Category: News

Addis Ababa, August 9, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) has officially announced that the 22nd African Fine Coffees Conference & Exhibition (AFCC&E) will be held from February 4 to 6, 2026, at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the birthplace of Arabica coffee. This premier event is set to unite over 2,000 coffee professionals, including producers, exporters, roasters, buyers, policymakers, and enthusiasts from across Africa and beyond, to celebrate and advance the continent’s coffee industry.

Organized by AFCA in partnership with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority and the Inter-African Coffee Organization, the 2026 conference will build on the success of previous editions, fostering innovation, sustainability, and market access under the theme “Brewing the Next African Generation.” The event aims to position Africa not only as a supplier of fine coffee but as a global leader shaping the future of the industry.

A Landmark Event for African Coffee

Ethiopia, which last hosted the AFCC&E in 2024, will once again welcome delegates to the Addis International Convention Center, a world-class venue designed to showcase Africa’s rich coffee heritage. The 2024 event attracted over 1,200 delegates, featured 53 speakers, and showcased more than 350 coffees, launching the continent’s first African Coffee Week. The 2026 edition is expected to draw an even larger crowd, with a focus on market access, climate resilience, value addition, and intra-African trade.

“The African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition is more than a conference; it is where business deals are done, ideas are born, and the future is shaped,” said Amir Hamza, AFCA Chairperson. “We aim to position Africa as a global force in coffee, and Ethiopia, as the birthplace of coffee, is the perfect stage for this vision.”

Key Highlights of the 2026 Conference

The 2026 AFCC&E will offer a dynamic program, including:

• B2B Cupping Sessions: Opportunities to taste and evaluate some of Africa’s finest coffees, including winners of the Taste of Harvest Competition, which showcases top-quality Arabica and Robusta coffees from AFCA member countries.

• African Barista Championship: A platform for baristas to demonstrate their skills and elevate the continent’s coffee culture.

• Technical Workshops and Panels: Discussions on traceability, quality standards, sustainability, and innovations in coffee production.

• African Coffee Safari: Field trips to Ethiopia’s renowned coffee-growing regions, offering delegates a chance to engage directly with farmers and experience the country’s coffee heritage.

• Exhibition Hall: A vibrant space for exhibitors to showcase cutting-edge technologies, coffee products, and services, fostering trade relationships and networking with global coffee luminaries.

Gizat Worku, President of the Ethiopian Coffee Association and AFCA Ethiopia Chapter Chairman, emphasized the event’s significance: “Despite being the origin of coffee, Africa hasn’t fully benefited from its global success. This conference is a renewed commitment to closing the gap between origin and market, promoting African coffee globally while ensuring fair rewards for producers.”

Ethiopia’s Role as Host

As one of Africa’s largest coffee exporters, Ethiopia generated over $2.65 billion in revenue from shipping nearly 469,000 tons of coffee in the 2024/25 fiscal year. The country’s unique coffee heritage and its role as the birthplace of Arabica coffee make it a fitting host for this transformative event. The 2026 conference will highlight Ethiopia’s leadership in advancing the continent’s coffee sector while addressing challenges such as weak branding, limited marketing reach, and the need for greater innovation.

Gilbert Gatali, AFCA Executive Director, noted: “The success of our previous event in Ethiopia and the integral role of the Ethiopian coffee sector make returning to Addis Ababa a natural choice. We look forward to welcoming the global coffee community to this vibrant hub.”

Registration and Participation

Registration for the 22nd AFCC&E is now open, with early bird opportunities available for exhibitors, sponsors, and delegates. The event promises a lineup of esteemed international and regional speakers, engaging workshops, and vibrant social events designed to foster lifelong connections in the coffee industry.

For more information on registration, sponsorship, or the conference program, visit the official AFCA website at afca.coffee. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, venues, and additional events, including the African Coffee Safari and side events.

About AFCA

Founded in 2000, the African Fine Coffees Association is a non-profit, non-political, member-driven organization representing coffee sectors in 11 African countries. AFCA’s mission is to promote high-quality African coffees, enhance market access, and drive sustainable development across the continent’s coffee value chain.

The specialty coffee world witnessed history at the 2025 Best of Panama electronic auction, where a washed Gesha (Geisha) coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda in Boquete, Panama, fetched a record-breaking US $30,204 per kilogram. The 20-kilogram lot, scoring an unprecedented 98.00 points from 22 international cupping judges, was purchased by Julith Coffee & Roastery in Dubai for a total of US $604,080.

The Best of Panama is recognized as the most prestigious auction in the coffee industry, drawing elite buyers from around the world. This year’s event featured 50 lots—20 washed Gesha, 20 natural Gesha, and 10 varietals—with 30 lots surpassing US $1,000 per kilogram. The auction’s average price reached US $2,861.20 per kilogram, nearly doubling last year’s figure of US $1,383.72. Over a 12-hour bidding period, a record 18,988 bids were placed, setting a new benchmark for participation and price performance.

Rachel Peterson, co-owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda, expressed deep gratitude for the achievement, noting that the result reflects years of dedication, teamwork, and the shared pursuit of excellence. David Paparelli, CEO of M-Cultivo, which organized the auction, emphasized that the sale further cements Panama’s reputation as a global leader in ultra-premium coffee and opens doors for producers across the country.

For Julith Coffee, the acquisition marks a major milestone. Located in Al Quoz, Dubai, the roastery has quickly gained attention in the UAE’s specialty coffee scene. Head coffee roaster and Turkish Barista Champion Serkan Sagsoz described the purchase as “a true honour and a piece of history,” adding that the coffee will be roasted in extremely limited quantities and offered through exclusive tastings and curated experiences for coffee lovers.

The sale not only showcases Panama’s ability to produce some of the world’s most sought-after coffees but also highlights Dubai’s growing influence as a hub for specialty coffee culture. With this record-breaking acquisition, Julith Coffee has secured its place in coffee history, bringing one of the rarest and highest-scoring coffees ever auctioned to the UAE.

Dubai, August 8, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is ramping up its investment in soft beverages and premium coffee lines as traditional coffee sales show signs of strain under inflationary pressure, volatile commodity markets, and shifting consumer behavior.

In its second-quarter earnings report, KDP announced a 6.1% increase in total net sales, reaching $4.2 billion, with growth largely driven by its U.S. soft drinks portfolio, which posted a 10.5% jump to $2.7 billion. Leading brands such as Dr Pepper, Canada Dry, 7Up, Snapple, and Electrolit contributed to the strong performance.

However, the company’s U.S. coffee segment reported a 0.2% decline in sales quarter-over-quarter, down to $0.9 billion. While price increases helped drive a 2% rise in adjusted operating income to $299 million, the segment saw a 3.6% decline in volumes, reflecting weakened consumer confidence and sensitivity to pricing.

“The U.S. Coffee segment will need to manage through impacts from higher commodity inflation, increased tariffs, and consumer uncertainty in the face of additional pricing,” said CEO Tim Cofer, noting further coffee price hikes are expected in Q3. “We expect segment performance to remain subdued for the balance of the year.”

The downturn is prompting KDP to recalibrate its coffee strategy, shifting attention away from its traditionally value-oriented offerings, such as Keurig Green Mountain and K-Cup capsules, and toward more premium-positioned innovations.

Among the highlights for the quarter:

• Lavazza K-Cup capsules were launched in Italian dessert-inspired flavors, including tiramisu.

• La Colombe ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee lines showed triple-digit sales growth, reflecting rising interest among younger, specialty-focused consumers.

• The upcoming K-Rounds, a plastic-free and aluminum-free pod, is scheduled for launch in 2026, signaling KDP’s push toward sustainability.

Cofer emphasized that while headwinds remain, the company sees long-term potential in its coffee business, provided it can deliver innovation that aligns with evolving consumer preferences.

“Looking ahead, the balance of 2025 will present challenges in the form of rising cost pressures, including from tariffs that remain highly fluid, as well as continued consumer caution,” he added.

KDP’s strategy reflects a broader trend in the U.S. coffee market, where flavor exploration, RTD beverages, and wellness are increasingly shaping consumption patterns — particularly among Gen Z consumers. The company’s challenge will be to retain its stronghold in value coffee while bringing its core category along on this more premium, lifestyle-driven journey.

Dubai,  8 August 2025 (Qahwa World) – As temperatures rise, Victoria Arduino is redefining summer refreshment by blending the worlds of specialty coffee and mixology. The Italian coffee equipment pioneer has introduced a new wave of creative coffee-based cocktails made with its groundbreaking PureBrew technology—just in time for the season of sun, flavor, and innovation.

Designed to bring out the cleanest, smoothest, and most aromatic qualities of coffee, PureBrew is featured in several of Victoria Arduino’s top-tier machines, including the E1 Prima EXP, E1 Prima PRO, Black Eagle Maverick, and the standalone PureBrew+ brewer. This brewing method serves as the perfect base for summer-ready signature cocktails that surprise the palate and elevate the coffee experience.

Prima on Flower

By Andrea Villa, 2025 Italian Coffee in Good Spirits Champion

A floral bouquet in a glass, this cocktail combines rose, elderflower, jasmine, and fresh lemon with the clean profile of PureBrew Coffee—crafted from naturally processed or fermented beans. Vodka adds structure, while a lavender mist adds an aromatic finishing touch. The result is a light, elegant drink that highlights coffee’s delicate, fragrant potential—perfect for summer afternoons and garden soirées.

The Prima-ry Drink

Also by Andrea Villa

Inspired by alpine landscapes and the classic Italian aperitivo, this bold yet refined cocktail layers vanilla sweetness with bitter alpine liqueur and the depth of vermouth. PureBrew Coffee brings smoothness and complexity, while a splash of chinotto adds a citrusy, herbal finish. It’s an adventurous blend for those who appreciate the sophisticated marriage of cocktail craft and specialty coffee.

Why Choose PureBrew for Coffee Cocktails?

Victoria Arduino’s PureBrew technology represents the cutting edge of filter coffee innovation. Its unique brewing system delivers:

• Exceptional flavor clarity through gentle and even extraction

• Silky texture and smooth body, ideal for mixed drinks

• Versatile performance across a range of coffees, teas, and infusions

• Consistent results with just a touch of a button

Whether served hot or over ice, PureBrewCoffee offers a refined base that brings coffee and cocktail culture together in one glass.

By Serkan Oral 

Istanbul – August 6, 2025 (Qahwa World) – A symbolic chapter in Türkiye’s beverage industry has officially closed as Dutch coffee titan Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) finalized the sale of its controlling stake in Ofçay to the Turkish conglomerate Efor Holding. This marks the end of a unique seven-year alliance between global coffee heritage and local tea tradition — a partnership once seen as a bold bridge between two beloved hot beverages.

The agreement was announced at a press conference held in Istanbul, where Efor Holding executives confirmed the full acquisition of Ofçay and its planned merger with Efor Çay, the group’s existing tea brand. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed due to a confidentiality agreement, but the implications are clear: JDE has now fully exited Türkiye’s tea market.

From a €75 Million Venture to a Strategic Exit

The so-called “tea-coffee wedding” began in 2018, when JDE — the global maker of brands like Jacobs, L’OR, Tassimo, and Douwe Egberts — acquired a 75% stake in Ofçay for €75 million ($86.8 million). Over the years, JDE invested an additional €70 million to modernize production, upgrade facilities, and expand Ofçay’s operational footprint.

The partnership aimed to blend JDE’s 265-year coffee expertise with Ofçay’s deep roots in Türkiye’s tea tradition. Yet, despite initial optimism and investment, JDE has now opted to realign its global portfolio, turning its focus away from tea to consolidate its core coffee operations.

Efor Holding Steps In: A National Brand with Global Ambitions

Ibrahim Akkuş, Chairman of Efor Holding, described the acquisition as a strategic milestone: “We are proud to represent Türkiye’s production power as a locally owned and nationally recognized brand. This move strengthens our position both at home and abroad.”

With the acquisition, Efor Holding plans to double production capacity and expand its tea processing area by 85%, positioning the merged Efor Çay-Ofçay operation as Türkiye’s third-largest tea producer by volume.

The group also has an eye on export markets. Efor Çay, currently shipping products to six countries including the Balkans, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, is set to scale its international presence with a broader product portfolio and upgraded distribution channels.

End of a Chapter for JDE Peet’s in Türkiye

For JDE, the sale is part of a larger streamlining strategy amid rising commodity costs and shifting priorities. The company is also considering further price hikes across its packaged coffee lines to mitigate the financial impact of green coffee prices, which have surged 28% year-over-year.

At its Capital Markets Day in July 2025, JDE Peet’s unveiled its “Reignite the Amazing” roadmap — targeting €500 million in savings by 2027 and focusing on three main brand pillars: Peet’s, L’OR, and Jacobs.

Conclusion: A Toast to the Past, and a Brew for the Future

The end of the tea-coffee partnership may symbolize a broader transformation in the global beverage landscape — one where companies are forced to sharpen focus amid economic headwinds and operational complexities.

Yet while Jacobs Douwe Egberts steps back, Efor Holding steps forward with a renewed commitment to Turkish tea. The “wedding” may be over, but the legacy it leaves behind is a rare fusion of international expertise and local pride — and its story will continue to steep in Türkiye’s evolving tea sector.

Dubai – August 2025 (Qahwa World) – The Circular Economy Working Group, part of the ITC Coffee Guide Network, held its July meeting on the 16th with over 40 participants from across the global coffee sector. The session focused on regenerative agriculture as a key circular economy practice in coffee, featuring real-world insights from Kenya and Brazil and in-depth discussion on farmer profitability, environmental stewardship, and value chain innovation.

The meeting began with updates on recent initiatives by the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC), including the success of a regional webinar with the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) that drew 113 participants — the highest attendance to date. The group also highlighted its active presence at World of Coffee Geneva and announced a new global webinar series running from September to December 2025.

Guest Speakers Share Ground-Level Innovation

Three guest speakers shared their perspectives and fieldwork:

• David Lenny Waweru, Kenyan farmer and owner of Ruwawa Farm, introduced his circular “farm engine” model, which uses a biogas digester to produce cooking gas and organic fertilizer. The system cut chemical fertilizer use by 70–80%, increased yields by up to 15%, and generated 20% of revenue through diversified crops.

• Luiza Mantiça Kreimeier, Technical Advisor at Brazil’s National Coffee Council (CNC), presented Brazil’s national circular economy strategy with a focus on the “Coffee Producer of Water” program. The initiative promotes soil and water conservation and rewards farmers financially through environmental service payments.

• Natalia Fernandes Carr, ESG Manager at Cooxupé (Brazil’s largest coffee cooperative), shared the cooperative’s regenerative agriculture program involving resistant cultivars, composting, biofertilizers, and a three-year impact assessment project. She also discussed ongoing research into water reuse and alternative uses for coffee byproducts.

Key Themes from the Discussion

The open discussion addressed critical questions:

• How can regenerative agriculture create income for farmers?

• What mechanisms exist — or need to be developed — to reward farmers for sustainable practices?

• What knowledge gaps must be filled to scale these practices globally?

Speakers emphasized:

• The importance of diversification (e.g., beekeeping, agroforestry, livestock) as a resilience strategy.

• The potential of biochar to rebuild degraded soils and improve water retention, despite current logistical and adoption challenges.

• The need for systemic value chain support to commercialize innovations like carbon crediting, composting, and product traceability.

Participants from Uganda, Peru, and Ethiopia shared regional experiences, reinforcing the global relevance of regenerative models and the need for shared learning.

