Coffee News Recap, 20 Jun: NCA report says specialty coffee consumption is at 14‑year peak, Vietnam robusta exports hit record high & other stories

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

Editor’s note

Specialty coffee consumption in the US has reached a 14‑year high. According to the National Coffee Association, 46% of adults in the US reported drinking a specialty coffee in the past day, up 84% since 2011 and surpassing past-day traditional coffee consumption at 42%. This milestone marks a shift led by younger consumers, with more than half of those aged 25 to 39 now opting for specialty-grade beans.

On the production front, Vietnam’s robusta exports have surged to unprecedented levels. In May, shipments rose 15% year‑on‑year, bringing the total export value for the first five months of 2025 to over US$ 5 billion. Strong demand from the EU and US markets has driven this growth, despite persistent logistical bottlenecks and global supply shortages.

Taken together, these trends illustrate a global market in a state of flux. On one hand, US consumers have a growing appetite for premium coffee experiences. On the other hand, leading origins, such as Vietnam, are scaling up to meet demand for more cost-effective options as customers’ pockets tighten.

Looking ahead, brands that strike a balance between quality, cost, consistency, and value are best poised to navigate an ever-evolving market. As the C price dips to multi-month lows, this challenge may become easier to achieve.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 16 Jun – Vietnam robusta exports reached a record high in May, driven by strong demand from the US and EU. Shipments in May 2025 totalled 149,000 tonnes valued at US $5,709/tonne, representing a 60.5% increase in volume and a 120% rise in value compared to the same period in 2024. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Mon, 16 Jun – Lavazza reportedly exploring strategic tie‑up with Germany’s Dallmayr. According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Italian brand is in preliminary talks to merge with Munich-based Dallmayr, aiming to strengthen its presence in Central Europe and expand its convenience retail offerings. (Turin, Italy)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Jack Simpson wins third consecutive Australian Barista Championship. Representing Axil Coffee Roasters, Simpson will represent Australia at the 2025 World Barista Championship at HostMilano in October. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Wed, 18 Jun – NCA says specialty coffee consumption at a 14‑year peak. The most recent National Coffee Data Trends Specialty Coffee report indicates that 46% of US adults consumed specialty coffee in the past day, representing an 84% increase since 2011 and outpacing traditional coffee consumption. The report also found that past-day specialty coffee drinkers are more likely to have their coffee prepared out of home (35%) than past-day traditional coffee drinkers (20%). (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 18 Jun – Coffee futures drop to multi-month lows as illycaffè CEO projects arabica prices to stabilise at US $2.50 to $3/lb. The New York ICE arabica contract for September delivery closed at US 322.30 cents/lb – the lowest price since late January. London September ICE robusta futures fell by 6.4% to US $3,891/tonne, representing the lowest level since late May. (London, UK)

• Thu, 19 Jun – SCA announces Brussels as the host city of 2026 World of Coffee European event. The 2026 trade show will return from 25 to 27 June at Brussels Expo, marking the first time that WoC will be held in the Belgian capital. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 20 Jun – Danone US expands Florida facility to boost RTD coffee and creamer production. The company reopened full operations at the 115,000 sq ft Jacksonville plant, following a US $65 million upgrade that adds new lines for STōK cold brew and International Delight creamers, as well as a distribution centre to improve supply efficiency across the Southeastern US. (Jacksonville, Florida, US)

• Fri, 20 Jun – JDE Peet’s to close historic UK factory. The Dutch coffee giant will cease roasting operations at its Ruscote Avenue site in February 2026, relocating production and R&D to larger facilities in the Netherlands and Germany, while reviewing packing roles in Oxfordshire as part of a cost-saving consolidation. (Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 16 Jun – illycaffè renews exclusive coffee role at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The Italian brand is the coffee partner for #50BestTalks, Chefs’ Feast, and the awards ceremony. (Turin, Italy)

