The specialty coffee industry, once defined by its emphasis on craftsmanship and the artistry of small-scale production, is undergoing a radical transformation. Ironically, the sector now leans heavily on automation to scale, coming full circle. The shift to automation has a human cost – by 2030, up to 25% of the global workforce could lose their jobs to machines.
Organic coffee is trending. While the overall certified coffee area decreased by 2.5% in 2020, organic shot up by 24.6% in the same year. Some consumers have label fatigue with too many certifications on the shelves, and organic is easy to grasp. It could be a viable trend for the industry to bank on.
Dairy and plant-based milk plants and coffee brands are increasingly consolidating in a bid to tap into RTD coffee. As all types of milk lose market shares, brands are trying to hedge risk with product diversification. The RTD segment represents a lucrative opportunity for both coffee and milk brands.
Toby’s Estate acquisition by UCC Holdings Co. and expansion into the GCC market reflects a broader trend. Multinationals are seeking global expansion through specialty coffee chains by tapping into emerging markets with a strong demand for specialty.
As more and more young farmers exit the industry, coffee's generation gap is becoming more pronounced
In recent years, coffee consumers have begun to demand convenience above all else. For many, the next question is obvious: what does this mean for "craft" in specialty coffee?
Sri Lanka continues to be associated with tea production, largely driven by decades of government investment and policy directed towards infrastructure and development in the sector. However, the country could soon become a notable coffee origin.
It's estimated that around the world, we drink more than 400 billion cups of coffee every single year. And with consumption growing year on year, that means there's plenty of money to be made in the coffee sector. But who tops the list?
During his presentation at PRF El Salvador, Bram explored how “value” is assigned in the coffee industry – and how a more systematic approach to understanding value could lead to greater alignment between supply and demand.
Despite the fact that the definition is more complex, "specialty coffee" as a concept is still largely used to refer to small, single-store owner-operated businesses rather than larger organisations.
Blurring the traditional lines between “professional” and “consumer”, prosumers are individuals who seek to replicate a professional coffee experience at home. However, the grey area prosumers have historically occupied is becoming more defined – and it is an increasingly relevant space for espresso machine manufacturers.
DEMAND FOR flavoured coffees shows that the next generation of coffee consumers are after something different in their cup. While the pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks is now infamous, flavours such as strawberry cheesecake, s’mores, twinkies, and cinnamon toast are all increasingly being added to drinks in large coffee chains around the world.
As Americans became more health-conscious, Dunkin' pivoted to become a coffee-first brand. By 2021, it was selling more than 4bn cups per year.
Offering free coffee can help attract new customers. As Luckin and Tostao discovered, it can also bring businesses to the brink of collapse.
By the age of 10, the founder of Mayorga Coffee had been through more than most people would their entire lives.
Coffee cooperatives have existed since the first half of the 20th century.
The ICO estimates that just 8-10% of the coffee produced in El Salvador stays in the country.
Only 13% of coffee roasters in the US are Latino-owned – companies like Mayorga Coffee are carving out new opportunities.
A handful of innovative coffee producers are taking a renewed approach to stem the flow and put El Salvador back on the global coffee map.
As consumption in China grows 15% per year, the state has encouraged a focus on higher quality coffee production in the region.
