Coffee News Recap, 19 Jun: Stumptown president exits months after KDP acquisition, Liberia to revive coffee production & other stories

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

Editor’s note

Laura Szeliga, who led Stumptown Coffee Roasters for five years, departed just two months after its parent company, JDE Peet’s, was acquired by Keurig Dr Pepper in a US$18bn deal.

Szeliga isn’t the only employee to have left Stumptown. Over the past month, at least half a dozen people across sales, marketing, logistics, and human resources have posted on LinkedIn about leaving the company. The pattern is familiar in large corporate acquisitions, where leadership installed under a previous owner often finds itself at odds with the incoming owner’s priorities.

In other news, Nigerian agro-development company JR Farms Group has signed a US$60m, 20-year partnership deal with the government of Liberia to revive the country’s coffee sector.

Liberia is known for liberica and has fertile soils suited to cultivating arabica and robusta. The deal is projected to benefit more than 200,000 farmers and generate over 300,000 jobs across the country’s coffee sector. For a country with significant agricultural potential that has long sat on the margins of global coffee trade, the agreement marks a serious attempt to compete.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 15 Jun – Starbucks reopens historic Pike Place store as immersive coffee experience. The “Original” Starbucks store, which opened in 1971, has a renewed focus on the brand’s traditional coffeehouse experience, offering exclusive merchandise and menu items and positioning baristas as storytellers. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Rains halt Brazil’s coffee harvest and raise risk of disease. Three days of rain hindered drying in Minas Gerais. Farmers have reported cherry drop and quality loss. More rain is forecast, complicating disease control, as producers can’t apply fungicide in these conditions. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Liberia signs 20‑year coffee partnership with JR Farms Group to unlock $60m investment. The deal aims to benefit over 200,000 farmers, develop 250,000 hectares of plantations, and boost production of liberica, arabica, and robusta. (Monrovia, Liberia)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Stumptown President Laura Szeliga leaves after five years, shortly after KDP acquisition. Her exit comes two months after the brand’s parent company, JDE Peet’s, was acquired by Keurig Dr Pepper. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Huracán Coffee launches award-winning coffee giveaway. The Lithuanian company, recently crowned the World’s Best Roaster at the 2025 Global Coffee Awards World Championship, will give away five 60g sample sets to five winners. Coffees include CoE-winning Bernardina La Esperanza from Café Pacas and the GCA Filter Washed Winner Avantage from Kamagogo Kiru Coop in Kenya. (Vilnius, Lithuania)

• Thu, 18 Jun – J. M. Smucker promises to lower retail coffee prices in 2027. Tariffs and high green coffee prices in 2025 forced the brand, which owns Folgers, Café Bustelo, and Dunkin’, to raise its prices. (Orrville, Ohio, US)

• Thu, 18 Jun – El Niño has an 82-96% chance to persist through 2026-27, threatening robusta yields in Vietnam and Indonesia. The phenomenon may disrupt flowering in Brazil, harm arabica quality, and cause drought in Southeast Asia, increasing the risk of coffee price volatility. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Fri, 19 Jun – WoC Brussels to host 2026 World Brewers Cup, Coffee Roasting, and Coffee in Good Spirits Championships. The event, taking place from 25 to 27 June 2026, will also include Roasters Village, Producer Village, Best New Product Competition, Coffee Design Awards, lectures, workshops, cuppings, and more. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Huracán Coffee to host WoC Brussels afterparty on 25 June. Celebrating their recent win at the 2025 Global Coffee Awards World Championship, the Lithuanian roaster is inviting the specialty coffee community to join them at Brasserie de l’Ermitage, one of Belgium’s best craft breweries. (Brussels, Belgium)

