Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week. Here are this week’s stories. 

• Mon, 4 Oct – Royal Coffee to host Buying Green Coffee: What Roasters Need to Know event. The class will cover topics such as harvest timelines, logistics, direct trade, and sourcing. The in-person event is open to anyone with green coffee buying experience and will take place at 11:00 PT on 14 October.

• Mon, 4 Oct – CBI to host webinars on how new EU Green Deal will affect businesses. CBI Webinar: European Green Deal will focus on the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan that will affect European traders, including coffee businesses. The first webinar will be held on 20 October and the final one on 2 November.

• Mon, 4 Oct – Fairtrade America launches second annual Choose Fairtrade: Choose the world you want campaign. The campaign includes three murals painted by local artists in Austin, Minneapolis, and Tacoma, WA portraying producers at origin. The murals are part of a wider campaign for Fair Trade month in October.

• Mon, 4 Oct – TC Transcontinental opens new US R&D centre. The Art, Science, and Technology Research and Applications Centre will include an in-house team of more than 20 engineers. The new centre will enable TC Transcontinental to produce 100% of its packaging as recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025.

• Mon, 4 Oct – Winners of 2021 Best New Product and Coffee Design Awards announced. Winners were revealed at the Specialty Expo held last week in New Orleans. Five winners were awarded the Best New Product, including Ecotact for its Troiseal bags in the Coffee Accessories category. Three winners were announced for the Coffee Design awards: Groundwork Coffee, Truesday Goods UG, and Pine Coffee Supply.

• Mon, 4 Oct – La Cabra opens NY roasting facility. The East Village café is the Danish’s roaster first location in the US. La Cabra also operate outlets in Denmark, Thailand, and UAE.

• Mon, 4 Oct – Starbucks launches new Nespresso Vertuo capsules in Canada. The new range includes Pike Place Roast, Colombia, Espresso Roast, and Caffè Verona. The capsules are available at major retailers across the country.

• Mon, 4 Oct – ICO announces new Chair for 2021/22. The 130th session held in September declared Iván Romero-Martínez as the new Chair of the organisation. Romero-Martínez is the current Ambassador for Honduras to the UK and Ireland and represents Honduras at the ICO.

• Mon, 4 Oct – Sucafina concludes Roasting for Espresso series. On 27 September, Sucafina launched a two-part series with Sucafina NZ trader Joseph Oosten. The first episode explored bean selection and roast development, while the final episode discussed ratios, changes to roast profiles, and solubility.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Hemro Group expands presence in US market. The company has established several new distribution channels for its sales of Mahlkönig, Anfim, and HeyCafé grinder brands. New partners are Visions Espresso Service, Congruent Services, Black Rabbit Service Co., and The Espresso Specialist who will all be responsible for sales and services.

• Tue, 5 Oct – UK Coffee Week conducts survey on UK coffee drinking habits. The charity scheme found 70% of UK coffee consumers drink at least two cups per day, with 21% drinking more than four. Lattes were the most popular beverage choice, followed by cappuccinos and americanos.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Tim Hortons to cut GHG emissions in half by 2030. Parent company Restaurant Brands International has set targets to reduce carbon emissions by over 25 million tonnes, including at its 5,000 Tim Hortons locations. The company aims to achieve carbon negativity by 2050.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Rainforest Alliance conducts sustainability study on Australian consumers. The non-profit organisation found 63% of participants aged 18 to 65+ say they look for product labels to ensure they are making purchasing decisions that are more socially and environmentally sustainable.

