Category: News

Registration for the eagerly anticipated 2024 UAE AeroPress Championship is now open, inviting coffee enthusiasts and baristas from across the region to showcase their brewing skills. The championship, set to take place in Dubai from August 1 to 3, promises to be a highlight for coffee lovers, offering a platform for both amateur and professional brewers to compete using the AeroPress.

Championship Registration Details

• Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah: Opens July 15th, 9am – 5pm
• Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah: Opens July 17th, 9am – 5pm

Competitors can register via the @uaeaeropress Instagram page or the official website.

Each Emirate will accept up to 81 competitors on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Competition Format and Rules

The championship follows a multi-round elimination format. Participants have five minutes to brew their coffee using an original or clear AeroPress, presenting their brew in identical cups for a blind tasting by the judging panel. The best cup in each round advances, with competitors eliminated until a champion is crowned.

Key Guidelines for Competitors

• Device Specifications: Only original or clear AeroPress devices are allowed, including the chamber, plunger, and filter cap. Custom-painted devices are permitted if unmodified.
• Filters: Any type of filter fitting inside the original filter cap can be used.
• Accessories: Various tools and accessories, such as grinders and scales, are allowed as long as they comply with competition rules.
• Ingredients: Only ground coffee and water are permitted. Up to 18 grams of coffee can be used to produce at least 150 grams of brewed coffee.
• Judging: Judges will conduct blind tastings, with the head judge making the final decision in case of a tie.

Pre-Competition and On-Stage Preparation

Before the competition, participants can prepare their equipment but cannot grind coffee or rinse filters until the event begins. During the five-minute competition time, they must grind coffee, prepare their recipe, and brew their coffee within the allotted time.

Important Information for Competitors

Confirmed competitors must pay a non-refundable AED 150 registration fee and collect practice coffees from July 22 to July 24 at Mokha 1450, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. If the national champion cannot attend the international competition, eligibility will pass to the second or third-place winners.

The 2024 UAE AeroPress Championship promises to be an exciting event, showcasing the art and creativity of coffee brewing. Stay tuned for updates and results from this premier coffee competition.

In a monumental boost for Ethiopia’s coffee industry, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, alongside the Ethiopian National Coffee Association and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, unveiled the top 40 contestants in the 4th Special Coffee Tasting Competition. This announcement marks a significant milestone in promoting Ethiopian coffee on the global stage.

Over the past six months, more than 800 small-scale coffee farmers, each managing less than 20 hectares, entered this prestigious competition. Following rigorous evaluations, 150 contestants from Jimma, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Addis Ababa advanced to the next stage. The top 40 farmers, selected based on stringent criteria, will now compete internationally, with their exceptional coffees being auctioned online at the end of August 2024, offering them a chance for premium prices and global recognition.

Top 40 Contestants:

1. Basha Bekele (Jimma)
2. Mathews Lemesana (Hawassa)
3. Bukuto Dure (Dire Dawa)
4. Wondimu Alemayehu (Addis Ababa)
5. Fikadu Assefa (Jimma)
6. Abeba Gezahegn (Hawassa)
7. Dereje Tesfaye (Dire Dawa)
8. Girma Teshome (Addis Ababa)
9. Alemu Tesfaye (Jimma)
10. Kidane Kassa (Hawassa)
11. Eshetu Berhanu (Dire Dawa)
12. Abebe Tadesse (Addis Ababa)
13. Bekele Girma (Jimma)
14. Mulu Tsegaye (Hawassa)
15. Teshome Assefa (Dire Dawa)
16. Getachew Alemu (Addis Ababa)
17. Kedir Mohammed (Jimma)
18. Tsion Gebremedhin (Hawassa)
19. Solomon Asfaw (Dire Dawa)
20. Abreham Mulugeta (Addis Ababa)
21. Kassahun Solomon (Jimma)
22. Genet Bekele (Hawassa)
23. Daniel Fikre (Dire Dawa)
24. Almaz Wubishet (Addis Ababa)
25. Yohannes Getu (Jimma)
26. Lemma Tilahun (Hawassa)
27. Tamiru Alemu (Dire Dawa)
28. Haile Tadesse (Addis Ababa)
29. Zenebe Assefa (Jimma)
30. Kebede Bekele (Hawassa)
31. Tesfaye Ayele (Dire Dawa)
32. Tilahun Tsegaye (Addis Ababa)
33. Melkamu Tesfaye (Jimma)
34. Getnet Kebede (Hawassa)
35. Worku Tadesse (Dire Dawa)
36. Hiwot Alemayehu (Addis Ababa)
37. Meseret Tadesse (Jimma)
38. Dereje Wondimu (Hawassa)
39. Fikru Asfaw (Dire Dawa)
40. Genene Tesfaye (Addis Ababa)