Industry news

• Mon, 15 Jun – ofi publishes first Choices for Change impact report. The report shows progress in farmer livelihoods, living income, human rights, climate action, and traceability across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices. 730,000 farms are geolocated in its EUDR-ready system. (Singapore)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Roasting Plant Coffee unveils global expansion push focused on international licensing. The tech-driven chain signed a deal in Singapore for up to 50 stores and is seeking partners in the UK and the Middle East. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Oceana Coffee expands to Plum Market in Palm Beach Gardens. The Florida roaster now offers whole-bean, ground, and cold brew cans at the store. Espresso-Style Cold Brew, a concentrated, two-serving can, is among the new items. (Lake Park, Florida, US)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Silver Apples Bakery secures supply deal with 92 Degrees. The Stockport sweet specialist will supply cookies, cronuts, brownies, and plant-based bakes to all 22 outlets nationwide. The bakery’s MD noted a natural alignment between the two northern UK brands. (Stockport, UK)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Alaska Airlines debuts Stumptown Cold Brew on select flights. First and Premium Class guests receive it complimentary, while Main Cabin passengers can purchase it. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Finlays publishes its 2025 Sustainability Report. The coffee and tea supplier recorded a 26% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2022, and 100% of tea made, green leaf tea, and soluble coffee is traceable to the factory, garden mark, farm, or mill. The company warns that without deeper value chain collaboration, pressure on producers and buyers will only intensify. (London, UK)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Robotic barista beats humans in Shanghai coffee showdown. The 7th‑gen COFE+ averaged 54 seconds per cup with a 0.3% error rate, versus 72 seconds and 1% for human baristas. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Zoku integrates POS, inventory, and payments for multi‑location coffee chains. Recent go‑lives include Rosso Coffee Roasters in Canada and Nomad Coffee in Spain, building on a multi‑brand QSR deployment with Chaw Group across Subway, Khiang Street Food, Juiceland, and Vendi. (Washington, DC, US)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Jenki to double London footprint with five new openings. The matcha-focused chain will add sites in Shoreditch, Covent Garden, Marylebone, Soho, and Fitzrovia, taking its total to ten. Founded in 2023, Jenki offers matcha‑based drinks, soft serve, and pastries. (London, UK)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Colombian police seize 2.4 tonnes of cocaine in coffee pellets at Cartagena port. The cargo, bound for Valencia, Spain, was found in 1,660 sacks of coffee pellets. Forensic testing showed a 9.8% cocaine concentration. Authorities say the seizure prevented about 6.1 million doses from reaching Europe. (Cartagena, Colombia)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Oatly and Nespresso expand iced coffee collaboration to 26 markets. The second chapter of the partnership introduces four curated recipes and signature drinks designed for oat milk drinkers. The Nespresso x Oatly Barista Edition blend will be available online and in boutiques for a limited time. (Malmö, Sweden)

• Thu, 18 Jun – ICP annual report highlights women’s empowerment and income gains for 12,819 coffee households. Projects across Brazil, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Uganda improved livelihoods and climate resilience, according to the report. Chair Rui Miguel Nabeiro said that women are key drivers of transformation yet are often excluded from access toresources and decision-making. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Starbucks plans to open up to 100 new stores in India annually. Tata Starbucks aims to add 50‑100 outlets each year. India is one of the fastest‑growing markets for the chain, holding about 30% market share. (Mumbai, India)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Dalla Corte named official machine sponsor of 2026 US Barista Championship. The Italian coffee equipment manufacturer, celebrating its 25th anniversary, only recently entered the North American market. The competition, which uses Dalla Corte’s Zero Plus machines, runs until 21 June at Huckleberry Roasters, where 36 baristas are competing for the top spot. Proud Mary’s Jak Michael Ryan was crowned the 2026 US Barista Champion. Saint Frank’s Jason Yeo placed second, and Lamppost’s Ziah Bloom placed third. (Denver, Colorado, US)

• Fri, 19 Jun – India’s Blue Tokai appoints Pranav Dahiya as Chief Business Officer. The former Yum! Brands and Chaayos executive will lead growth, strategy, and expansion in India’s premium coffee market. (New Delhi, India)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Hagen onboards Prolog Coffee co‑founder for new director role. Sebastian Quistorff sold his stake in Prolog earlier this year and has joined Hagen as Director of Quality and Brand Experience. The Copenhagen‑rooted coffee concept runs bars in London and Amsterdam. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Nestlé appoints Antonia Wanner as Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer. Wanner joins the Group Executive Board from 1 September 2026, adding communications to her current sustainability remit. The move follows Lisa Gibby’s decision to return to the US after six years as CCO. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 15 Jun – JAB sells remaining 4.3% stake in KDP, exiting its investment. The block trade of 59.1 million shares ends a decade-long involvement that began with Keurig Green Mountain’s 2016 takeover. JAB remains focused on other consumer businesses. (Luxembourg)

• Fri, 19 Jun – illycaffè denies Wall Street IPO rumours. CEO Cristina Scocchia said a listing is a strategic option, but no decisions have yet been made and no timetable has been set. Reports had suggested an IPO by the end of 2026 or early 2027. (Trieste, Italy)

