Coffee News Recap, 6 Jun: Arabica futures contracts to be priced in tonnes, 2025 WAC will be held in Seoul & other stories

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

Editor’s note

New York’s Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) recently announced that as of March 2028, arabica futures contracts will no longer be priced in US cents per pound. Instead, ICE will implement a US $/tonne (or metric ton) pricing mechanism, although a new date has not yet been confirmed for this transition. This aligns New York and London arabica futures contracts, making conversions from tonnes to 60kg bags easier.

For many producers, roasters, and traders, the biggest adjustment will be switching to the metric system, as the change will have little impact on the fundamentals of global coffee trade. It also means that coffee can be transported in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs, also known as “super sacks”), allowing for more streamlined bulk ordering.

In other news, a petition to exempt coffee from steep US tariffs has garnered over 10,000 signatures in just two months. President Trump announced the wide-ranging import levies in early April, sending shockwaves through global trade industries, including coffee.

The petition, initiated by New York’s Coffee Bros, calls for the Trump administration to exempt coffee from tariffs under US trade policies, recognise coffee as a non-manufactured, essential agricultural commodity, and protect US small businesses and the global producers they depend on.

With US-international trade negotiations still underway, we have yet to see if Trump will implement the full scope of the first round of tariffs. Vietnamese imports were to be taxed at 46%, Indonesian goods at 32%, and Indian imported goods at 26% – all of which would have huge consequences on the coffee trade.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 2 Jun – Petition to exempt coffee from US tariffs receives over 12,000 signatures. Coffee Bros’ petition urges the Trump administration to protect US roasters and importers, as well as the millions of global producers they depend on. The petition asserts that tariffs reaching up to 46% will compromise coffee quality and put small businesses at risk. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 3 Jun – Brazil’s 2025 robusta harvest may exceed estimates. Field reports indicate that Brazil’s 2025 robusta production, including conilon, is likely to surpass initial forecasts, exerting downward pressure on global robusta prices as yields rise across key producing regions. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Proud Mary launches fundraiser to support US expansion. The Melbourne-born specialty roaster launched a StartEngine campaign to fund the expansion of its two US cafés, enhance its direct-to-consumer subscription service, and scale wholesale distribution, leveraging its track record of US $100 million in lifetime revenue and a decade of 16% average annual growth. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Midlife coffee consumption linked to healthier ageing in women. Harvard researchers tracked nearly 50,000 women over 30 years, finding that those who consumed three daily cups of coffee in midlife were more likely to reach 70 disease-free with improved mental and physical function. Soda intake, meanwhile, correlated with poorer ageing. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Colombia’s La Palma y El Tucán halts operations. The renowned specialty coffee producer, which helped pioneer experimental processing, has temporarily ceased operations. In an Instagram post, the company cited “Covid, drastic market shifts, and the relentless challenge of climate change” as ongoing difficulties affecting operations. (Zipacon, Cundinamarca, Colombia)

Industry news

• Mon, 2 Jun – Peet’s Coffee drops non-dairy milk surcharge. The chain removed its US 80 cent surcharge for oat, almond, and Ripple non-dairy milks, aligning prices with those of its dairy options. This move follows the dismissal of the ADA lawsuit and campaigns by Paul McCartney and PETA, joining competitors like Starbucks and Dunkin’. (Berkeley, California, US)

• Mon, 2 Jun – Starbucks seeks two US Global Coffee Creators for year-long social media campaign. One internal and one external hire will spotlight between ten and 15 global locations, including the chain’s farms in Costa Rica, as Starbucks seeks to engage with Gen Z. This initiative follows Nescafé’s partnership with Zach King and Suntory’s partnership with Andy Cooks. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 3 Jun – Chagee reports 35.4% revenue growth amid teahouse expansion. Net revenues increased to almost RMB 3.4 billion, driven by rapid store expansion, now totalling over 6,680. Operating margin slipped to 24.2% amid higher expenses, although net income increased 13.8% to RMB 677.3 million. (Shanghai, China)

• Tue, 3 Jun – Kaapi Solutions secures Rocket Espresso’s rights in India. Under an exclusive agreement, Kaapi Solutions, a leading provider of premium coffee equipment in India, will be the sole distributor and importer of Rocket Espresso’s Sotto Banco and Doppia machines. (New Delhi, India)

• Tue, 3 Jun – BRITA renews partnership with LTA to extend sustainable hydration. BRITA will provide filtered water dispensers and refillable bottles at key LTA events, including in Nottingham, Birmingham, Queen’s Club, and Eastbourne, building on its 2024 effort that saw over 200,000 single-use bottles cut, reducing single-use plastic waste. (London, UK)