• Mon, 16 Jun – Juan Valdez targets further European expansion after opening its Istanbul airport store. After debuting its first airport outlet at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen, Juan Valdez is accelerating European growth with a joint venture in Spain, planning 140 shops and further openings across Turkey and beyond. The chain aims to double its presence in key markets by 2030. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew franchisee M7B secures fresh funding to expand operations. The investment will enable M7B to open 15 new franchised outlets, upgrade its central kitchen for cold brew and blended drinks production, and strengthen staff training programmes to maintain quality consistency across its growing network. (Springdale, Arkansas, US)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Asda launches £10 mn café modernisation plan across its UK stores. The supermarket chain will refurbish 150 in‑store cafés with modular seating, digital kiosks, revamped menus, and energy‑efficient equipment. Rollout is scheduled to begin this summer, aiming to enhance the customer experience and increase food-to-go sales by year-end. (Leeds, UK)

• Wed, 18 Jun – MOKAFÉ unveils its US franchise programme to expand into 30 states. The Yemeni-inspired specialty coffee group is inviting franchise partners to help expand operations across 30 US states over the coming years. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 18 Jun – Emily McIntyre launches Swift Coffee Sourcing in Kansas City. After Catalyst Trade’s closure, McIntyre founded a new import company with Michael McIntyre as sourcing director and Leslie Wyatt as operations director. (Kansas City, Kansas, US)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Nestlé to invest US $1.3 bn in Brazil by 2028. The company plans to deploy fresh capital into its Brazilian operations, modernising factories and distribution centres, expanding its research and development facilities, and boosting local brands across food and beverage segments. The move underscores a renewed focus on sustainability and innovation in Latin America. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Algrano opens direct trade platform to all coffee producers. Any registered seller can now quote, contract, and ship to roasters in Europe, the US, and Canada using Algrano’s CRM, logistics, and financing tools. Verified sellers gain additional market access services, including sales reps, Vuna Coffee School training, and marketing support. (Zurich, Switzerland)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Ceado to showcase latest REV grinders at WoC Geneva. The new range includes the REV ZERO, a finalist for the 2025 Best New Product Award, which features a Sweep-Out System and Red Speed burrs that minimise grind retention and are engineered to process up to 4,000 kg of coffee. (Spinea, Italy)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Non-profit 17g Coffee to spotlight projects at WoC Geneva. The non-profit will host tasting sessions of its Kenyan, Colombian, and Rwandan coffees, interactive brewing demonstrations, and cuppings to demonstrate its support of women in coffee. The Swiss non-profit will also host an exclusive presentation of Kenyan coffees at the Eversys stand, live roasting demonstrations on the new Bellwether Roaster, and a home espresso class with WMF Coffee Machines. (Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland)

• Fri, 20 Jun – ECOM launches digital tool for supply chain sustainability. ECOM Coffee Group’s Green Meter platform calculates carbon and biodiversity footprints across coffee supply chains. The tool enables producers and traders to benchmark their environmental impact, identify areas of concern, and inform climate-smart sourcing decisions. (Zurich, Switzerland)

• Fri, 20 Jun – Highlands Coffee to open cafés in hotels and tourist sites. The Vietnamese chain has signed a partnership with Sun Group to integrate its outlets into upcoming resorts, theme parks, and hotel developments nationwide. The deal aims to capitalise on rising domestic tourism and enhance the brand’s presence across key leisure destinations. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Fri, 20 Jun– Nestlé Chairman Paul Bulcke to retire in April 2026 after 15-year tenure. The board will nominate current CEO Ulf Schneider as the successor at the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Bulcke’s departure concludes nearly 50 years with the company, including roles as CEO (2008–2016) and chairman (2017–present). Schneider has served as CEO of Nestlé since 2017. (Vevey, Switzerland)

• Fri, 20 Jun – Washed Gesha receives highest bid of US $66/lb at 2025 CoE Nicaragua auction. Over 158 lbs of the coffee, which scored 90.73 points, were purchased for more than US $10,476 by Coffee Me Up in South Korea and Indonesia’s Two Hands Full. (Matagalpa, Nicaragua)

New launch

• Mon, 16 Jun – Bulletproof adds Enlightener to its Enhanced Coffee range. The medium-dark roast blend, infused with L-theanine, Panax ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba, is offered in both roast and ground and pod formats. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Finlays publishes 2024 sustainability report. The company reported that 100% of its tea and 99% of green coffee shipments are now traceable to the factory or mill, with all green leaf tea traceable to the farmer. Finlays also reduced its Scope 2 emissions by 47% and increased use of renewable electricity by 63% compared to 2023. (London, UK)

• Wed, 18 Jun – ColdPerk unveils the Café 2 system for on-demand espresso-strength concentrate. The Café 2 brews 13% to 17% TDS concentrate via continuous or batch modes, using 19g pucks, and offers adjustable strength and flow rates. (Carmel, Indiana, US)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Victoria Arduino will debut PBtech extraction system at World of Coffee Geneva. PBtech uses an on/off valve to pulse water during espresso extraction, which Victoria Arduino says reduces acidity and bitterness while enhancing sweetness and consistency. It accelerates shot times through water agitation and is available on Black Eagle Maverick and E1 Prima PRO machines. (Geneva, Switzerland)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Firescope launches new Between Batch Protocol recording feature. The new feature enables roasters to track preheating time, set maximum preheat durations, and save crucial preheating data directly with each roast record. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Fri, 20 Jun – Angelino’s Coffee launches world’s first collection of 16 Cup of Excellence champions. The limited-edition series begins with Gesha and Bourbon lots from Honduras, Costa Rica, and Peru, roasted by US Coffee Roasting Champion Rudy Altamirano on Stronghold SX9 and SX7 machines. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Fri, 20 Jun – International Coffee Organisation relaunches Coffee Sustainability Support Database. The interactive digital platform is designed to enhance transparency, collaboration, and strategic alignment across sustainability initiatives in the global coffee sector. The Coffee Sustainability Support Database (C2SD), previously known as the Coffee Sustainability Initiatives Map, now features an improved interface with intuitive dashboards, which include a dedicated Country View and Project View, that offer access to data about over 400 sustainability projects in coffee-producing countries. (London, UK)

Trade & production

• Mon, 16 Jun – Mexico boosts Vietnamese coffee imports over 50 times in 2025. Volumes rose from 18,000 kg in 2024 to 984,000 kg through May, driven by tariff suspensions and a spike in roasters seeking robusta for specialty blends. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Mon, 16 Jun – Peru’s coffee production rebounds to 4.2 million bags, with the US accounting for more than half of its exports. After two years of contraction, Peru’s 2025/26 output is forecast at 4.2 million 60kg bags, with exports rising to 4 million and domestic consumption at 375,000 bags, driven by growing demand. The US remains Peru’s top export destination, accounting for 55% of shipments. (Lima, Peru)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Mozambique aims to produce over 90 tonnes of coffee in 2025/26. Forecast includes arabica and robusta output, with export volumes pegged at 85 tonnes and domestic consumption at 15 tonnes. Government programmes on nursery development and agronomic training aim to raise yields and quality. (Maputo, Mozambique)