New launch

• Mon, 15 Jun – Gail’s appoints Harry Goss as its first international MD. The former McWin partner will lead overseas expansion, with the PE firm backing Gail’s since 2021. (London, UK)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Garage Coffee Bros launches SensoCup CVA, a free web app for SCA-compliant coffee evaluation. It implements all three official CVA protocols, features a 60+ descriptor CATA system, supports nine languages, and includes a trainer-student live cupping mode. (Verona, Italy)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Carhartt WIP and Gemini Express launch a limited-edition moka pot. The 60-year-old Milanese manufacturer’s dual-spout brewer gets a workwear-inspired fashion makeover and features cat-and-mouse demitasse cups. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Blueprint Coffee releases Timespan dark roast. Previously exclusive to Trade for two years, the blend has notes of dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and almond. Roastery Director Nora Brady says it bridges old and new approaches to roast character. (St Louis, Missouri, US)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Blue Bottle launches Kyoto-Style Espresso globally. The cold‑water method replaces the hot‑brewed method with a time‑based extraction for smoother iced espresso that retains its character over ice, Blue Bottle says. CEO Karl Strovink says it moves iced espresso from an adapted process to a new standard. (Oakland, California, US)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Blackfinger Coffee opens in Camberwell as a co‑op. The queer-owned roaster’s name references the ink left after voting in India, and it focuses on Asian origins, including India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Blackfinger’s menu also features Colombian coffee, aligned with Racafé’s CRECER sustainability framework. (London, UK)

• Wed, 17 Jun – The Coffee Club launches a guarantee to remake any drink free if not made to order. From 15-21 June, customers bringing a competitor’s cup get a free coffee. The chain uses specialty Three Stories beans and has trained over 1,200 baristas. (Adelaide, Australia)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Fairtrade launches Plot Insights to help cooperatives comply with EUDR geolocation requirements. The free digital platform allows coffee and cocoa co‑ops to upload plot data, receive immediate error feedback and deforestation risk analysis from Satelligence, and share data with buyers via Fairtrade, starting in October. (Bonn, Germany)

• Thu, 18 Jun – 7‑Eleven Japan launches creamy iced latte with Hokkaido extra‑rich milk. The chain positions it as a summer refreshment, following its recent move to include alcohol in store offerings. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Spacegoods launches RTD mushroom iced coffee across the UK. The functional drink is available in Original and Vanilla Mocha at Sainsbury’s, with no added sugar and under 30 calories per can. Co‑founder Alex Neale says it taps into the same functionality as coffee but for all day. (London, UK)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Istanbul’s Cup of Joy to open first UK venue. The coffee shop and bakery will open its first English site in Marylebone in July. The chain serves a signature blend of arabica from El Salvador, Brazil, and Colombia, and all drinks come in bespoke ceramics made by the founder. (London, UK)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Dubai’s Roasters Specialty Coffee House to open in Hong Kong. The 2021-founded chain, known for its Cup of Excellence winners and a Guinness World Records title for the world’s most expensive coffee (US$680 a cup), currently operates 12 stores in the UAE. (Dubai, UAE)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Kicking Horse launches Cool Mule iced coffee blend. The limited‑time medium roast features peach, milk chocolate, and syrupy nectar notes, formulated specifically for iced coffee. It launched across US Costco from 8 June and online from 16 June. (Invermere, Canada)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Wacaco launches Prestina, a patented manual immersion brewer. It uses the cup itself as the press, requiring no electricity or paper filters. The brewing process involves 15g of medium-ground coffee, 240ml of water at 90°C, a one-minute infusion, then pressing down with the cup. (Hong Kong, China)

• Fri, 19 Jun – La San Marco launches globally with the La 125 flagship machine. The brand, founded in 1920, now joins SEB Professional’s portfolio. The La 125 offers ±0.1°C thermal stability and intuitive controls and is aimed at high‑volume specialty cafés and premium hospitality venues. (Verdello, Italy)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Option‑O unveils LAGOM GDS, a dual‑burr grinder with both conical and flat sets. The system features a 100mm conical and 102mm flat burr set, each with adjustable RPM. It is available for pre‑order, with deliveries expected in September. (Sydney, Australia)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Cerrado Mineiro to launch new brand strategy at WoC Brussels. The first Brazilian coffee Denomination of Origin will present its ‘Um Futuro Regenerativo para o Café’ positioning from 25 to 27 June at booth 11462, highlighting origin, regeneration, and value creation for future generations. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Canada’s Non-Conformity Coffee launches US and international shipping. The queer-owned Vancouver, BC roaster, which received an honourable mention at the World’s Greatest Coffee Packaging Competition, now offers tiered shipping and free Canada-wide shipping. (Vancouver, BC, Canada)

Milestone

• Mon, 15 Jun – Rancilio Group achieves UNI/PdR 125:2022 gender equality certification. The recognition covers pay equity, career development, and work-life balance. CFO Stefania Ragusa said inequalities are not always visible, making a structured commitment essential. (Parabiago, Italy)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Vietnam’s Highlands Coffee opens 1,000th store. CEO David Thai said the brand, founded as a 9 sq m kiosk, now serves over 100m cups annually and employs more than 12,000 people. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Tue, 16 Jun – South Africa’s Vida e Caffè celebrates 25 years with the opening of its 400th store. The brand now operates across eight African countries, up from a single Cape Town café founded in 2001. CEO Darren Levy said the milestone is thanks to franchise partners, teams, and loyal customers. (Cape Town, South Africa)

• Wed, 17 Jun – The Last Bean wins three Gold Awards at the 2026 Monde Selection in Paris. The Belgian roaster was recognised for Panama Gesha Suarez, Jamaica Blue Mountain BMCP Estate, and Saint Helena Bamboo Hedge Estate. Founder Steven Corveleyn said the awards confirm a vision built on the same attention to origin and terroir as the gastronomic world. (Knokke-Heist, Belgium)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Ancoats Coffee Co celebrates 10 years in Manchester. Founder Jamie Boland championed sustainable sourcing and helped pioneer the city’s specialty coffee scene. The Brews, Beats, 10 Years celebration will be held on 25 June from 6-9 pm at the roastery café in Royal Mills, with local beers from Shindigger, Ancoats Coffee Espresso Martinis, food from Kongs Chicken Shop, and live music. (Manchester, UK)

• Fri, 19 Jun – European Coffee Brewing Centre turns 50. Founded in 1972, the Oslo‑based facility certified its first brewer, a Moccamaster, in 1976. It has since evolved to test home and professional equipment, partnering with the SCA since 1997. (Oslo, Norway)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Groupe SEB achieves EcoVadis score of 90/100, regaining Platinum rating. The owner of WMF and La San Marco increased its score by eight points from 2025, placing it among the top 1% of all companies assessed worldwide. (Écully, France)

Trade & production

• Mon, 15 Jun – Coffee prices rise slightly due to harvest delays in Brazil from persistent rains. July arabica rose 0.91% and July robusta jumped 3.90% as moderate-to-heavy rain is forecast across growing regions this week. ICE arabica stocks fell to a 6.5-month low. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Nicaragua coffee production forecast down 4.7% to 2.44m bags in 2026/27, USDA reports. A likely El Niño in the second half of the year and a 25% rise in fertiliser costs are threatening yields. Exports are seen falling 7% to 2.25m bags. (Managua, Nicaragua)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Global coffee prices fell 3.8% in May, I‑CIP dropping to US 256.05 cents/lb. The decline was driven by expectations of a record Brazilian 2026/27 harvest, outweighing supply chain fears. Arabica groups fell 3.3-6.4%, while robusta rose 1.1%. (London, UK)

• Wed, 17 Jun – USDA keeps Peru’s 2026/27 coffee production forecast steady at 4.8m bags. The outlook includes 4.11m bags of arabica and 690,000 bags of robusta, with exports seen at 3.8m bags. Political instability and ageing farmers remain key challenges. (Lima, Peru)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Hail damages 10,000 hectares of coffee in southern Minas Gerais, with 44% severely affected. The storms hit 1,066 producers across five municipalities between 30 May and 1 June. DATAGRO warns that while localised, such events require wider attention, though they do not alter the positive supply outlook for the 2026/27 harvest. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Brazil secures coffee seed export authorisation to Panama. The country also opened its market to Brazilian fruit pulp and frozen fruit. Panama imported about US$100m in Brazilian agricultural products in 2025, including coffee, cereals, and forestry products. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Coffee Watch report finds 207,000 hectares of forest cleared for coffee in Vietnam since 1990. The Central Highlands lost a third of its forests, with cover falling from 42.8% to 19% of the region. The report warns of a water crisis, depleted soils, child labour, and climate risks, with half the robusta belt projected to become unsuitable for coffee. (London, UK)

Research

• Tue, 16 Jun – WCR connects Ugandan scientists with Cenicafé to strengthen seed systems. Uganda’s NaCORI and MAAIF representatives were trained in Colombia on propagation and quality assurance to support the country’s goal of 20 million bags by 2030. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Nespresso survey finds one in five UK travellers value in-room coffee machines as a key premium detail. 92% see hotel stays as an experience worth paying more for. 57% say a recognised coffee brand is important to their perception of luxury. The company promotes its Hotel Full Venue concept to deliver consistent quality across all hotel spaces. (London, UK)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Coffee tastes best midweek, says Oxford study. Wednesday peaks as the most enjoyable day, as people clear the midweek hurdle and anticipate the weekend. Research involving 3,000 people across 11 countries also found that spring, morning hours, and social settings boost appreciation for coffee. (Oxford, UK)

