Coffee Intelligence (2025)

25/03/2025

Influencers are turning online clout into offline coffee spaces – and Gen Z is showing up. With 74% of Gen Z valuing real-world experiences over digital ones, influencer cafés are emerging as the new social hubs.

Chamberlain Coffee expects to hit $33 million in 2025 – proof that going offline is the next big move for digital-first brands. Gen Z is flocking to these curated and reimagined “third places” that are part coffee shop, part content studio.

Sarah Charles speaks with Jeumana Jaber (Chamberlain Coffee) and Sabine Lehmann (Curiositas) about what the new third place looks like, and how Gen Z cannot be boxed into any one profile, but is rather made up of tribes seeking personalised experiences.

Influencers are turning online clout into offline coffee spaces – and Gen Z is showing up. With 74% of Gen Z valuing real-world experiences over digital ones, influencer cafés are emerging as the new social hubs. Chamberlain Coffee expects to hit $33 million in 2025 – proof that going offline i...

21/03/2025

The coffee industry, a $460 billion global market, is facing an uncertain future as protectionist trade policies threaten supply chains, pricing, and consumer habits.

Trump’s tariff plan puts U.S. coffee imports – worth $8.2B in 2023 – at risk, threatening price hikes and supply chain chaos. After decades of duty-free coffee, new tariffs could jolt the $460B industry, squeezing importers, retailers, and millions of daily drinkers. Mexico and Canada brace for impact as the first in line, but more could follow soon.

Sarah Charles speaks with William “Bill” Murray (National Coffee Association), Peter Bay Kirkegaard (Dansk Industri - DI), and Beatriz Hernández Escárcega (Alianza de Mujeres en Café México) about what the potential impacts will be.

The coffee industry, a $460 billion global market, is facing an uncertain future as protectionist trade policies threaten supply chains, pricing, and consumer habits. Trump’s tariff plan puts U.S. coffee imports – worth $8.2B in 2023 – at risk, threatening price hikes and supply chain chaos . ...

18/03/2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently officially approved coffee as a healthy beverage, reinforcing its cognitive and disease-fighting benefits.

The $4.5 trillion wellness economy is driving demand for functional coffees with probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

Sarah Charles speaks with Ildi Revi (Purity Coffee) about how health scares like Snapchill’s recall highlight the need for stricter quality control as coffee brands embrace wellness trends.

For decades, coffee has been at the centre of debates surrounding its health implications. But in a landmark decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved coffee as a healthy beverage in December 2024, marking a transformative moment for the industry. The $4.5 trillion wellness econ...

14/03/2025

In a move that is drawing attention from investors and analysts alike, JDE Peet’s, the world’s second-largest coffee company, announced a €250 million share buyback programme set to be completed by the end of 2025.

JDE Peet’s organic sales grew 5.3% in 2024. Yet instead of expansion, it’s prioritising a €1 billion multi-year buyback.

Sarah Charles speaks with Joel White (Marketcap Consulting) about whether as supermarkets push back on price hikes, JDE Peet’s buyback is a sign of confidence or a hedge against market uncertainty.

In a move that is drawing attention from investors and analysts alike, JDE Peet’s, the world’s second-largest coffee company, announced a €250 million share buyback programme set to be completed by the end of 2025. JDE Peet’s organic sales grew 5.3% in 2024. Yet instead of expansion, it’s ...

11/03/2025

The coffee industry is in the midst of a significant adjustment, with prices remaining consistently high for an extended period.

Arabica coffee prices surpassing $4 per pound are driving a major industry shift. Roasters are adjusting blends, seeking cheaper origins, and renegotiating contracts.

Sarah Charles speaks with Silvio Sánchez (Santa Teresa de Mogoton) and Abraham Castro (Ally Coffee) and about how producers continue to face rising costs, labour shortages, and delayed payments – proving high prices aren’t a cure-all.

The coffee industry is in the midst of a significant adjustment, with prices remaining consistently high for an extended period. Arabica coffee prices surpassing $4 per pound are driving a major industry shift. Roasters are adjusting blends, seeking cheaper origins, and renegotiating contracts. Prod...

07/03/2025

Starbucks has been making headlines left and right recently with its "Return to Starbucks" strategy and associated hard pivots.

It’s scrambling to regain ground in China after losing 20% market share since 2019 – 8% in 2024 alone. With Luckin and Cotti ruling the market, the coffee giant is now looking to sell a stake to stay relevant.

Sarah Charles speaks with Ed Sander (Tech Buzz China) about how now, global investors and Chinese heavyweights Meituan and China Resources Group are circling as Starbucks weighs a franchise model.