• Tue, 3 Jun – Costa Coffee expands in Georgia with flagship Tbilisi store. Following its 2022 debut at Tbilisi airport, Costa Coffee has opened a new city outlet on Chavchavadze Avenue under a franchise agreement with Azerbaijan’s Sarda Group, signalling a broader push into urban locations. (Tbilisi, Georgia)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Brazilian soluble coffee to feature quality seals. The Brazilian Association for the Soluble Coffee Industry (ABICS) will launch a new quality seal programme for Brazilian soluble coffees on 11 June in São Paulo, classifying products into “Excellence”, “Premium”, and “Classic” categories based on sensory attributes. The inaugural seal will appear on Native’s organic instant coffee to guide consumers on optimal uses. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Caffè Nero reports strong Q3 sales growth. Global Q3 sales rose 11% and UK sales up 8%, boosted by record trading during the 2024 holiday season. Fifteen new stores opened, including Saudi Arabia’s debut, bringing the global total to 1,121. Will Stratton-Morris moves to group CBO role as UK CEO search begins. (London, UK)

• Thu, 5 Jun – Cornish Bakery targets 400 UK stores. The food and coffee chain has identified nearly 350 new locations in tourist hotspots and high streets, and appointed its first property director to secure prime retail sites as it aims to expand to 400 UK stores. (London, UK)

• Thu, 5 Jun – StoneX Specialty Coffee opens first US warehouse. The new logistics hub in Riverside, Missouri, features a cupping lab and roasting equipment, supporting US roasters with education, certification, and reduced transit times. (Kansas City, US)

• Thu, 5 Jun – New CEO named for South Korea’s Hollys. KG F&B appointed Yoon Seok-chan as CEO to lead Hollys and other brands following the merger, succeeding Lee Jong-hyun. Yoon joined as COO in early 2025 and brings strategic consulting experience from Monitor Group and EY-Parthenon. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Thu, 5 Jun – Joe & the Juice appoints Novak Djokovic as brand ambassador. The tennis player joins Joe & the Juice as health & wellness ambassador and shareholder, collaborating on brand campaigns, product development, and franchise expansion in Serbia and Montenegro to promote nutrition and wellness. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

• Thu, 5 Jun – Starbucks names Mike Grams as Chief Operating Officer. Grams moves from North America chief coffeehouse officer to COO, taking charge of global coffeehouse development and supply chain in CEO Brian Niccol’s bid to refocus on core café operations. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 6 Jun – ICO reports coffee prices ease in May. Last month, the I-CIP averaged US $3.34 cents/lb, down 0.4% on April, while daily values fell to US $3.05 cents/lb by month end, citing uncertainty about tariffs as the leading cause. Robusta prices also fell 3.5%. (London, UK)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Simonelli Group inaugurates its rebuilt headquarters, featuring new production lines. The companu reopened its historic Belforte del Chienti facility, rebuilt after the 2016 earthquake, and added production lines for filter and super-automatic machines. An inauguration event featured regional officials, a roundtable of local industry leaders, and economist Stéphane Garelli on global economics. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Fairtrade awarded EU grant for EUDR compliance training. The Life Fairthrive project will train over 1,000 EU SMEs on EUDR compliance through sector-specific modules, workshops, peer learning, and traceability tool pilots over a 36-month period, with Fairtrade offices across multiple EU countries supporting deforestation-free supply chains. (Bonn, Germany)

New launch

• Tue, 3 Jun – Bulletproof unveils rebrand with new packaging and wellness focus. The bold rebrand reflects the company’s shift from its biohacking origins to a premium, wellness-focused coffee brand. Changes include new packaging, simplified artisan and enhanced lines with functional blends, and a refreshed visual identity. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Macap introduces Supra commercial grinder line. The new range features two models with 68 mm and 83 mm burrs, a fast-opening system for tool-free cleaning, and an adjustable chute. Designed for high-volume service, the Supra grinders are scheduled to ship to the US later this year. (Houston, US)

• Wed, 4 Jun – Linear by Blueprint Coffee launches three new RTD beverages. The company expanded its canned craft beverage lineup with three new items: an oat latte made with Penrose espresso and Oatly, the Reviver cold brew lemonade, and a spiced chai soda, now available in Blueprint’s St. Louis cafés and Missouri retailers. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Wed, 4 Jun – WMF 2-Milk Solution now available for WMF 1500 S+. The launch allows users to prepare oat, soy, almond, and pea milks with four hot-foam and three cold-foam textures, and also includes cup detection and automatic cleaning features. (Ulm, Germany)