• Fri, 19 Jun – New study finds seven out of 10 Germans drink coffee every day. According to the latest edition of the Aral Kaffeestudie, more than 62% of Germans drink at least two to three cups of coffee a day, and nearly 30% drink four or more cups. Filter coffee remains the most popular drink. (Bochum, Germany)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 15 Jun – Birdhill Coffee Festival returns on 26-28 June. The three-day event features masterclasses, demos, competitions, and talks to improve home brewing. Attendees can win a Sage Barista Touch Impress and other prizes. (Tipperary, Ireland)

• Mon, 15 Jun – Caffè Culture 2026 returns to London on 29 & 30 September. The UK trade show, in its 20th edition, will host over 120 exhibitors and 3,500 attendees, featuring the Roasters Forum, Cupping Village, Brew Lab, and the European Speciality Tea Association’s Tea Hub. (London, UK)

• Tue, 16 Jun – Slow Coffee Festival 2026 to celebrate its tenth edition in Bucharest. The event runs 25-27 September at ROMEXPO, featuring a dedicated B2B day with workshops and networking. It will host the 2026 Romanian AeroPress Championship. (Bucharest, Romania)

• Tue, 16 Jun – HORECA Oman 2026 returns for its fifth edition from 14-16 September. The event is expected to attract over 8,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors. It will host barista, latte art, and mocktail competitions. (Muscat, Oman)

• Wed, 17 Jun – Record 139 entrants for Guatemala Cup of Excellence 2026. The competition, marking its 25th edition since 2001, received the highest number of submissions since 2010. The winners will be announced on 26 June, with the online auction set for 7 July. (Guatemala City, Guatemala)

• Wed, 17 Jun – SIGEP China returns to Shanghai on 17 & 18 June. The two‑day roadshow covers coffee, gelato, bakery, and pizza supply chains. China’s ice cream market exceeded €12bn in 2025, with artisanal gelato growing 15‑18% annually. (Shanghai, China)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Vienna Coffee Festival 2026 expands with workshops and championships. The event runs 11‑13 September at Marx Halle, featuring the 2025 World Barista Champion, plus an expanded Roasters’ Village, a Home Barista Area, and talks on climate change and specialty coffee. (Vienna, Austria)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Salon du Chocolat Dubai 2026 to host UAE Coffee in Good Spirits and Cezve/Ibrik Championships. The event runs 22‑24 September at Madinat Arena, expecting over 6,000 visitors and 120 exhibitors across chocolate, coffee, pastry, and gelato. (Dubai, UAE)

• Fri, 19 Jun – Beantropy 2026 returns to Paris on 30 June for talks on specialty coffee’s future. The professional event, organised by Terres de Café and Belco, gathers industry leaders to discuss key topics. Last year’s edition brought together over 200 international coffee professionals. (Paris, France)

• Fri, 19 Jun – International Coffee Convention and TriestEspresso Expo join forces on 19-23 October for a major coffee week. The partnership combines scientific content, innovation, and business opportunities. (Trieste, Italy)

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

• Thu, 11 Jun – ECF urges pragmatic, harmonised labelling under PPWR to avoid market fragmentation. The Federation calls for text‑free pictograms in monochrome versions, with digital labels and Digital Product Passports as flexible options. Colour‑based labels could cost up to 30% more per company annually. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 11 Jun – Brazilian coffee exports rise 3.6% in May, driven by robusta surge. Green coffee shipments increased 4.2% to 2.73m bags, but arabica fell 11.9% while robusta nearly tripled (+193%). Revenue dropped 16%. Futures rebounded on rain concerns in Brazil. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 11 Jun – Fairtrade premiums top €1bn in 2025 as group launches new 2026-28 strategy. The “Fairness First” report notes that 15 partners now pay Living Income Reference Prices. New digital tools aim to boost EUDR readiness for coffee and cocoa. (Bonn, Germany)

• Fri, 12 Jun – Diamond Brew raises seven‑figure pre‑seed round from NFL players and music executive Charlie Walk. The Chicago-based soluble coffee startup uses liquid-nitrogen flash‑freezing for single‑serve pods. Funds will add SKUs and expand into military retail via AAFES. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

Photo credits: Huracán Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, Rancilio, Beantropy

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