Coffee News Recap, 25 Oct: PRF Honduras announced for 2025, Starbucks suspends annual forecast & more stories

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

Editor’s note

Starbucks continued to dominate the news this week, with the brand “taking a step back” to reassess its strategy under the leadership of new CEO Brian Niccol. In light of a 7% drop in same-store sales for Q4 (including 10% in the US and 14% in China), the company has suspended its annual forecast. As expected, the brand claims its focus will shift to enhancing in-store experience and improving service speed.

At the other end of the supply chain, the first ever PRF: Farm Summit was held last week at Finca La Pradera, Aratoca, Colombia. The event welcomed over 1,300 attendees, including 400 producers and 90 roasters. Fully held on-farm, the event sought to address challenges in coffee production by promoting farming methods that reduce costs and improve yields.

With uncertainty regarding the global C market seemingly set to continue, it is more important than ever for producers and their communities to embrace ways to improve farm profitability.

Coffee news -- People entering a starbucks store

Industry news

Mon, 21 Oct – Nestlé announces new organisational structure with executive board changes. Nestlé will merge its Latin America and North America zones into Zone Americas, led by Steve Presley. Zone Greater China joins Asia, Oceania, and Africa under Remy Ejel. David Zhang steps down from the Executive Board but remains Chairman of Greater China. Zone Europe remains unchanged. These changes aim to simplify decision-making and boost global initiatives. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Mon, 21 Oct – Illycaffè named official coffee partner of Art Basel Paris. From October 18 to 20 at the Grand Palais in Paris, the illy lounge will showcase its iconic coffee cups, featuring artwork by Simone Fattal, Shirin Neshat, Monica Bonvicini, and Binta Diaw. The display will also highlight the history of the illy Art Collection, with contributions from 130 artists since 1992. (Trieste, Italy)

Mon, 21 Oct – Post-Helene, coffee techs provide mobile water systems to cafés in need. North Carolina is recovering from Hurricane Helene, which caused nearly 100 fatalities and disrupted Asheville’s coffee community. Re-Automator is providing free mobile water units to help local cafes operate, deploying 16 systems with reverse-osmosis water and pumps. They seek further sponsorship and donations to support this initiative.

Mon, 21 Oct – San Diego’s Torque Coffee renews operations with first café. Located in the renovated Rock Palace building on El Cajon Boulevard, the café features 15-foot ceilings and ample seating, enhancing the coffee experience developed by founders Andy and Nanelle Newbom, who initially roasted at California Coffee Collective in San Marcos. (San Diego, California, US)

Mon, 21 Oct – Better Buzz expands its presence in Orange County. Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, founded in 2002 by Tim Langdon and Stephanie Garden, has expanded from a coffee cart in San Diego to nearly 20 locations in Southern California and two in Arizona. Recently, it opened a new café in Costa Mesa on 11 October and plans to open another in central Orange County. (San Diego, California, US)

Mon, 21 Oct – Bluestone Lane names Edie Ames as new CEO. The NY-based group has appointed Edie Ames as its new CEO, starting at the end of October 2024, while Founder Nick Stone will transition to Executive Chairman. Since its launch in 2013, Stone has expanded the Australian-inspired café group to 65 locations across eight US states. Stone praised Ames’ expertise as essential for the company’s growth and improvement. (New York, US)

Mon, 21 Oct – Boutique café group EL&N makes its debut in India with Mumbai outlet. The launch follows a franchise partnership with Reliance Brands, which also operates Pret a Manger in the country. EL&N aims to attract India’s discerning coffee consumers with a combination of stylish design and high-quality specialty coffee. (Mumbai, India)

Mon, 21 Oct – Bloomberg report states that coffee prices are set to rise further. Coffee lovers can expect prices to rise further as both arabica and robusta bean prices have surged due to significant supply disruptions in countries like Vietnam and Brazil, says the news corp. Sellers are increasing prices and cutting discounts to maintain margins, with many anticipating additional hikes in the near future.

