Coffee Around the World — Edition 2
Happy March, fellow coffee lovers.
March ushers in more exciting news in the coffee world - including the final preparations for the upcoming SCA 2024 EXPO in early April. As we look forward to what's in store this month, here's a recap of February 2024.
The Coffee World in February 2024
Robusta coffee experiences record-high price hikes. For the first time in nearly three decades, Robusta coffee has experienced a record-high price increase attributed to increased global demand. Back in October 2021, robusta coffee prices hit their all-time high for the first time in 10 years - although this increase was associated with shipping container shortages due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, the market continued to face this exponential price increase, with prices recorded at an all-time high for the first time in 29 years in January 2024. Prices will stay the same for a while. Several factors contributed to the increasing demand for robusta coffee beans. These include the rise in popularity of specialty coffee blends.
On the other hand, the burdened Vietnamese robusta exports (the world's largest producer of robusta) and Brazil's arid conditions due to climate change (Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of robusta) have fueled a decline in supply. The increased demand and supply shortages due to transportation difficulties linked to East Asia have contributed to the record-high price hikes. The ongoing Red Sea crisis has significantly impacted trade shipping routes and supply chains that connect the East Asian region to Europe and North America.
(Source: Perfect Daily Grind)
Just weeks after a triumphant lawsuit win filed by Hawaiian coffee farmers, lawmakers in Hawaii introduced a bill to protect the prized coffee. Hawaiian lawmakers have launched a bill that enforces strict coffee labeling to deter retailers and other coffee sellers from mislabeling their coffee. This move comes just a few weeks after a lawsuit filed by Hawaiian coffee farmers who alleged dishonest practices by coffee sellers that label blends as the prized "Kona" coffee. As a result, the farmers won the US$33 million lawsuit that penalized over 20 companies named in the suit.
(Source: Hawaii State Legislature and MauiNow)
Fairtrade shared updates in Coffee Standards earlier in February to help curb further damage done by deforestation. According to the organization, the updated standards foster more practices of preventing deforestation, monitoring, and mitigation by certified producers and traders. These updates are based on the European Union's Deforestation Regulation that was passed in June 2023.
(Source: Fair Trade)
Product Launches, Mergers and Acquisitions in February 2024
The revolutionary coffee brewer maker AeroPress, announces the launch of the limited edition Clear Pink Brewer. The Clear Pink Brewer joins the company's newly introduced limited-edition brewers list. The brewer is made from the brand's signature transparent, shatterproof Tritan™ material and comes with a unique 3-in-1 brewer technology - affording you several brewing methods within minutes.
(Source: Aeropress)
Great news for coffee lovers who happen to be fans of Robert Downey Jr. Rober Downey Jr. has partnered with entrepreneur Craig Dubitsky to launch happy™ Products. According to the brand, it aims to "help consumers rediscover the magic in everyday life" through its products. The products are 100% arabica coffee - and come in light, medium, and dark roasts - in whole bean, ground, instant coffee, and coffee pods.
(Source: Sprudge and Happy Products)
If you were on the market for a coffee machine that's a beast in performance and design, what you are looking for may have just hit the market. In collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, the ECM has released a special edition of the Synchronika Espresso Machine and S-Automatik 64 Grinder. According to the makers, the espresso machine is built with "performance that meets design." The impressive machines feature elegant, contrasting brushed stainless steel housing, retro-style black and red pressure gauges, and superior professional brewing power.
(Source: Communicaffe and ECM)
Ally Coffee adds another coffee beverage offering to its product lineup. The curated green coffee purchasing platform has added Colombian Galeras Decaf sourced from farms around the Galeras Volcano near Nariño. The coffee then undergoes ethyl acetate decaffeination and is sold in small green or roasted samples or 25 lb of green coffee.
(Source: Ally Coffee)
The black-owned coffee brand Win Win Coffee will launch CoffeePLUG - a B2B platform for farmers and buyers. CoffeePLUG is a B2B platform intended to cut out the middlemen regarding the coffee supply chain. The platform will make it easy for buyers to connect directly with farmers to get the best deal while farmers earn more.
(Source: Technical.ly)
Pilot Coffee Roasters has acquired Bridgehead Coffee from Aegis Brands for a figure of US$2.6 million (C$ 3.5 million). Through the acquisition, the Canadian brand now has control of Bridgehead Coffee's roasting facility, wholesale channel, and 22 retail stores.
(Source: Ottawa Citizen)
Unusually Interesting January Coffee News
Coffee lovers who closely follow up on climate change trends will love this news about Liberica coffee's viability. The YouTube channel Context released a short documentary in mid-February exploring Liberica coffee's potential comeback due to its potential to survive climate change. The short documentary further explores how climate change affects the growth and production of the world's most prized coffee varietal, Arabica.
(Source: YouTube)
Projected Coffee Trends
Cold brew and harmful bacteria, is there a risk? The study by researchers at the University of Georgia found that bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes, can grow in cold brew even when it has just been brewed. However, cold brew lovers do not have to quit the drink or throw out their do-it-yourself cold brew pitchers; researchers have not found that bacteria will grow in cold brew if it is not already present. If brewed at home, wash your hands and all the equipment being used, and remember that cold brew coffee is safest stored in the refrigerator.
(Source: University of Georgia)
Important Coffee Dates and Events for March 2024
Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) 2024 Expo Registration is now open.
The Specialty Coffee Expo is North America's most significant B2B specialty coffee event and will take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago from April 12th to 14th this year. Further, the SCA North American EXPO allows participants to sign up for various other activities, including the Best New Product Competition, on a rolling basis. You can find out more about the event on the SCA website.
Meet the Best Professionals in the Danish Coffee Market at the Danish Coffee Festival
Grab your chance to meet Denmark's best cafes, roasters, and equipment suppliers at the Danish Coffee Festival. The festival will occur from Friday, March 1st to Sunday, March 3rd, from 7 AM to 10 AM at the Marketenderiet in Copenhagen, Denmark. Sample the best coffee from exhibitors and the best participating baristas. During the festival, you will also get the chance to experience Denmark's top baristas competing for a chance to be champions in Cup Tasters, Barista, and Brewers Cup Champions.
Coffee Value Assessment course for Dubai Cuppers
For cuppers, you can use the upcoming Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) course. The 2-day professional update course will teach coffee professionals and cuppers to familiarize themselves with SCA's new quality evaluation tool. The course includes lectures, discussions, and several cupping sessions. It takes place at the Victoria Arduino and Nuova Simonelli Experience Lab in Dubai, UAE, from Tuesday, March 5th to Wednesday, March 6th, at a fee of 600 Euros. You can learn more about the course through the SCA link above and how to get a special discounted rate.
Producer Roaster Forum to Host the Guatemala Coffee Forum and Championships
Producer Roaster Formu (PRF) is hosting a two-day coffee forum in Guatemala from Thursday, March 7th to Friday, March 8th, in Central America. PRF will host three unique coffee roasting contests during the two-day forum, including the first-ever Global Coffee Roasting Content, the 4th Cold Brew Coffee Championship, and the all-new French Press. The event's main objective is encouraging Latin American coffee professionals to participate in such competitions. International roasters can take part in the Global Coffee Roasting Content. You can learn more about PRF's work here.