• Thu, 5 Jun – Crimson Cup releases 2025 startup cost guide for independent coffee shops. The guide details estimated startup costs ranging from US $50,000 for mobile trucks up to US $350,000 for seating-only cafés, outlining key expenses such as equipment and staffing. It offers step-by-step support through its 7 Steps programme and cites enduring success stories of independent shop owners. (Columbus, Ohio, US)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Stronghold launches Roastware beta testing applications. The software, soft launched at WoC Jakarta, allows roasters to compare detailed roast profiles side-by-side, streamline green bean inventories, and explore specific machine features. Stronghold users can apply to be part of an exclusive beta testing group to try the pre-release version. (Seoul, South Korea)

Trade & production

• Tue, 3 Jun – Indonesia coffee exports rise despite tariff and EUDR concerns. Production for 2025/26 is forecast at 11.3 million bags, led by robusta harvests. Exports are expected to rise by 7% to 6.5 million bags, but looming 32% US tariffs and EUDR compliance may curb shipments. Domestic demand is expected to grow slightly to 4.81 million bags as consumers shift to lower-cost and RTD options. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Thu, 5 Jun – Uganda’s April coffee exports surge by 77%. The country’s exports reached 694,318 60kg bags in April, generating over US $214.3 million in revenue. Robusta shipments jumped 105%, while arabica fell 0.8%. Strong harvests in Masaka and the southwestern regions, combined with high global prices, drove growth. (Kampala, Uganda)

Research

• Mon, 2 Jun – Caffeine consumption before bed can increase brain criticality and impair sleep. A University of Montreal study involving 40 adults using EEGs found that caffeine pills taken one to three hours before sleep increased brain signal complexity and wake-related beta waves, while reducing restorative theta and alpha activity. The effects were stronger in younger participants. (Montreal, Canada)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 2 Jun – First-ever Barista League Asia event to take place in Tokyo. The event, scheduled for 12 June at Adrift, will bring together the region’s top baristas to compete, with guest judges Miki Suzuki, Yasuo Ishii, and Taka Ishitani, alongside a roasters’ village, pop-up café, interactive games, and prizes from Oatly, Toddy, and Rancilio. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Mon, 2 Jun – Food & Drinks Malaysia to welcome 18,000 visitors and 1,000 brands. The event will run from 1 to 3 July at MITEC, featuring 500 exhibitors from 60 countries. The event showcases food and beverage innovations, including coffee, and brings together industry leaders and hospitality innovators from across Asia, Europe, and the US to explore sector trends. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Mon, 2 Jun – Beantropy will convene coffee professionals in Paris on 1 July. The event’s second edition will bring together producers, roasters, and industry experts, featuring panels, workshops, masterclasses, and the Soil of Excellence competition to explore career and business opportunities. (Paris, France)

• Mon, 2 Jun – Cecafé to host tenth coffee dinner & summit in Campinas. The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council convenes from 2 to 4 July at the Royal Palm Hall to discuss future trade flows, leadership of Brazilian coffees, and address economic, climate, socio-environmental, regulatory, and logistical challenges. (Campinas, Brazil)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Starbucks to host inaugural Global Barista Championship in Las Vegas. Twelve finalists, chosen from over 84,000 Starbucks baristas, will compete from 9 to 11 June at the company’s Leadership Experience conference, showcasing their coffee storytelling, coffee preparation, and customer service skills. (Las Vegas, Nevada, US)

• Fri, 6 Jun – Third edition of the World Coffee Innovation Summit will return to London on 23 & 24 October 2025. The theme of this year’s event will be: “The bigger picture: Crafting an ecosystem business model for shared prosperity – Unlocking coffee & cocoa synergies through innovation”. Key topics will include EUDR, CSRD, and CS3D regulatory compliance, regenerative agriculture and soil health, investment strategies, blended finance, and farmer-driven models and inclusive value creation. Early bird registration is open until 18 July. (London, UK)

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

• Thu, 29 May – Tom N Toms expands US presence with Texas hub and drive-thru. Seoul’s Tom N Toms Coffee relocated its US roasting hub from California to Texas to supply 12 stores. It opened its first drive-thru store in Houston. The outlet features an expanded menu with Korean-inspired offerings alongside espresso, bingsu, teas, and energy drinks. (Houston, Texas, US)

Photo credits: Shane Gallagher, Acaia, The Barista League

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