Coffee News Recap, 15 Dec: China overtakes US as the branded coffee shop capital of the world, Finnish researchers develop lab-grown coffee & other stories

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week.

Here are this week’s coffee news stories.

Mon, 11 Dec

SCA announces World of Coffee Panama 2026. The SCA has partnered with the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama and the Panamanian government to expand the World of Coffee trade show to Central America. The event will take place at the Panama Convention Center in October 2026.

Triesteespresso Expo will return to Trieste, Italy from 24 to 26 October 2024. The eleventh edition of the annual coffee event will once again be held at the Trieste Convention Centre, featuring three days of “full immersion in the world of coffee”. The 2023 event attracted over 13,000 visitors.

Nescafé says soluble coffee remains key to recruiting more coffee consumers in Asia Pacific region. The Nestlé company says it hopes to increase coffee consumption and sales in countries like India and China, using soluble coffee as a way to introduce consumers to the wider coffee category.

Suntory BOSS Coffee says iced coffee is the drink of choice for 88% of young Australians. The company commissioned a study that found that around four in five young Australians are “obsessed” with iced coffee, with 61% of the remaining demographic “eager to jump on the bandwagon”.

UK specialty roaster Established Coffee celebrates ten year anniversary. The roaster announced a special release to mark its 10th anniversary. The Finca Kilimanjaro is a washed coffee from El Salvador, with notes of blackcurrant, ruby grapefruit, and nougat. Customers are eligible for a 10% discount on all wholebean coffee and brewing equipment to celebrate.

Quattro R fund acquires 50% of the capital of Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group. The deal will result in a capital increase of US $98 million, helping to bring MZBG back onto the stock market after it withdrew in 2021.

Limited sponsorship opportunities remaining for Australia’s Richest Barista competition. The Melbourne International Coffee Expo is calling on all interested parties to submit applications to sponsor the coffee competition. It says that sponsors will gain “unparalleled visibility” for their brands “in front of the global coffee industry and coffee lovers alike”.

JNP Coffee offers holiday sale on spot coffees from Burundi. The green coffee sourcing company says several of its fully washed and natural lots from Burundi are available at discounted rates to celebrate the holiday season.

Tue, 12 Dec

Potential buyers eye Mercon following bankruptcy protection filing. The company is continuing to trade while Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings are underway. However, five “strategic potential purchasers” have already contacted the company to discuss acquiring its assets.

Nicaragua’s CISA Exportadora closes following Mercon bankruptcy filing. The main marketer of Nicaraguan coffee suspended operations following a bankruptcy protection filing by its parent company, Mercon. The national government says it will support producers with legal measures to ensure the company fulfils its obligations.

China overtakes the US as the branded coffee shop capital of the world. The Guardian reports that China’s branded coffee shop market grew by 60% in just a year, reaching a total of 49,691 stores to overtake the US as the world’s biggest coffee shop market.

Latest Finlay’s Global Beverage Report says 2024 trends include selective spending, mood-boosting beverages, and mindful drinking. The annual report outlines anticipated market trends for 2024, noting that growing consumer interest in functional ingredients will drive “mindful drinking” and sales of “mood-boosting beverages”.

Eversys invites consumers and clients to learn more about its Asia Pacific partners. The fully automatic espresso machine manufacturer has compiled several updates on its partnerships in the region, including stories about Roots, Fore Coffee, Tim Hortons, and Tomoro.

Equator Coffees opens third Southern California café in Laguna Beach. The company has partnered with electric automaker Rivian to open a café at the Rivian South Coast Theatre. The café will serve specialty coffee, signature drinks, and a café menu.

ICO forecasts 5.8% increase in global coffee production in 2023-24 season. The organisation says total output could reach 178 million 60kg bags in the upcoming season, citing shifting trends in arabica and robusta varieties, regional dynamics, and considerations around adverse weather.

Wed, 13 Dec

Yara announces imminent acquisition of Agribios Italiana’s organic-based fertiliser business. Yara says it’s in the process of acquiring the business, adding that the “bolt-on” acquisition will support its organic strategy in Europe. It says it remains committed to promoting regenerative agriculture and improving soil health.

Registration opens for 2024 Specialty Coffee Expo. The SCA says attendees can now register for the event, set to take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, USA from 12 to 14 April 2024.

National Yemen Coffee Auction scheduled for 11 January 2024. The auction features 17 Yemeni coffee lots from several regions, including an anaerobic fermented Ja’adi produced by Mukhtar Hafaz-Allah Ahmed, which received a score of 91 points. Auction samples are available now.

Robusta coffee futures prices reach highest levels in over 15 years. Reuters reports that robusta prices grew by 1.7% to reach US $2,769/tonne, marking the highest price since January 2008. In related coffee news, Brazilian farmers remain reluctant to sell, while Vietnam is beginning to export its most recent crop.

Tim Hortons launches in South Korea. The Canadian coffee chain has opened a store at Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. It adds that it plans to open a total of 150 outlets across the country within five years.

Finnish researchers successfully develop lab-grown coffee. Scientists cultured cells sourced from arabica leaves before freeze drying, grinding, and roasting them to create “lab-grown coffee” that partially mimics some flavours and aromas of conventional coffee.

Cultivated Biosciences develops yeast-based, dairy-free coffee creamer. The Swiss startup says its coffee creamer is made using yeast-based fat, adding that it matches the performance of dairy creamers. It contains no binders or additives.