Tue, 22 Oct – Klatch Coffee announces three new cafe locations. Klatch Coffee is opening new locations in Eastvale, Fullerton, and Rancho Cucamonga, CA, with a grand opening from 25-27 October. Each location will feature an exclusive signature drink, and customers can receive a free glass and reusable Sprouts bag, while supplies last. (Rancho Cucamonga, California, US)

Tue, 22 Oct – Aillio shares upda tes on R2 and R2 Pro roasters production. Production of the R2 and R2 Pro is underway, but delays are due to a shortage of induction electronics. The 230V models will ship in a few weeks, while 120V production starts in early November. The Pro Cooling Tray will ship separately in Q1 2025, and upgrade kits for the R1 will be available later. (Taipei, Taiwan)

Tue, 22 Oct – J DE Peet’s appoints Rafael Oliveira as chief executive officer. Rafa Oliveira is set to join JDE Peet’s as the new executive, effective 1 Nov 2024. He brings significant global FMCG leadership experience, having spent a decade at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he led growth, innovation, and sustainability initiatives in various executive roles, including EVP and President of International Markets for EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

Wed, 23 Oct – Nomad Coffee Group celebrates success at 2024 Golden Bean Awards. Nomad Coffee Group won 39 awards, including 1 Gold and 9 Silver Medals. Highlights include Gold for its brand Black Bag Roasters’ Lazzio Medium Blend, which was also named Overall Large Chain Champion. Nomad was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for 20 years of coffee excellence. (Victoria, Australia)

Wed, 23 Oct – Spada Roastery & Coffee Shop opens rebuilt modern roastery in Istanbul. Founder Cumhur Kılıç highlighted the facility’s stylish, functional design, noting it provides a space for industry training. The updated roastery includes a cupping room, workshop area, and a coffee bar, offering more than just roasting services. (Istanbul, Turkey)

Thu, 24 Oct – Oghma Partners advises Ingå Group Limited on MSK acquisition. Oghma’s latest transaction boosts its growth in the food ingredients sector, marking the second deal advising Novax AB. Founded in 1998, MSK supplies specialty functional ingredients and technical support to chefs and foodservice operators across the UK and Europe. This addition strengthens the Ingå Group’s portfolio, which includes Ulrick & Short, Louis François, and Verdant Ingredients. (London, UK)

Fri, 25 Oct – The J.M. Smucker Co. announces dividend declaration. The Ohio-based company has announced a $1.08 per share dividend on its common shares, approved by the Board of Directors. The dividend will be paid on December 2, 2024, to shareholders recorded as of November 15, 2024. (Orrvile, Ohio, US)

Fri, 25 Oct – Keurig Dr Pepper announces Q3 2024 results and confirms fiscal 2024 guidance. CEO Tim Cofer confirmed the company is on track to meet its full-year outlook, citing the acquisition of GHOST as a pivotal move for portfolio growth. He noted improvements in volume/mix performance and stressed the importance of cost discipline for a strong finish in 2024 and a healthy start to 2025. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)

Fri, 25 Oct – Chobani opens new headquarters, Chobani House, for urban office use. Chobani is establishing the Chobani House as its global headquarters, featuring a community kitchen for nutritious meals, an innovation centre for addressing hunger, and an incubator lab for NGOs focused on social impact. The company will also adopt the 4-day working week. (New York, US_

New launch

Mon, 21 Oct – Sip Herbals launches 2024 holiday sip box gift set for alternative coffee drinkers. Sip Herbal’s 2024 Holiday Sip Box features two ‘Faux Joe’ blends, Cinnamon Roll and Peppermint Mocha, along with an 11 oz ceramic mug, cozy socks, peppermint lip balm, and a choice between a stainless-steel fine mesh strainer or reusable coffee pod, all in a premium gift box ideal for the holidays. (Portland, Oregon, US)

Mon, 21 Oct – Dunkin’ reveals seasonal spooky food and beverage offerings. Dunkin’ is celebrating the spooky season with a new Potion Macchiato, a revamped Spider Specialty Donut, and a Halloween MUNCHKINS Bucket, available since October 16. The Potion Macchiato features espresso, milk, and purple marshmallow ube flavour, while the Spider Donut has purple frosting and a chocolate MUNCHKINS donut hole on top, alongside festive sprinkles on classic donuts. (Canton, Massachusetts)

Mon, 21 Oct – Bones Coffee Company expands RTD latte line with new seasonal flavours. Bones Coffee Company has introduced two ready-to-drink lattes: Jacked ‘O’ Lantern Pumpkin Spice Latte, available exclusively at Walmart until November 1, and Peppermint Mocha Latte, launching on November 30. Both feature ethically sourced Arabica beans and whole milk for a creamy texture. (Cape Coral, Florida, US)