Starbucks has been making headlines left and right recently with its "Return to Starbucks" strategy and associated hard pivots. It is scrambling to regain ground in China after losing 20% market share since 2019 – 8% in 2024 alone. With Luckin and Cotti ruling the market, the coffee giant is now l...

04/03/2025

Roasters for sale – how poor cash flow is driving investment opportunities
For years, independent coffee roasters thrived on craftsmanship, direct trade relationships, and the growing demand for premium coffee.

Today, specialty coffee roasters are scrambling for cash, selling stakes or entire businesses at record rates. With Arabica prices soaring past $4 per pound, roasters face a brutal choice.

Sarah Charles speaks with Kim Logsdon about how many roasters will have to raise prices, cut quality, or find investors – fast.

For years, independent coffee roasters thrived on craftsmanship, direct trade relationships, and the growing demand for premium coffee. Today, specialty coffee roasters are scrambling for cash, selling stakes or entire businesses at record rates. With Arabica prices soaring past $4 per pound, roaste...

28/02/2025

For years, marketing to younger consumers was the domain of upstart brands – those willing to take risks with TikTok trends, influencer-led campaigns, and meme-driven advertising.

Today, Gen Z’s $360 billion spending power has brands investing in youth-driven marketing. Dutch Bros Coffee just appointed a Gen Z and Alpha specialist to its Board of Directors.

Sarah Charles speaks with André Eiermann about how coffee chains are borrowing beauty’s playbook – TikTok trends, influencers, and viral hype – but how without balance, this risks costing them loyal customers.

For years, marketing to younger consumers was the domain of upstart brands – those willing to take risks with TikTok trends, influencer-led campaigns, and meme-driven advertising. Today, Gen Z’s $360 billion spending power has brands investing in youth-driven marketing. Dutch Bros Coffee just ap...

25/02/2025

For years, China’s coffee market was hailed as a rising force, with annual consumption growing by 15%, vastly outpacing the global average of 2.2%.

China’s coffee boom continues, but CoE demand is shifting. Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are snapping up CoE coffees as China’s specialty scene pivots to trendy, hybrid drinks.

Sarah Charles speaks with Mau Perez, (Shanghai Cooway Trading Company) and Steve Wu (Melitta Professional) about how Luckin and Cotti’s rapid expansion is fuelling mass-market coffee, leaving ultra-premium lots for a niche few.

For years, China’s coffee market was hailed as a rising force, with annual consumption growing by 15%, vastly outpacing the global average of 2.2%. China’s coffee boom continues, but CoE demand is shifting. Luckin and Cotti’s rapid expansion is fuelling mass-market coffee, leaving ultra-premiu...

21/02/2025

Coffee prices have surged to unprecedented levels, yet for many in the industry, the biggest challenge is not simply the high cost of beans – it’s cash flow.

A $2.5 trillion trade finance gap is squeezing credit, forcing lenders to hike rates and cut off smaller coffee firms.

Sarah Charles speaks with William Hobby (Maverick Coffee Trading) and Marilena Kouidou (IWCA Greece and Coteco Consulting SA) about how as financing dries up, smaller players are turning to venture capital and supply chain finance to survive.

Coffee prices have surged to unprecedented levels, yet for many in the industry, the biggest challenge is not simply the high cost of beans – it’s cash flow. A $2.5 trillion trade finance gap is squeezing credit, forcing lenders to hike rates and cut off smaller coffee firms. As financing dries ...

18/02/2025

Coffee prices have reached record highs, pushing roasters and consumers alike to ask: How much further will they go, and will buying coffee remain sustainable?

Some brands are still offering bargain brews – Pret a Manger has announced it’s maintaining its too-good-to-be-true £5 a month subscription, including half price coffee perks.

Sarah Charles speaks with Doug Bachman about how big chains are keeping prices low with clever pricing tricks – but how long can it last?

Coffee prices have reached record highs, pushing roasters and consumers alike to ask: How much further will they go, and will buying coffee remain sustainable? Some brands are still offering bargain brews – Pret a Manger has announced it’s maintaining its too-good-to-be-true £5 a month subscrip...

14/02/2025

The USAID aid freeze has jolted the coffee industry, halting critical projects that support farmers and supply chains.

Many coffee growing countries rely on foreign aid – USAID alone funded over $45M in coffee projects from 2020-2024. This exposes coffee’s dependency problem and structural flaws.

Sarah Charles speaks with Michael Maxey (Marie Maxey Foundation) about the potential impact of losing USAID funds for the coffee industry.

For decades, U.S. foreign aid has played a pivotal role in the development of the global coffee industry. The USAID aid freeze has jolted the coffee industry, halting critical projects that support farmers and supply chains. Many coffee growing countries rely on foreign aid – USAID alone funded ov...

11/02/2025

Regenerative agriculture has quickly become the darling of the coffee industry.

