in 2009 by legendary tea entrepreneur Steven Smith, has spent the past several years building momentum in Japan in partnership with Toyo Beverage, through partnerships with Blue Bottle Coffee, Godiva Chocolate, W Hotels and various Michelin-starred restaurants. After being available in Japan for over 10 years, Smith Teamaker began operating pop-up stores with Toyo Beverage in the prestigious Shibuya Scramble Square in 2022, attracting thousands of visitors with its unique blends of black, green, herbal and wellness teas. It quickly became clear that Tokyo was ready for a permanent Smith Teamaker Tasting Room that would serve customers premium quality teas within an experiential space to savour a quiet moment in the bustle of city life.

“I’m proud to bring the legacy of Steven Smith to the Japanese consumer,” says Douglas Schafer, CEO of Toyo Beverage. “Our team is excited to bring the history and unparalleled quality of Smith Teamaker via this first Tokyo Tasting Room to the exacting Japanese consumer, and uphold the vision of Steven Smith to provide exceptional tea experiences.”

The Tasting Room Experience

From day one, Smith Teamaker has emulated a customer experience more like what one might be accustomed to in a winery: an invitation to slow down, savour, and consider the flavours and aromas in their cup, as well as their provenance. The new Tokyo tasting room does just this, presenting the company’s “garden to cup” ethos as a complete sensory experience: the retail shop has the loose leaf tea displayed under hand blown cloches so customers can experience the complex aromas of the tea as they learn about its origins. The knowledgeable staff is on hand to guide customers and plans to host tea workshops in the future. All of Smith Teamaker’s 30+ tea blends are available to taste in the tasting room, and, taken a step further, are used to craft innovative tea lattes, signature tea flights and food pairings. Of note, the golden light and black lavender lattes are crafted using a “tea-spresso” approach, an innovation developed by Smith Teamaker which uses an espresso machine to extract highly concentrated steepings of herbal infusions and black tea as it would coffee. Finally, tea brewing equipment, glassware, and the teas themselves are available for purchase to recreate the full Smith Teamaker experience at home.

Hand Crafted Details

Smith Teamaker is celebrated for its industry-leading commitment to craft, quality and creativity. The brand often finds inspiration for their collections not from the tea industry, but rather from fellow creators in culinary, beverage, and the arts. This care for craft and uncommon sources of inspiration is evident in the new Tokyo store through not only the beverage offerings but the intricate design details as well. Anchoring the nearly 2,000 square foot retail and tasting room spaces are two custom chochin lanterns, handcrafted by Kojima Shoten in Kyoto, which has been making chochin lanterns by hand for over 200 years. The paper used for the lanterns was made by Nao Tesuki Washi Company using Smith Tea as a natural dye, and pressed tea leaves into the washi paper itself. Additionally, the brand partnered with Big Sand Woodworking to handcraft the boards for its tea flights and displays, and a local designer to craft the sensory cloches.

Exclusive Products

In celebration of the Tokyo flagship opening, Smith Teamaker debuted the first tea in its new “City Series,” teas inspired by iconic cities across the world. Titled “Tokyo Twilight,” the blend is a love letter to the liveliness of its namesake city, featuring an uncommon combination of sencha green tea, green rooibos, cracked juniper, tulsi, lavender and lemon peel. Tokyo Twilight is now available at Smith Teamaker’s Tokyo and Portland tasting rooms, as well as online at SmithTea.com.

Smith Teamaker’s new Tokyo store is located on the 4th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square (Shibuya 2-24-12, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

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This round of updates primarily clarifies and formalises existing practices. Key changes include revised competitor registration procedures and updates to the selection of green coffee provided. Formalised processes have been introduced for measuring coffee colour, using personal notes and hearing protection, and grinding coffee. Competitors are now required to specify the ratio and quantities used in their blend, with penalties introduced for late submissions or incomplete information to emphasize its importance in coffee evaluation. The evaluation process has been expanded to allow more than five descriptors for certain attributes, with adjustments made to how some examples are categorised. Additionally, the appeals and complaints process at both Competition Body and World-level events has been streamlined, now requiring submissions via an online form.

Updates to the rules & regulations are overseen by the WCC Competitions Strategic Committee. The rules documents, summaries of changes, scoresheets, and new appeals form are now available on the new website for the World Coffee Championships: wcc.coffee/rulesregulations.

The 2025 World Coffee Championships this season include:

• Houston World Coffee Championships
o 25-27 April at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, TX, USA
o Featuring the World Coffee Roasting Championship

• Jakarta World Coffee Championships
o 15-17 May at World of Coffee in Jakarta, Indonesia
o Featuring the World Brewers Cup

• Geneva World Coffee Championships
o 26-28 June at World of Coffee in Geneva, Switzerland
o Featuring the World Latte Art, World Coffee in Good Spirits, World Cup Tasters,
and Cezve/Ibrik Championships

• Milan World Coffee Championships
o 17-21 October at HostMilano in Milan, Italy
o Featuring the 25th World Barista Championship

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Joseph Brodsky, founder of Ninety Plus began producing coffee in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, in 2006. Brodsky’s revolutionary “natural process” develops unique flavors within the coffee and when debuted, immediately amazed judges at world competitions, setting off a wave of change in the industry. Ninety Plus coffees have earned the world’s highest accolades and were used to win five of six consecutive World Brewers Cup Championships.

Coffee Support specializes in providing a full range of services including sourcing, toll roasting and cold brew production. It has transformed coffee for business operators – ensuring clients have exceptional products. Both Ninety Plus and Coffee Support share a mission to never compromise on quality.

“Coffee Support is among the best coffee roasting, packing, and logistics operations I’ve seen. It is the perfect partnership to deliver to and support fans of Ninety Plus in the United States,” said Brodsky.

In 2007, Ninety Plus shared the coffee processes it developed in Ethiopia with growers in Panama, initiating an overhaul of specialty coffee processing practices throughout the Americas. Today, Ninety Plus oversees nearly 1,000 hectares in Panama. Eighty percent of that land is under eco-preservation/restoration and 20% is used for cultivation of coffee and reforestation. Ninety Plus is committed to biodiversity in its farms, coffee workers’ quality of life, and innovation of the coffee taste experience. Ninety Plus is among the pioneers of Gesha coffee in Panama.

“We are thrilled to be able to represent and distribute Ninety Plus, one of the world’s leading specialty coffee companies that has been transforming the industry since its inception,” said Jason Kyle, CEO of Coffee Support. “Ninety Plus cultivates coffees that move you – creating flavorful and memorable experiences.”

Beginning in November, Coffee Support will release several offerings from Ninety Plus. Coffee Support launched in 2021 and has been producing coffee products for specialty coffee brands across the U.S. Coffee Support is an SQF and organic certified facility. You can learn more about the partnership at www.coffeesupport.com/ninetyplus

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