Mon, 21 Oct – Onyx Coffee Lab & OneRepublic launch for a limited edition. The collab aims to celebrate the band’s new album, Artificial Paradise. The Ethiopian-sourced coffee features vibrant notes of apricot, black tea, and floral honey, reflecting the album’s creative spirit and craftsmanship. (Rogers, Arizona)

Tue, 22 Oct – La Marzocco & Porsche launch limited edition Linea Micra & Pico grinder. Inspired by the 1973 Targa Florio-winning Porsche Carrera RSR, these limited-edition machines feature design elements like drive mode-inspired knobs and Porsche tachometer-style pressure gauges. This collaboration is crafted for home baristas and coffee enthusiasts who appreciate quality and exceptional design. (Florence, Italy)

Wed, 23 Oct – Stōk Cold Brew launches new energy brew with extra kick. STōK Cold Brew Energy features smooth coffee with 195mg of caffeine, B-vitamins, ginseng, and guarana, providing a focused boost. It offers three flavours: Mocha Cream, Vanilla Cream, and Caramel Cream. (Louisville, Colorado, US)

Wed, 23 Oct – Starbucks launches new drinks and merchandise in collaboration with Universal Pictures. Starbucks will launch two new drinks this month in the collab celebrating the upcoming release of “Wicked,” a movie prequel to “The Wizard of Oz.”. “Elphaba’s Cold Brew” is a peppermint cold brew with matcha cold foam, and “Glinda’s Pink Potion,” a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with coconut milk and strawberry cold foam. Other merch will be available from early November. (Seattle, US)

Thu, 24 Oct – Verve Coffee Roasters introduces its first at-home brew device. The Dwell Dripper, a silicone pourover with a bottomless design, brews coffee in under three minutes. Available in seven colours, it ensures consistent, unrestricted brewing and is made from durable BPA-free silicone. (Santa Cruz, California, US)

Thu, 24 Oct – Ibertial unveils REFERENT, its new professional machine. The Iberital REFERENT machine offers high-quality coffee at an affordable price, suitable for boutique hotels and designer restaurants. Its design emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality. Developed in six months, it reflects Iberital’s commitment to sustainability and aims to innovate the coffee market in 2024. (Barcelona, Spain)

Fri, 25 Oct – Ground Control announces release and shipment of new SM brewer. The Ground Control SM, designed for foodservice, uses multi-cycle extraction to redefine coffee brewing. It offers precision control over time, temperature, and agitation to capture unique flavours while brewing a wide range of coffee and tea beverages with complex tastes. It also has added features, a compact design, and 30% lower cost than its predecessor. (Oakland, California, US)

Milestone

Mon, 21 Oct – The Toasted Yolk Cafe to open its 25th location in Texas. The Toasted Yolk Cafe will open its 25th Texas location in Lumberton this Monday, offering its famous breakfast, brunch, and lunch, plus boozy cocktails. Franchisee Bret Baumgartner, with over 20 years of restaurant experience, will operate the new café. (Lumberton, Texas, US)

Tue, 22 Oct – Avercasso CS Lite wins SCAJ 2024 new products award. CS Lite, a 25 kg machine for nano roasters and boutique shops, uses AI and 4K cameras to detect coffee defects with 99% accuracy. Debuting at SCAJ 2024, it processes 2.5 kg per hour, offers customizable sorting, and was well-received for ensuring premium coffee quality. (Taipei, Taiwan)

Tue, 22 Oct – China’s Cotti Coffee opens 10,000th store in Doha. Cotti Coffee made its international debut in South Korea in August 2023 and now operates in 28 markets globally, while most of its 10,000 stores remain in China. The chain focuses on high-traffic office districts, offers significant discounts on beverages, and uses an in-house app for payments, delivery, and promotions. (Beijing, China)

Trade & production

Research

Events

Mon, 21 Oct – The third edition of Canephorum took place in Berlin last weekend. This educational event included workshops, cuppings, and expert discussions on sensory profiles, market potential, and innovations. Over 40 coffees were cupped and visitors engaged in sensory workshops led by researchers. Organized by cumpa, the event took place at Communal Coffee, Germany’s largest co-roasting facility. (Berlin, Germany)

Mon, 21 Oct – Yunnan Coffee Flavour Map 2024 to be held from October 31 to November 3. This year, over 400 coffee samples will be showcased, following last year’s record attendance of 700 cuppers. Co-sponsored by companies like Torch Coffee Company and Nestlé, the event will include a Master Workshop with Dr. Manuel Diaz and Marty Pollack on the latest research, as well as the Laoxuzhai Brewing Competition.