Thu, 14 Dec

ProfilePrint completes Series B fundraising for its AI ingredient quality platform. The Singaporean company says its platform empowers users to “swiftly identify specialty-grade coffee for export”, among other features. The new funding will help expand into new markets.

Sucafina continues working towards responsible sourcing with IMPACT programme. The company says it’s committed to tackling climate change, deforestation, unsustainable farming practices, poverty, and human rights issues through the programme. It currently includes the IMPACT Sustainability Standard and five clear IMPACT Goals to “drive measurable, positive change”.

Bellwether Coffee partners with The Hagen Project to expand into Europe. The company has announced its expansion into the European market with its first fully-electric roaster installation in the region in collaboration with Hagen, London. It adds that the partnership will pioneer electric roasting in London.

Registration opens for Coffee Technicians Guild Summit 2024. The summit is set to take place at Middleby Innovation Kitchens in Lewisville, Texas on 15 & 16 February 2024, featuring two days of networking, learning, and activities. Early bird tickets are available until 19 January.

Krispy Kreme opens first flagship store in France. The chain has partnered with Wagram Finances to open a flagship store at the Westfield Forum des Halles shopping centre in Paris. It adds that it plans to open several dozen “access points” in France in 2024.

ofi AtSourceV and AtSource+ recognised as equivalent schemes to the GCP’s Coffee Sustainability Reference Code. The Global Coffee Platform has recognised two of ofi’s sustainability management systems as equivalent to its CSRC, second party assurance, noting the company’s dedication to sustainability.

Fri, 15 Dec

CAFEEX Shanghai 2023 set to take place from 29 to 31 December. The third edition of the international coffee expo will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, featuring an extensive exhibition hall, a specialty coffee forum, cupping sessions, and various competitions.

Team We are the 1.33% wins The Barista League Atlanta 2023. Marissa Yoree and Addison Mathis won the multi-disciplinary barista competition, which was hosted at Eventide Brewing on 2 December. Guest judges included Kat Melheim and Anthony Ragler of Black & White Coffee Roasters.

THAIFEX-HOREC Asia set to take place from 6 to 8 March 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The HoReCa expo will feature numerous exhibitions, including the latest products from coffee businesses. It will also host the ASEAN Barista Team Championship.

SIGEP The Dolce World Expo scheduled for 20 to 24 January 2024 in Rimini, Italy. The 45th International Trade Show of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery and the Coffee World will take place at the Rimini Expo Centre, featuring extensive business opportunities, exhibitions, and several competitions.

Cotti Coffee opens first Vietnamese stores. The Chinese café chain has entered its sixth foreign market with three stores in Ho Chi Minh City. It now operates more than 6,000 stores in China alone.

Third Wave Coffee lays off 120 employees just months after securing US $35 million in funding. Reports suggest that the Indian company is restructuring to consolidate its teams, giving redundant employees a choice between immediate departure and two months’ salary or the option to continue working until mid-February 2024.

Greggs opens 500th franchised store in the UK. The café chain has reached its target of 500 franchised UK stores, which now account for around 20% of its total business. It now aims to reach 3,000 total stores in the UK.

Alimentaria 2024 set to take place from 18 to 21 March in Barcelona, Spain. The annual food, drinks, and gastronomy experience will be held at the Gran Via Venue, featuring over 3,000 exhibitors and numerous networking opportunities. Organisers expect more than 100,000 visitors to attend.

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look.

Thu, 23 Nov – co-cre8 launches nationwide paper cup collection and recycling service in the UK. The service is designed for all participants in the paper cup life cycle, regardless of size or volume. The company will also offer businesses guidance on on-site cup recycling.

Thu, 30 Nov – Ripple Foods secures US $49 million in new funding round. The plant-based dairy alternative brand, which manufactures plant milk from yellow peas, has now accumulated US $274 million in funding, aiming to expand into new markets.

Thu, 30 Nov – Allegra World Coffee Portal releases Project Café East Asia 2024 market report. The report surveyed over 4,000 Chinese coffee shop consumers and includes over 300 consultations with leading industry stakeholders in East Asia. It outlines the coffee market forecast for 2024.

Thu, 7 Dec – Fairtrade America forecasts transparency, regenerative programs and private label opportunities in 2024. The organisation says that as businesses continue to adapt to regulations and greater consumer skepticism around greenwashing, “accountability and demonstrable impact for people and planet are more necessary than ever for brands and retailers alike”.

Sat, 9 Dec – Nicaraguan coffee producers form committee to “influence” Mercon’s bankruptcy process. At least 60 producers met on Friday to discuss how Mercon Coffee Group’s bankruptcy process will affect the livelihoods of thousands of coffee workers in the country. The producers intend to take part in “any type of negotiation” to ensure their interests are prioritised.

Sun, 10 Dec – India and Vietnam set to lead Asia’s growth in coffee consumption. According to Euromonitor Asia, coffee consumption is correlated with discretionary income and urbanisation. It forecasts that India and Vietnam will experience consumption growth of 37% and 32%, respectively by the end of 2027.

Sun, 10 Dec – Lavazza partners with Sainsbury’s and Waitrose to bring Cuban coffee to the UK for the first time. Lavazza will distribute its Tierra coffees through the retail chains, aiming to help kickstart the Cuban coffee sector. Despite economic sanctions, Cuba produced more than 7,000 tonnes of coffee during the most recent season.

Coffee news image credits: