Coffee News Recap, 7 Aug: PRF to take place in Mexico for first time on 18 & 19 March 2027, Best of Panama 2026 results announced & other stories

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

Editor’s note

As the C market remains volatile, investing in relationships has never been more important. Against this backdrop, Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will head to Mexico for the first time on 18 & 19 March 2027, connecting international roasters with producers in coffee-producing countries.

The two-day forum will take place in Tuxtla, Chiapas, bringing together coffee professionals from around the world to network, exchange ideas, and build lasting working partnerships. Roasters from over 35 countries are expected to attend, giving them the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most exciting specialty coffee scenes firsthand, featuring a competitive barista circuit and an innovative coffee shop culture.

In addition to the forum, PRF Mexico will also host the Global Coffee Awards World Championship, crowning the World’s Best Roasters live at the event. It follows a 2026 season of regional competitions across Asia, MENA, Africa, US & Canada, Latin America, and Europe.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 3 Aug – Results announced for the 2026 Best of Panama. Altieri Specialty Coffee placed first in the Varietals category; Lamastus Family Estates won the Washed category; and Lérida Estate placed first in the Natural category. Hacienda La Esmeralda earned the Panama Cup with a total of 16 points, achieved through three top-three finishes. (Panama City, Panama)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Couche-Tard set to become one of Europe’s biggest coffee retailers after US$8.7bn Żabka acquisition. The group, which owns the Circle K brand, will acquire Żabka Group, Poland’s largest convenience retailer, in a US$8.7bn tender offer, its largest acquisition ever. Shareholders holding around 57%, including CVC and Partners Group, have agreed to sell. Żabka operates over 13,000 stores across Poland and Romania. (Poznań, Poland)

• Tue, 4 Aug – La Marzocco and Eversys push De’Longhi’s professional division past 40% revenue growth. The professional segment reached €139m in Q1 2026, now accounting for about 18% of total group sales. CEO Fabio de’ Longhi confirmed the strong expansion trend, with the prosumer segment also seeing rapid growth. (Treviso, Italy)

• Wed, 5 Aug – PDG Media to host How to Optimise Your Coffee Business’ Website to Get More Leads webinar on 27 August. Speakers will break down the key elements of a high-performing website and show brands where to focus efforts for the biggest impact. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Aug – PRF to take place in Mexico for the first time on 18 & 19 March 2027, hosting the Global Coffee Awards World Championship. The two-day forum will take place in Tuxtla, Chiapas, and is expected to attract roasters from 35 countries. Winning roasters from the 2026 GCA Asia, MENA, Africa, US & Canada, Latin America, and Europe editions will compete at the world finals. (Chiapas, Mexico)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Brighton Coffee Festival to return 8 & 9 August. Now in its eighth year, with over 50 exhibitors, talks and cuppings, the event will also host the UK & Ireland Filter Championships and BCF Latte Art Championships. (Brighton, UK)

• Fri, 7 Aug – Keurig Dr Pepper’s Q2 results beat expectations, but US coffee division underperforms. Sales rose more than 75% to US$7.31bn, driven by the acquisition of JDE Peet’s. The US coffee business, however, saw sales fall 3.2% to US$918m as volumes dropped 8.2%, only partly offset by a 5% rise in prices. The decline largely reflected a reporting change following the acquisition, which moved Peet’s K-Cup pod sales into the JDE Peet’s segment. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)

Industry news

• Mon, 3 Aug – Caffè Borbone H1 revenue rises 2.7% to €189.4m. EBITDA grew 3.5% to €38m and net profit to €27.6m, driven by capsule sales rising 16% and now accounting for 42% of total revenue. (Naples, Italy)

• Mon, 3 Aug – KCOFFEE on track to nearly double sales to about US$270m in 2026. Yum China’s coffee chain now has more than 3,300 locations and targets 5,000 by year-end 2027. It generated a mid-single-digit sales lift for parent KFC stores. (Shanghai, China)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Lavazza launches Tablì 100% coffee tab system in the US. The single-serve system features five blends and follows a sold-out pre-order. (West Chester, Pennsylvania, US)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Volcano Coffee Works signs deal to supply all WeWork UK sites. The B Corp roaster expects to serve over 10,000 cups daily across 57 locations, using a custom blend of Rwandan and Colombian beans. (London, UK)