Mon, 21 Oct – The Barista League celebrates the success of Bristol & Barcelona events. Together, the 2 venues attracted 74 baristas from 21 companies and over 450 attendees. The competitions, known for accessibility and low entry barriers, featured participants like Marta Krasteva and Luca Croce. The events emphasised sustainability by reusing materials and minimising waste.

Tue, 22 Oct – PROBAT accelerates to close 2024 trade show year. From October to December 2024, PROBAT will showcase its innovative processing technologies at seven global events, including FHA HoReCa in Singapore, All4Pack in Paris, Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai, Pack Expo in Chicago, and more. These exhibitions reinforce PROBAT’s leadership in the coffee and food sectors. (Emmerich, Germany)

Tue, 22 Oct – Free tasting features the best coffees competing for the International Ernesto Illy Award from 9 different origins. From October 24 to 26, Brazilians can sample the coffees competing for the ‘Coffee Lovers’ Choice’ award at illy stores, part of the 9th Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award in New York. The tasting features finalists from Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Rwanda. Public votes will help determine the winner, announced on November 12. (São Paulo, Brazil)

Wed, 23 – ASEAN Café Show 2024 to be held in October 24-27. The event’s 18th edition will take place at Bitec Buri in Bangkok, attracting over 17,000 visitors and distributors from 50+ countries. Organised by Kavin Intertrade Co., the event will showcase coffee, tea, bakery, ice cream, and cocoa, featuring attractions like the Beverage LAB, Café Art Salon, and Roasting Café by the Barista Association. (Bangkok, Thailand

Thu, 24 Oct – SIGEP World 2025 is fully booked. The event, set for 18th to 22nd January 2025 at Rimini Expo Centre, will feature key supply chains including Gelato, Pastry, Bakery, Coffee, and Pizza. The strategic business matching programme has attracted 520 top buyers from 91 countries. (Rimini, Italy)

Fri, 25 Oct – FHA HoReCa Singapore to take place this weekend. The event anticipates 25,000 visitors after a four-year hiatus. Alvin Tan from Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry introduced the Hotel Industry Transformation Map 2025, focusing on sustainability and innovation. Running from 25–28 October, it features over 800 exhibitors from 30+ countries, including Cafetto, an Australian supplier of eco-friendly cleaning solutions for commercial and domestic markets. (Singapore)

Competitions

Mon, 21 Oct – Open de Cata 2024 to be held in October 25-26. Mare Terra Coffee will host its 2024 Open de Cata tasting competition on 25-26 October at the Gran Hotel Rey Don Jaime in Barcelona, offering 48 competitor spots and four cash prizes, including €10,000 for the top scorer. (Barcelona, Spain)

Wed, 23 Oct – Barcelona Coffee Awards winners are announced. The Barcelona Coffee Awards 2024 awarded Junzhi Liu as National Latte Art Champion and Mark Uhli as Spanish Cup Taster Champion. Santiago Andrés won Best Barista 2024. Shot me Coffee was named Best Coffee Shop, with Amauta Coffee Roasters as Revelation Coffee Shop and The Nomad Coffee Academy for Best Coffee Education. (Barcelona, Spain)

Thu, 24 Oct – Utopian Coffee Named 2025 Roaster of the Year Finalist. The Indiana-based roastery is recognised for its focus on quality, sustainability, and social impact, including Regenerative Organic Certified practices and direct smallholder farmer partnerships. (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

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

Mon, 30 Sep – AeroPress launches long-awaited Premium brewer. After nearly three years of development, AeroPress has released its new handmade double-walled borosilicate glass (open-ended on both sides), stainless steel, and aluminum model. The launch also includes the AeroPress stainless steel organiser. (Palo Alto, California, US)

Mon, 23 Sep – La Marzocco debuts The Rise of Espresso documentary at Italian Film Festival. The film highlights the history of coffee, its cultural significance, and the efforts made in the supply chain. Produced by Accademia del Caffè Espresso, the film debuted at the Italian Film Festival in Melbourne on 24 September and will be screened at global events in the coming weeks. (Florence, Italy)

Photo credits: Producer Roaster Forum

Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece on why franchises struggle to compete in Europe.

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