• Tue, 5 Oct – WCA to host final Cross Talk Series Shaping the Future of Digital Traceability in Coffee: “Towards a More Transparent Digital Economy”. Two panels will discuss two topics: “Building Trust through Traceability” and “Shaping Regulatory Compliance”. Speakers include Executive Director of ACE, Darrin Daniel, and Director of FNC Europe, Carolina Castaneda. The virtual event will take place on 27 October at 15:00 BST.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences launches new study on caffeine intake. The research will focus on specific demographics of the US population and consumption of a range of caffeinated beverages, including coffee. The ongoing study will take place until 2023.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Sustainable Coffee Challenge releases 2021 Commitments Hub Report. Findings from the Commitments Hub platform include a 22% increase in the number of stakeholders pledging commitments over the past year. Over 29% of total commitments were introduced during the previous 12 months. Stakeholders include Starbucks, NCA, Mercon, and Olam Coffee.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Todd Carmichael to step down as La Colombe CEO. Carmichael will remain at the Philadelphia coffee roaster, but will focus more attention on new venture Rebel Beverage Labs. Rebel is researching mouthfeel with sparkling water drinks, with an aim to innovate.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Coffee-flavoured whiskey brand Kentucky Coffee launches in US. The company uses dark roast coffee extract. Kentucky Coffee is available for US $19.99 for a 750ml (25oz) bottle.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Boseco to roll out e-bike café schemes in US. The capsule and equipment manufacturer will introduce mobile coffee shops in San Francisco, with similar schemes planned in other major US cities.

• Tue, 5 Oct – Eurostat reports EU imported 2.9 million tonnes of coffee in 2020. Total imports have increased 7% since 2010, with most exports from Brazil and Vietnam. Germany imported 38% of total 2020 coffee imports with 1.1 million tonnes. Italy produced the highest levels of roasted coffee in 2020 with 616,000 tonnes.

• Wed, 6 Oct – NCA hosts Logistics: Current Challenges and Long Term Outlook Facing the Coffee Supply Chain webinar. The virtual event was held in partnership with Swiss Coffee Trade Association and Cecafé. Four panelists discussed how port, transportation, and legislative issues affect green coffee buying.

• Wed, 6 Oct – BSCA launches new podcast series. Brazil: The Coffee Nation is an English podcast series focusing on the Brazilian coffee industry. The first episode will feature BSCA Executive Director Vanusia Nogueira speaking about the association.

• Wed, 6 Oct – FNC and Colombian government approve policy for sustainable coffee production. The policy received final approval from the National Council for Economic and Social Policy (Conpes) and will support long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability for the Colombian coffee sector. The new roadmap assesses challenges and opportunities facing the industry, including low productivity and low levels of internal consumption.

• Wed, 6 Oct – MAP IT FORWARD and Pacific Coffee Research to host interactive Global Coffee Townhall virtual events. The 4-part event will take place in 4 different languages over the course of the week beginning 11 October. The theme of the open forum discussions is “What needs to change in the coffee industry in 2021 & beyond?”. The first webinar will be held in English on 11 October at 16:00 PT and attendance is free.

• Wed, 6 Oct – Cropster to host free training session. Two Utilising Cropster at Your Roastery sessions will be led by Head of Customer Success Devin Connolly on 12 and 13 October at 12:00 CEST and 11:00 PT, respectively.

• Wed, 6 Oct – Robusta prices on CEPEA index close to 5-year high. Prices reached US 154.82 cents per bag at the beginning of the month – close to the high of US 164.65 cents per bag in 2016. Prices are believed to have increased due to export issues in Vietnam.

• Wed, 6 Oct – Getchusomegear launches “Getchu a (gear) Grant” initiative. The non-profit organisation distributes new and used coffee equipment to marginalised individuals in the coffee industry. The new grant scheme in partnership with Brewista will support people with at most two year’s experience in operating a coffee business. The initiative is open to US applicants.

• Thu, 7 Oct – Wilbur Curtis launches fully automatic machine in US. The single-serve Curtis Genesis machine can brew beverages ranging from 12 to 24oz (340 to 710ml). The machine includes two grinder hoppers, digital touchscreen, and remote technology using a mobile app.

• Thu, 7 Oct – The Barista League Barcelona to take place on 9 October. Twelve teams will compete using the Rancilio RS1 espresso machine. The competition will be held at Nomad Coffee Roasters.

• Thu, 7 Oct – Kerry partners with Café Femenino as primary sponsor. Kerry will act as a global distribution network and supply system for Café Femenino’s organic coffee extracts. Kerry will distribute and supply coffee products from Sumatra and Peru.

