Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week.
Editor’s note
Coffee prices plunged earlier this week as Conab predicted a bumper 2025/26 harvest for Brazil.
Arabica and robusta futures dropped to seven and six-month lows, respectively, as the crop agency announced that it expects Brazil’s 2026 coffee production to reach a record 66.2 million bags. Arabica yields are predicted to increase by 23.2% to 44.1 million bags, while robusta production could grow by 6.3% to 22.1 million bags.
With Brazil’s largest arabica-growing area, Minas Gerais, receiving ample rainfall these past couple of weeks, coffee prices are expected to continue their downward trajectory.
In other news, the US Department of Agriculture has announced a US$1bn specialty crop programme for US farmers. The assistance programme covers coffee, meaning producers in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and California are entitled to receive one-off payments that will “help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors”, according to the USDA.
While the assistance programme is unlikely to increase the market share of US-grown coffee, it could provide necessary support for the country’s specialty coffee producers.
Top stories of the week
- Tue, 17 Feb – Arabica prices slide to a seven-month low. An anticipated bumper 2025/26 crop for Brazil, as well as higher rainfall in Minas Gerais, has been bearish for coffee prices. Robusta futures also dropped to a six-month low following a predicted four-year high for Vietnam’s coffee production. (New York City, New York, US)
- Tue, 17 Feb – MTPak Coffee sponsors more than 400 smallholder producers to attend PRF El Salvador. As part of its PRF Diamond Sponsorship, MTPak Coffee will support smallholders from countries including Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Panama to attend the event, taking place on 26 & 27 March. (San Salvador, El Salvador)
- Thu, 19 Feb – The 2026 US Barista Championship to run from 17 to 21 June in Denver. A total of 36 competitor spots are available at this year’s competition, which will be held at Huckleberry Roasters. Twelve spots are reserved for the top six finalists from the 2024-25 US Barista Championships until 31 March, and any unclaimed spots will be released to the public on 3 April. (Denver, Colorado, US)
- Fri, 20 Feb – Study finds extreme heat puts pressure on global coffee production. A new environmental analysis warns that rising temperatures are threatening the viability of several coffee-producing countries. The study highlights that major producers face significant crop losses unless urgent adaptation strategies and climate-resilient varieties are implemented throughout 2026 and beyond. (London, UK)
- Fri, 20 Feb – Applications open for Global Roasting Contest, Cold Brew Coffee Championship, and Global Cupping Championship at PRF El Salvador.
- The fifth Global Roasting Contest, sponsored by Cropster, will see top international roasters compete for the technical and people’s choice winning titles. Apply here.
- The seventh Cold Brew Coffee Championship, sponsored by Toddy, will see baristas compete to develop cold brews and signature drinks. Apply here and view the rules here.
- The second Global Cupping Championship, sponsored by PDG Media, sees competitors evaluate aroma, flavour, acidity, body, and balance with precision. Apply here and see the rules here.
Industry news
- Mon, 16 Feb – Jollibee eyes Philippine debut for Compose Coffee. The group plans the launch following its acquisition of a majority stake in the South Korean chain. The expansion aims to leverage Compose’s high-volume model to compete in the growing value-focused coffee market. (Pasig City, Philippines)
- Mon, 16 Feb – Japanese VC firm makes maiden investment in India’s coffee sector. The Indian chain, First Coffee Group, secured funding to accelerate its growth. The Gen Z-focused brand, which operates a digital-first model and sources exclusively from Karnataka, plans to expand its presence across major metro malls across India during the 2026 fiscal year. (New Delhi, India)
- Thu, 19 Feb – Community Coffee names Caesar Pereira as CFO. Effective 23 February, the former Nestlé executive succeeds Annette Vaccaro, who is retiring. The leadership transition will take place over the coming months to ensure continuity across global operations. (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US)
- Fri, 20 Feb – Paris Brothers plans new major hub in Kansas. The roastery signed a seven-year lease for 16,000 sq ft location at 13th and Baltimore, creating labs for product development and sensory work, and a test kitchen to speed micro lot releases and private-label rollouts ahead of summer events. (Kansas City, Kansas, US)
New launch
- Mon, 16 Feb – illy launches self-service coffee bars in the UK. The Italian coffee brand is rolling out its new “illy go!” self-service kiosks in high-traffic locations, such as offices and travel hubs, while maintaining the brand’s quality standards through automated technology. (London, UK)
- Wed, 18 Feb – REPA Middle East opens new Dubai facility. The spare parts distributor launched its showroom and fulfilment centre to enhance local stock availability and technical support for the regional coffee and catering industry. (Dubai, UAE)
- Wed, 18 Feb – Mill City Roasters unveils M-Series machines. Featuring in-house fabrication, the new roaster line aims to provide greater control over manufacturing and high-quality performance for professional coffee roasters. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)
- Thu, 19 Feb – SEB Professional launches compact WMF coffee machines. The new Perfection OFFICE, Elevation 10, and Peak 50 models are designed for small- to medium-sized offices and hospitality outlets. The rollout starts in China and will expand to Europe, APAC, and the US throughout the year. (Geislingen, Germany)