Action Points and What’s Next

• Participants were invited to complete and distribute two industry surveys on spent coffee grounds:

  • Survey for practitioners

  • Survey for the coffee industry

• The group encouraged members to share ideas, propose speakers, and nominate regenerative practices for inclusion in C4CEC’s list of good practices.

• The next working group meeting will take place on September 4, 2025, focusing on biochar and its role in regenerative agriculture.

📌 Interested participants can join the LinkedIn group for continued discussions and resources.

Dubai, August 7, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Coffee prices dipped on Wednesday, driven by concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on Brazilian coffee and expectations of plentiful global supply. Arabica futures for September delivery fell 1.77%, while robusta contracts for the same month declined 0.53%.

The market is reacting to uncertainty around a proposed 50% U.S. tariff on Brazilian coffee exports. Without an exemption, this could reduce Brazil’s shipments to the U.S., potentially increasing domestic stockpiles in Brazil and exerting downward pressure on global prices.

Global coffee exports rose 7.3% year-over-year in June, reaching 11.69 million bags, according to the International Coffee Organization. However, cumulative exports from October to June slightly decreased by 0.2% to 104.14 million bags.

Despite the price decline, some factors provide support. In Brazil’s key arabica-producing region, Minas Gerais, rainfall was well below average, with only 2.7 mm recorded in the week ending August 2—about 31% of typical levels. Low precipitation could impact future yields.

Inventory levels are also influencing the market. Arabica stocks monitored by ICE hit a 14.5-month low of 751,044 bags, while robusta inventories reached a one-year high of 7,029 lots, signaling bearish pressure on robusta prices.

Speculative activity is another factor. Funds increased their net-short positions in robusta by 1,226 contracts in the week ending July 29, reaching a two-year high of 5,854 contracts. A shift in market sentiment could trigger short-covering.

Brazil’s 2025/26 coffee harvest is progressing rapidly, with 90% completion by July 30, surpassing last year’s 87% and the five-year average of 84%. Robusta harvesting is nearly complete at 98%, while arabica is at 85%, according to Safras & Mercado. The country’s largest coffee cooperative, Cooxupé, reported that 74% of its members’ harvest was finished by August 1.

Over the past three months, coffee prices have trended lower due to expectations of robust harvests. In June, arabica futures hit an eight-month low, and robusta reached a 1.25-year low. The USDA projects Brazil’s 2025/26 coffee production to increase by 0.5% to 65 million bags, while Vietnam’s output is expected to rise 6.9% to 31 million bags, a four-year high.

However, Brazil’s export data provided some counterbalance. June green coffee exports fell 31% year-over-year to 2.3 million bags, with arabica down 27% and robusta down 42%, according to Cecafé.

In Vietnam, the top robusta producer, drought reduced the 2023/24 crop by 20% to 1.472 million metric tons, the lowest in four years. Coffee exports in 2024 dropped 17.1% to 1.35 million metric tons. The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association lowered its 2024/25 production forecast to 26.5 million bags from 28 million. Still, January–July 2025 exports rose 6.9% to 1.05 million metric tons, per Vietnam’s General Statistics Office.

Looking forward, global coffee production is projected to hit a record 178.68 million bags in 2025/26, up 2.5% from the previous year. This includes a 1.7% decline in arabica to 97.022 million bags and a 7.9% rise in robusta to 81.658 million bags. Global ending stocks are expected to grow 4.9% to 22.819 million bags.

Despite the surplus outlook, analysts at Volcafe forecast an 8.5 million bag deficit for arabica in 2025/26, up from 5.5 million bags in 2024/25, marking the fifth consecutive year of arabica shortages.

Dubai, August 7, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – As global markets open to positive momentum, Starbucks finds itself out of step. The coffee giant is under pressure following a newly implemented 50% U.S. tariff on Brazilian coffee, a move that analysts say will significantly impact its cost structure and investor sentiment.

While S&P 500 futures rose by 0.23% Wednesday morning—bouncing back from a 0.49% dip the previous day—Starbucks shares continue to slide, with a 1.15% year-to-date drop and a further 8% decline over the past five trading sessions.