Shafi Umer, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, emphasized the competition’s transformative impact on Ethiopian coffee. “This annual event significantly benefits our farmers and elevates the quality of Ethiopian coffee on the global stage,” he stated.

The competition, modeled after the Cup of Excellence, aims to empower coffee farmers by securing better value for their products. The 3rd Cup of Excellence in 2022 saw Ethiopian coffee earn international acclaim, with prices reaching USD 10 per kilogram.

Economic and Community Impact

USAID’s Deputy Director, Tim Stein, praised Ethiopian coffee’s unique flavors and highlighted ongoing support since 2020, which includes establishing coffee warehouses, a research lab, and training nearly 100 quality graders. These efforts have significantly improved the competitiveness of Ethiopian coffee, raising over USD 7.5 million in revenue.

Coffee, the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy, generates USD 1.5 billion in foreign exchange annually. The competition and international support have enhanced productivity, quality, and market access for Ethiopian coffee farmers, linking them to global buyers willing to pay premium prices.

Hussein Ambo, President of the Ethiopian National Coffee Association, underscored the pivotal role of such competitions in supporting smallholder farmers, particularly women, and enhancing their household income.

Looking ahead, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority aims to achieve USD 1.4 billion in coffee exports in 2024, reinforcing Ethiopia’s position as a global coffee powerhouse. The event also featured notable contributions from partners like Youngto Coffee, whose CEO, Usan Chung, donated a green technology solar system to this year’s winner.

The 4th Special Coffee Tasting Competition not only highlights Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage but also sets new standards for quality and market access, ensuring a bright future for Ethiopian coffee farmers.

The creators of the renowned Coffee Masters and Roast Masters have announced a new addition to the coffee competition calendar: The European Barista Cup (EBC). Set to debut at The Coffee & Hospitality Expo 2024 in Berlin, this event promises to be a landmark occasion for coffee aficionados and professionals alike, celebrating the collaborative excellence of baristas, roasters, and farmers.

A New Benchmark in Coffee Competitions

Taking place on November 13-14, 2024, at the InterContinental Berlin, the EBC will feature a unique and challenging format. Over two days, 12 of Europe’s most talented baristas will compete, each showcasing their skills in partnership with a chosen roaster. The competition aims to highlight the intricate relationships and teamwork necessary to produce exceptional coffee.

The EBC offers a €10,000 cash prize and four prestigious titles:

• Filter of The Year
• Espresso of The Year
• Roaster of The Year
• Barista of The Year

Elevating the Coffee Experience

Participants in the EBC will be provided with accommodation at the luxurious InterContinental Hotel Berlin, ensuring they are well-prepared for the competition. This high-profile event is designed to elevate the status of its winners, offering significant industry recognition and prestige.

“This competition is more than just a test of skill; it’s a celebration of the passion and dedication that goes into every cup of coffee,” said the event organizers. “Winning the EBC will not only bring a substantial cash prize but also invaluable recognition within the coffee community.”

Join the Ranks of the Elite

Applications for the European Barista Cup are now open. Coffee professionals from across Europe are encouraged to apply for this unparalleled opportunity to showcase their talents and gain industry-wide acclaim.

The Coffee & Hospitality Expo 2024, which hosts the EBC, is part of the Allegra European Coffee Symposium, an event known for bringing together the best and brightest in the coffee industry. The Expo will run from November 13-14, 2024, at the InterContinental Berlin.

For more information and to apply, visit the official EBC website.

The American electric car manufacturer Tesla is facing an internal issue regarding tens of thousands of missing coffee cups at its factory in Grünheide, outside Berlin, as reported by the German Press Agency (dpa).

Factory manager André Thierig addressed the matter in an employee meeting on Monday, stating that a total of 65,000 coffee cups are missing. Jokingly, he said, “Statistically, each one of you already has five Ikea coffee cups at home,” referring to a recording of the employee meeting cited by the Handelsblatt newspaper on Wednesday.

Thierig clarified that his comment about the missing cups was not intended as an accusation. He also discussed other topics in the meeting, including the introduction of a new gym for approximately 12,000 employees.

Tesla has acquired many coffee cups for its employees over time, but it remains unclear where they have gradually disappeared to. This issue is not unique to Tesla and occurs in other companies as well. It has not yet been decided whether the cups will be replaced.

Due to the disappearance of cutlery from the small kitchens in the factory, it is no longer provided there. Since then, the car manufacturer has supplied recyclable cups.

Tesla, led by American tech billionaire Elon Musk, opened its only electric car factory in Europe in Grünheide near Berlin over two years ago. Production is expected to expand further, and the approval process has begun in the state of Brandenburg.

The European branded coffee shop market has shown remarkable resilience and growth over the past year. Despite facing economic challenges, the market has expanded by 3.3%, reaching an impressive 45,008 outlets. This growth is a testament to the industry’s adaptability and the unwavering demand for coffee across Europe.

Market Overview

Over the last 12 months, 33 out of 40 major European markets achieved net outlet growth. The market is divided into 26,941 coffee-focused outlets and 18,067 food-focused outlets, with 695 unique branded coffee chains operating across the continent.

Industry Performance

The sentiment among industry leaders is largely positive. According to recent surveys:

• 62% of industry leaders report that current trading conditions in their countries are favorable.
• 72% have seen sales growth over the past year.
• 42% believe that trading conditions will improve in the next 12 months.
• Nearly three-quarters of industry leaders see further growth potential for branded coffee chains in their markets.

Top Chains

The leading chains in the European coffee shop market continue to expand:

• Starbucks: With 3,326 outlets across 26 markets, Starbucks holds a 7.4% market share and has added 161 net outlets.
• Costa Coffee: Also with a 7.4% market share, Costa Coffee has 3,321 outlets across 31 markets, adding 264 net outlets.
• McCafé: Operating 3,102 outlets across 18 markets, McCafé holds a 6.9% market share but saw a net loss of 20 outlets.

Largest Markets by Outlets

The top five markets by the number of outlets are:

• United Kingdom: 10,199 outlets
• Germany: 6,533 outlets
• Russia: 4,837 outlets
• France: 3,796 outlets
• Turkey: 3,115 outlets

Key Consumer Trends

The European coffee shop market is influenced by several key consumer trends:

• The growth of specialty coffee.
• Increased focus on sustainability.
• Heightened price consciousness among consumers.

Pricing Insights

The average price for a 12oz cappuccino across Europe is €3.61. The highest price increases were observed in:

• Turkey: 21.7%
• Portugal: 34.9%
• France: 23.9%
• United Kingdom: 15.6%
• Germany: 10.5%

Country-Specific Insights

Germany

Germany’s market contracted by 1.3% due to economic challenges. However, premium coffee and bakery chains are focusing on improving coffee quality. Pret A Manger has identified Germany as a key growth market, and many bakery-café chains have implemented reusable coffee cup schemes. Espresso House partnered with Autogrill to expand in airports and railway stations, while Coffee Fellows acquired 25 Waynes motorway service station stores.

France

France saw a 2% growth in outlets, led by coffee-focused chains. The specialty coffee segment is gaining traction, especially in Paris, where 59% of consumers consider specialty coffee crucial to café quality. International brands like Saddle Cafe from Dubai and Ralph’s Coffee from New York have entered the market. Le Paris Café Festival attracted over 10,000 visitors in March 2024, and Coutume Café is seeking regional expansion opportunities.

Poland

Poland’s market grew nearly 5% to 1,170 stores and is forecasted to exceed 2,000 outlets within three years. International chains like Starbucks and Green Caffè Nero are expanding. Research shows that 57% of coffee shop customers spend less than 30 minutes in-store, and more than a third prefer self-service kiosks over counter service. McCafé leads the market with a 30% share, and Lagardère Travel Retail has acquired Costa Coffee franchise rights.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

New EU rules coming into force by December 2024 could impact coffee supply and pricing, particularly from countries like Ethiopia. Major companies like JDE Peet’s are already taking action to ensure compliance. The European Coffee Federation has urged for a delay in implementation, and the EU has indicated it might delay the classification of deforestation risk countries.