• Thu, 7 Oct – Flash Coffee expands into Hong Kong. The Indonesian coffee chain also has locations in Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. At all locations, Flash Coffee includes localised items on the menu, such as the peanut butter condensed milk and black sesame latte in Hong Kong.

• Fri, 8 Oct – Fair Trade UK launches Be Fair with Your Climate Promise campaign ahead of COP26. Leading food and beverage businesses, including Cafédirect, have signed an open letter pledging to improve social and economic sustainability in their supply chains. The letter also calls for governments to take action on climate issues in the run-up to COP26: a global UN summit on climate change and the Paris agreement.

• Fri, 8 Oct – Dutch Bros raises over US $695,000 for Buck for Kids campaign. The latest fundraiser from the coffee drive-thru chain received the highest number of donations since 2011. Funds will be used to support local youth organisations.

• Fri, 8 Oct – SCA opens US $205,000 donation fund for Louisiana coffee businesses. Through Go Fund Bean and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, the SCA will support local coffee businesses and coffee workers affected by Hurricane Ida. The total will be equivalent to half of the attendance revenue from the Specialty Expo held in New Orleans in late September.

• Fri, 8 Oct – Beans Coffee Club partners with UK electronics retailer Currys. The multi-roaster subscription service will pair Currys customers who purchase new coffee machines with a selection of coffees based on their preferences.

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

• Tue, 28 Sep – Chemex collaborates with Tree House Brewing Company for limited edition brewer. The new design includes amber-tinted glass and a hand-turned mahogany handle. This exclusive Chemex model is available for US $80.

• Wed, 29 Sep – Costa Coffee trials BURT reusable cup scheme. The 6-month long “Borrow, Use, Reuse, Take Back” programme will run across 14 stores in Glasgow in the run-up to COP26. To participate, customers must create an account and pay £5 (US $6.78) to opt into the scheme.

• Wed, 29 Sep – World Coffee Research CEO provides updates on organisational activities. The International Multi-location Variety Trial will continue for its 6th year, with a global breeding network established to grow more climate-resilient varieties from 2022. Robusta and arabica nurseries will also open in Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority.

• Wed, 29 Sep – SCA partners with Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination on new Abu Dhabi Premier Training Campus. ZHO members will have the opportunity to become authorised SCA Trainers to train people with disabilities.

• Thu, 30 Sep – Starbucks to open first Greener Store in China. The Shanghai location is the coffee chain’s first Greener Store outside of North America. The café incorporates numerous recycled and upcycled features, including reclaimed wood and recycled barista aprons. More than half of the store menu will feature plant-based options.

• Fri, 1 Oct – Dates announced for upcoming CoE auctions. CoE Nicaragua will take place on 23 November, CoE Peru will be held on 2 December, and CoE Brazil is set for 20 December. Over 120 samples scoring 87+ points have been selected for CoE Brazil, which will be held in partnership with Apex-Brasil and the BSCA. The first ever CoE Indonesia auction will also be held this year.

• Fri, 1 Oct – illycaffè launches #Stand4CoffeeFuture project on International Coffee Day. The campaign features alumni of the international master’s degree in Coffee Economics. It focuses on the three “pillars” of sustainability, innovation, and equality.

• Fri, 1 Oct – Baratza launches two new Vario grinders. The new Vario+ and Vario W+ models are available in black and white. They include features such as a LCD interface and all-metal grind chamber. Shipping is expected in November.

• Fri, 1 Oct – Global Coffee Platform announces new Coffee Sustainability Reference Code for International Coffee Day. Following a revision of the platform’s Baseline Coffee Code, the new edition includes shared language on how to create foundations for sustainable coffee development in line with the UN’s SDGs. The code will be published in late October.

• Fri, 1 Oct – NBA player Jimmy Butler launches Big Face Coffee on Shopify. The US basketball athlete joined the ecommerce platform’s creator programme under an exclusive agreement. Big Face Coffee recently purchased over 1,000 lbs of the highest scoring coffee at 2021 CoE El Salvador.

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Photo credits: Miguel Regalado