Rising Costs and Shrinking Margins

Analyst Andrew Charles from TD Cowen estimates that the tariff could lead to a 3.5% annual increase in Starbucks’ operating costs, cutting into profits by about $0.02 per share.

The company’s recent Q2 results already reflect early signs of strain, with a 2% decline in same-store sales, even as average spend per customer ticked up by 1%—a sign that price increases are quietly making their way to consumers.

Given that the U.S. produces almost no coffee domestically, the full burden of the tariff will fall on importers and consumers, with no substantial economic blow to Brazil expected in return.

Brazil Holds Steady as Others Gain

Despite the trade tension, Goldman Sachs forecasts a 2.3% GDP growth for Brazil in 2025, suggesting limited impact from the U.S. tariffs.

Meanwhile, global markets may actually benefit. With the U.S. demand potentially weakening, surplus supply could shift to international buyers, applying downward pressure on global prices. In fact, Arabica coffee futures have dropped 30% this year, now sitting around $2.96 per tonne.

Global Market Snapshot Ahead of Wall Street Opening:

• S&P 500 Futures: ▲ 0.23%

• STOXX Europe 600: Flat

• FTSE 100 (UK): ▲ 0.18%

• Nikkei 225 (Japan): ▲ 0.6%

• CSI 300 (China): ▲ 0.24%

• KOSPI (South Korea): Flat

• Nifty 50 (India): ▼ 0.23%

• Bitcoin: ▼ to $113,900

Dubai, August 7, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – U.S. network CNN has reported that China is seizing the opportunity to promote what it called “beloved Brazilian coffee” following the imposition of new tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to CNN, as the new tariffs imposed by Trump on Brazilian goods come into effect, China has swiftly moved to deepen its ties with the world’s largest coffee producer, capitalizing on escalating trade tensions to expand Brazilian coffee’s access to its domestic market.

The 50% tariffs, which took effect on Wednesday, target a wide range of Brazilian products, including coffee. China has viewed this as a chance to strengthen its partnership with Brazil in this vital sector.

The Chinese embassy in Brasília recently announced the arrival of new Chinese companies in the Brazilian market, including food delivery giant Meituan. In a post, the embassy stated: “The bridge is bidirectional—Brazil is also reinforcing its presence in China with its beloved Brazilian coffee.”

A few days earlier, the embassy revealed that China had granted five-year export permits to 183 Brazilian coffee companies. In another message, it noted the growing popularity of coffee in China, stating that the beverage “is becoming part of everyday life for the Chinese people.”

Despite the United States remaining the world’s largest coffee importer—buying 30.7% of its total 1.5 million metric tons of imports from Brazil in 2024—China’s recent moves may reshape the global coffee trade landscape.

Rising Tensions Between Washington and Brasília

These developments come amid rising tensions between the United States and Brazil. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the U.S. decisions, saying, “Trump was not elected to be emperor of the world.”

While the U.S. enjoys a trade surplus with Brazil, the White House justified the tariff hike on political grounds. A recent executive order signed by Trump accused the Brazilian government of committing “serious human rights abuses,” referring to the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro over his alleged attempt to orchestrate a coup against President Lula. Bolsonaro, a close ally of Trump, denies the accusations.

In a controversial move, Trump sent a letter to Brazilian authorities demanding the immediate suspension of Bolsonaro’s trial, describing it as a “political witch hunt.” Lula responded by affirming the independence of Brazil’s judiciary, stating, “The president does not interfere with the judiciary. Bolsonaro is not being judged personally, but for the acts he carried out in attempting a coup d’état.”

China Steps In

Amid these tensions, Brazil may find itself turning to alternative international partners. On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that cooperation between Beijing and Brasília “has benefited both peoples,” and expressed China’s willingness to enhance relations with Brazil “across various sectors and add new strategic dimensions.”

So far, the Brazilian government has not issued an official response to the new U.S. tariffs. However, President Lula da Silva stressed that Brazil must be treated “as an equal partner” in any future trade negotiations, warning that “there is a limit to dialogue” with the Trump administration.