63% of 79 agri-food giants call it a climate fix, but only 4 back farmers financially.

Sarah Charles speaks with Martin Mayorga (Mayorga Organics) about how ironically, the smallholder farmers who pioneered this indigenous practice risk being sidelined by trends and certifications.

Regenerative agriculture has quickly become the darling of the coffee industry. 63% of 79 agri-food giants call it a climate fix, but only 4 back farmers financially. Ironically, the smallholder farmers who pioneered this indigenous practice risk being sidelined by trends and certifications.

07/02/2025

In recent months, the global coffee market has experienced an unprecedented surge in prices, with arabica futures reaching record highs.

Coffee prices hit a record high, breaking $4/lb for the first time. Trump’s recent tariff threats on Colombian coffee have exacerbated the situation. With arabica stocks down 100,000 bags, roasters face soaring costs, and retail prices could rise 20-25%.

Sarah Charles speaks with Javier Blas, Bloomberg opinion columnist covering energy and commodities, and Daniel Covarrubias, Director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University , about what the underlying factors are and what we can expect in the short and long term future.

In recent months, the global coffee market has experienced an unprecedented surge in prices, with arabica futures reaching record highs. Coffee prices hit a record high, breaking $4/lb for the first time. Trump’s recent tariff threats on Colombian coffee have exacerbated the situation. With arabic...

04/02/2025

In recent years, a growing number of coffee roasters – ranging from small artisanal operations to multinational corporations – have ventured into owning coffee farms.

Green coffee export value accounts for less than 10% of the US$250 billion of revenues generated in coffee retail. Soaring costs, climate risks, and cultural gaps make coffee farming a losing bet for new entrants.

Sarah Charles speaks with Nico Herr, Chief Operations Officer at Mountain Harvest Coffee, and Denis Twinamatsiko, CEO of Now Africa Initiative about how roasters acquiring coffee farms isn’t just risky and difficult, it also stands to harm coffee-growing communities.

In recent years, a growing number of coffee roasters – ranging from small artisanal operations to multinational corporations – have ventured into owning coffee farms. Green coffee export value accounts for less than 10% of the US$250 billion of revenues generated in coffee retail. Soaring costs,...

31/01/2025

Bialetti, the iconic Italian brand behind the world-famous Moka Express, is on the verge of a buyout by Nuo Capital, a company founded by Stephen Cheng of the Hong Kong-based World Wide Investment Company (WWIC).

Drowning in €90.3M debt, the moka pot maker faces a buyout by Hong Kong’s WWIC as coffee capsules surge. Coffee pods saw a 63% profit jump, while moka pot sales decline – convenience is winning.

Sarah Charles speaks with Massimo Battaglia (Accademia del Caffè Espresso) about how Bialetti joins Pirelli and Ferretti in Asia’s growing portfolio of iconic Italian brands.

BIALETTI, the iconic Italian brand behind the world-famous Moka Express, is on the verge of a buyout by Nuo Capital, a company founded by Stephen Cheng of the Hong Kong-based World Wide Investment Company (WWIC). Drowning in €90.3M debt, the moka pot maker faces a buyout by Hong Kong’s WWIC as c...

29/01/2025

The days of a simple "black coffee, no sugar" being the hallmark of sophistication are giving way to a bolder, sweeter, and more colourful wave of caffeinated preferences.

75% of 18-34-year-olds customise their out of home coffee orders with syrups.

Sarah Charles speaks with Keely Wade (Lincoln & York), Heather Perry (Klatch Coffee), and Jake Leonti (Gregorys Coffee) about how Gen Z has turned “basic” drinks into proud indulgence, making caramel swirl & matcha lattes the new cool.

The days of a simple "black coffee, no sugar" being the hallmark of sophistication are giving way to a bolder, sweeter, and more colourful wave of caffeinated preferences. 75% of 18-34-year-olds customise their out of home coffee orders with syrups. Gen Z has turned “basic” drinks into proud ind...

24/01/2025

Few brands have managed to transform everyday culture quite like Starbucks. Its influence stretches beyond coffee cups and into the very language of caffeine consumption.

Starbucks has redefined coffee culture, raking in $36.2 billion across 40,199 stores globally. Fans love the creativity, but purists call out the twists on classics like the cortado.

Sarah Charles speaks with Andrew Ellenberg (RISE Integrated Marketing) about how its lingo may build loyalty, but meanwhile Gen Z’s craving for authenticity challenges the status quo.

Few brands have managed to transform everyday culture quite like Starbucks. Its influence stretches beyond coffee cups and into the very language of caffeine consumption. Starbucks has redefined coffee culture, raking in $36.2 billion across 40,199 stores globally. Fans love the creativity, but puri...

Coffee Intelligence