- Fri, 20 Feb – Seattle’s Best Coffee and Which Wich open in Cardiff. New outlets offer premium coffee drinks, grab-and-go sandwiches, and loyalty sign-ups for shoppers and commuters, extending trading hours to capture weekend footfall and retail demand. (Cardiff, UK)
Milestone
- Tue, 17 Feb – Westrock Coffee achieves 100% commitment to responsible sourcing. The company met its 2025 goal of ensuring all coffee and tea products are responsibly sourced. This milestone covers its global supply chain and impacts over 1.5 million smallholder farmers across 35 countries. (Little Rock, Arkansas, US)
- Wed, 18 Feb – Throne Sport Coffee raises US$10m. The brand secured funding and launched a DSD partnership with Big Geyser. The capital supports national scaling and retail expansion of its functional cold brew products throughout 2026. (New York City, New York, US)
Trade & production
- Mon, 16 Feb – Philippines to establish new high-value crop offices. The Department of Agriculture will establish dedicated offices for coffee, cacao, and mango to boost exports and productivity, thereby improving global competitiveness. (Manila, Philippines)
Research
- Mon, 16 Feb – CCCV reports 25% drop in coffee exports from Espírito Santo state. From January to December 2025, coffee shipments from the state declined sharply compared to the previous year. The Vitória Coffee Trade Centre report attributes this reduction to climate challenges and logistics issues affecting the flow of goods. (Vitória, Brazil)
- Wed, 18 Feb – Researchers study coffee fungus genomes. The study reveals how “species-jumping” genes enable the Hemileia vastatrix fungus to devastate coffee crops, prompting efforts to develop more resilient varieties. (Montpellier, France)
Events & competitions
- Mon, 16 Feb – Nordic Coffee Fest 2026 set for 28 Feb & 1 Mar. In addition to a trade show, lectures, and cuppings, the event will host the third Nordics Best Roaster competition, which includes a Public’s Choice Award, and the second Barista School experience. (Gothenburg, Sweden)
- Tue, 17 Feb – Beyond the Origin tour explores Guatemalan coffee heritage. Organised by Anacafé, the six-day immersive origin trip highlighted the country’s unique volcanic soils and microclimates, and emphasised smallholder farmers’ dedication to producing world-class arabica while preserving traditional cultivation practices. (Guatemala City, Guatemala)
- Tue, 17 Feb – World Tea Expo 2026 scheduled for 23 to 25 March. The event will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, bringing together global tea professionals for networking, educational workshops, and a trade show focused on industry innovation and sustainable sourcing. (Las Vegas, Nevada, US)
- Wed, 18 Feb – MICE2026 will take place from 26 to 28 March. The 13th annual Melbourne International Coffee Expo returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Following a record-breaking 2025 event with 31,000 attendees, it remains one of the largest coffee trade shows in the Asia-Pacific. (Melbourne, Australia)
- Thu, 19 Feb – Oceana Coffee launches weekly farmers market. Starting 21 February, the market will run every Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at The Culinary Crossroads. Featuring over 15 local vendors, the market aims to support small businesses and community engagement. (Lake Park, Florida, US)
- Wed, 18 Feb – CoffeeFest Madrid hosts first Live Green Coffee Auction. The event featured microlots from Central and South America. Results included a top price of US$25/lb and a total turnover of US$21,203 from 244 bids. Key winners included Kima Coffee and Andres Gutierrez. (Madrid, Spain)
- Fri, 20 Feb – WoC Dubai 2027 set for 26 & 28 January. The exhibition will host origin delegations, roasters, equipment suppliers, competitions, and educational talks, connecting producers, exporters, and regional buyers to boost sourcing and trade opportunities for specialty coffee in the Middle East. (Dubai, UAE)
- Fri, 20 Feb – Beth Spong announced as IWCA Networking Breakfast’s keynote speaker at 2026 NCA Convention. Spong, the President and CEO of Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company, will deliver her keynote address, “Sustaining What Sustains Us,” which will examine the essential foundations that underpin a resilient coffee industry. The IWCA Networking Breakfast will take place on 13 March from 8 am to 9 am and convene leaders from across the coffee supply chain. (Tampa, Florida, US)
Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:
- Tue, 3 Feb – Ernesto Illy Foundation joins Cerrado das Águas Consortium. The partnership aims to strengthen regenerative coffee farming and preserve water resources. The project focuses on supporting local producers in implementing sustainable practices resilient to climate change. (Patrocínio, Brazil)
- Thu, 12 Feb – Keurig Dr Pepper appoints new directors and updates governance. The company appointed Lubomira Rochet and Michael J. Sacks to its Board of Directors. These changes coincide with Timothy Cofer’s transition to CEO and the appointment of a new Lead Independent Director to strengthen the company’s strategic leadership and oversight. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)
- Fri, 13 Feb – Gregorys Coffee launches franchise programme to expand in the US. The specialty coffee chain will officially accept franchise applications to expand beyond its 40 company-owned locations. The programme aims to scale the business across the East Coast and new national markets throughout the 2026 fiscal year. (New York City, New York, US)
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