Industry Challenges

The coffee shop market faces several challenges:

• High operating costs and low consumer confidence in some markets.
• Pressure to demonstrate value-for-money amid rising beverage prices.
• Potential coffee supply issues due to new EU regulations.
• Uncertainty over EUDR implementation and its impact on smallholder farmers.

Market Dynamics

Hungary showed the highest growth at +8.7%, while Spain saw a decline of -4.3%. Convenience and value-focused formats are gaining popularity, and there is an increasing focus on premium and specialty coffee offerings. There is also growing international interest in European markets, particularly for specialty coffee.

The European branded coffee shop market continues to evolve and grow, driven by consumer demand and industry innovation. Despite economic and regulatory challenges, the future looks promising for Europe’s coffee enthusiasts and businesses alike.

Source: Project Café Europe 2024, World Coffee Portal

London, UK – July 9, 2024 – Today, H.E. Mr. Andrei Kelin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom, and Mr. Denis Piminov, Senior Counsellor, visited the International Coffee Organization (ICO) headquarters. The delegation was warmly received by the Executive Director of the ICO, Ms. Vanusia Nogueira, setting the stage for a productive meeting focused on the global coffee sector and the Russian Federation’s process to join the International Coffee Agreement 2022.

During the meeting with Ms. Nogueira, the discussions centered on the current trends and challenges in the global coffee industry, as well as the steps required for the Russian Federation to join the International Coffee Agreement 2022. This agreement, which commenced in 2022, aims to enhance international cooperation in the coffee sector, promote sustainable coffee production, and improve market transparency. It provides member countries with a platform to collaborate on policies that support the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of coffee production and trade.

The International Coffee Agreement 2022 currently has 44 member countries, representing a significant portion of the world’s coffee production and consumption. The inclusion of Russia would further strengthen global efforts to address issues such as climate change, market volatility, and the promotion of fair trade practices.

H.E. Mr. Kelin expressed the Russian Federation’s strong interest in contributing to the international coffee community. He highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by the coffee industry and ensure its resilience and growth.

According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Russia consumed approximately 3 million bags of coffee in 2023​ (ICO)​. This upward trend is expected to continue, with increasing demand for high-quality coffee among Russian consumers.

The Executive Director of the ICO, Ms. Nogueira, welcomed the Russian Federation’s intent to join the International Coffee Agreement 2022, emphasizing that the inclusion of Russia would further strengthen global cooperation and support the organization’s mission to foster a thriving coffee sector. She noted that the agreement plays a pivotal role in addressing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of coffee production and trade.

The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to continue dialogue and collaboration, paving the way for the Russian Federation’s integration into the ICO framework. Both sides acknowledged the significance of this development in bolstering global coffee sector governance and advancing shared goals.

For further information on the International Coffee Organization and its activities, please visit the ICO website.

An extraordinary destination is percolating for coffee enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s love affair with coffee is no secret. Stroll through any street in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Al Khobar, and you’ll find a coffee shop every few meters. Even in smaller towns, these cafes thrive as favorite hangout spots. Now, this rich coffee culture is about to reach new heights with the announcement of a groundbreaking project: Coffee City.

Nestled in the scenic Al Baha region, Coffee City will span over 5.5 million square meters, featuring more than 300,000 coffee trees. This ambitious project is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to boost local coffee production and contribute to economic growth. Coffee lovers, a visit to Al Baha’s Coffee City should definitely be on your radar once it’s completed.

But here’s where it gets interesting. The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture is inviting investors to participate in this project by submitting their bids. This isn’t just a visit to a coffee paradise; it’s an opportunity to be part of its creation. Interested businesspersons have until September 9 to submit their proposals, after which they will be reviewed.

This exciting announcement follows closely on the heels of Saudi Arabia’s decision to rename Arabic coffee to Saudi coffee. The Ministry of Commerce announced last week that this change is part of a broader initiative to preserve cultural heritage and promote Saudi identity.

With the upcoming Coffee City in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia is set to significantly enhance its local coffee production. This project, deeply rooted in the Kingdom’s rich history and culture, is one to watch. In the meantime, grab yourself a cup of coffee and anticipate the brewing magic.