Research

• Mon, 16 Jun – World Coffee Research kickstarts global coalition to combat coffee leaf rust. A multinational network of scientists from Latin America, Africa, and Asia will share genomic surveillance data, remote sensing data, and breeding protocols to track the spread of Hemileia vastatrix, develop resistant cultivars, and coordinate field interventions. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Moderate coffee consumption linked to lower risk of heart attacks. A meta-analysis of 15 cohort studies found that drinking three to four cups daily was associated with an 18% reduced risk of myocardial infarction, with benefits peaking at moderate intake and diminishing beyond six cups. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Wed, 18 Jun – Black coffee linked to lower all‑cause mortality rates. Tufts researchers analysed long-term dietary and health data and observed that drinking black coffee (without cream or sugar) was associated with a statistically significant reduction in overall mortality risk, independent of smoking, exercise, and other dietary factors. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Thu, 19 Jun – Manual workload costs hospitality operators up to 78 days annually despite AI adoption. Research by BRITA Professional found that 35% of staff spend six to nine hours weekly on manual tasks, such as inventory and scheduling. Although 69% have AI strategies for optimising energy and waste systems, operations still lag behind. (London, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 16 Jun – Cecafe’s Coffee Dinner & Summit 2025 to address Brazil’s coffee trade challenges. The tenth edition will run from 2 to 4 July at Royal Palm Hall, convening exporters, regulators, and experts to debate economic, climate, socio‑environmental, regulatory, and logistical issues under the theme “The future of the flow of trade: protagonism and leadership of Brazilian coffees”. (Campinas, Brazil)

• Tue, 17 Jun – WoC Geneva to host four World Coffee Championships from 26 to 28 June. The 2025 World Latte Art, Coffee in Good Spirits, Cup Tasters, and Cezve/Ibrik Championships will take place at the event. Over 120 competitors will take part in the four competitions. (Geneva, Switzerland)

• Tue, 17 Jun – Hawaii Coffee Association conference returns to the Big Island. The 30th annual event will take place from 17 to 19 July at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, featuring a trade show, a statewide cupping competition, a welcome reception, expert sessions on farming, processing, and marketing, as well as networking dinners for growers, roasters, and industry stakeholders. (Kailua‑Kona, Hawaii, US)

• Wed, 18 Jun – Café Imports relaunches Eco’s Del Café sustainability field trip. In its second edition, the programme will bring 30 specialty coffee buyers to Chiapas, Mexico, for farm tours that showcase shade-grown agroforestry, water harvesting, and biodiversity monitoring. Participants will join cuppings, ecosystem workshops, and traceability sessions with local cooperatives. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

• Wed, 18 Jun – Coffee trade co-op highlighted at a side event of the China-Africa Expo. At the Changsha side event, over 150 delegates from ten countries signed MOUs with the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union. They announced the establishment of pilot processing centres in Ethiopia and Rwanda and witnessed a demonstration of a Silk Road e-commerce platform linking African green coffee to Chinese roasters. (Changsha, China)

• Thu, 19 Jun – New event features announced for MICE2026. Next year’s expo will include the Trip to Origin showcase, which will allow visitors to connect with producers, embassies, and green coffee traders, and MICE At Night, which offers extended exhibiting hours. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Fri, 20 Jun – Oceana Coffee to award US $500 community grant at A Cup of Kindness event on 26 June. Three nonprofits, Xcel Florida, Pandora’s Kids, and Artists of Palm Beach County, will pitch proposals at Oceana Coffee’s Lake Park shop. Customers vote in person or online to decide the winner, with free coffee and refreshments provided. (Lake Park, Florida, US)

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

• Tue, 10  Jun – Octagon BidCo finalises Bialetti acquisition. Octagon BidCo, backed by Nuo Capital, acquired a 78.65% stake in Bialetti, with plans to buy the remaining shares and restructure debt, reducing liabilities from €98.6 million to €44.1 million to streamline finances and support growth. (Brescia, Italy)

• Tue, 10 Jun – Krispy Kreme sells its remaining stake in Insomnia Cookies to reduce debt. The chain posted a US $33.4 m Q1 loss amid falling US sales and an underperforming McDonald’s partnership, using US $75 m from the stake sale to pare down liabilities and strengthen its balance sheet. (Charlotte, North Carolina, US)

• Wed, 11 Jun – Nestlé builds AI‑powered digital twins for Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Nespresso machines. The system creates virtual replicas of capsule brewers to simulate extraction, predict maintenance needs, optimise brewing parameters, and accelerate R&D. It supports remote diagnostics, recipe tuning, and improved machine performance across the product range. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Photo credits: Angelino’s Coffee, Specialty Coffee Association

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