• Tue, 4 Aug – illycaffè H1 revenue jumps 19% to €373m. EBITDA rose 10% to €53m despite green coffee prices up 20%. Italy and North America both grew 19%, while Europe grew 21%. The new Trieste roasting plant started up; a Westrock deal supports US growth. (Trieste, Italy)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Chinese tea chains Heytea, Mixue, and Teapulse win New York converts from coffee with fruit and cheese teas. Heytea has over 40 US locations, Mixue six in New York and six in California, and Teapulse is approaching 10 NYC stores with 25‑state expansion plans. Drinks range from US$2 lemonades to US$8 matcha lattes. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Second Cup appoints Joe Walker as CEO to lead international growth. The former Wingstop executive, who led GCC expansion, will be based in the Middle East while overseeing Canadian operations. The company is actively seeking franchise partners for further global expansion. (Toronto, Canada)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Kaapi Machines raises US$5.3m from Sedna HoReCa to scale distribution. The Bengaluru-based equipment supplier will use the funds to expand its product portfolio, manufacturing, and technology stack. It targets over US$18m in revenue this fiscal year. (Bengaluru, India)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Krispy Kreme seeks new corporate accounts after McDonald’s deal collapsed. The doughnut and coffee chain ended its US distribution partnership with the fast‑food giant last year, having reached only 2,400 of a planned 13,500 outlets. It has now appointed its first Chief Commercial Officer to secure large corporate clients. (Charlotte, North Carolina, US)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Laird Superfood expands Walmart footprint with Perform and Focus coffee lines. The rollout covers over 1,000 doors across the US, adding K‑Cups and the new Protein Creamer with Lion’s Mane and CognatiQ. (Boulder, Colorado, US)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over “Tank Day” campaign. The warrant cites allegations of insulting victims of the 1980 Gwangju uprising. Police are examining whether the promotion was deliberately planned to mock pro-democracy figures. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Fri, 7 Aug – DVG De Vecchi invests in circular economy with recyclable packaging and sustainable manufacturing. The component manufacturer aims for 100% recyclability by 2030. Its Tribiano plant uses renewable energy and has cut emissions by 15% year-on-year. The company also redesigned packaging to reduce materials and water consumption. (Tribiano, Italy)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 3 Aug – FSN Capital creates one of Germany’s largest bakery‑café groups with recent mergers. The private equity firm has formed the BrotWert Gruppe, combining Bäcker Görtz, Bäckerei Pappert, and Der Bäcker Eifler. The group operates around 500 outlets across Germany. (Munich, Germany)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Bain Capital acquires bubble tea chain Gong Cha for over US$635m from TA Associates. The 2006-founded brand operates nearly 2,200 stores across 33 markets, with 170 outlets in Australia alone. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2026. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Coughlans Bakery acquired out of liquidation by fellow bakery Janes Pantry. The 89-year-old chain, which closed 32 stores in July, will see “viable” sites reopen under new branding. Founded in 1937, the Surrey-based business was co-owned by comedian Romesh Ranganathan. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Dutch Bros to acquire up to 65 Salad and Go locations. The drive-thru chain will buy the bankrupt salad brand’s real estate for US$105m. The deal, expected to close in Q3, will see conversions to Dutch Bros shops in 2027. (Tempe, Arizona, US)

• Fri, 7 Aug – Protein coffee powder brand Javvy reportedly considers US$1bn. Sources say the potential sale comes as F&B brands consider capitalising on the growing demand for protein and functional coffee products. (Summerville, South Carolina, US)

New launch

• Mon, 3 Aug – Pret A Manger opens Roma Termini outlet with Chef Express. The 70 sq m site near platform 24 has 24 seats and 30 staff, serving organic coffee and daily-prepared food. The Italian network now includes 11 travel hubs, with more openings planned. (Rome, Italy)

• Mon, 3 Aug – SEB Professional launches La Delecta Black Edition entry-level espresso machine. The compact single‑boiler model is designed for small‑to‑medium cafés and hotels. It features IGTS thermal stability, an intuitive interface, and a matte black finish, with optional FTL steam control for fine milk foam. (Milan, Italy)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Starbucks opens 52nd Italian store in Valmontone with new Coffee Experience concept. The 100 sq m outlet at Valmontone Outlet features interactive zones tracing the bean-to-cup journey, 52 seats, and 13 local jobs. (Valmontone, Italy)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Khipu Coffee launches free 96‑page Peruvian Harvest Guide 2025/26. The UK importer’s publication covers six regions and includes stories from seven producers, four farms, and two producer organisations. It highlights experimental processing, rare varieties, and a new generation of producers investing in quality. (Lima, Peru)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Fresh Roasted Coffee debuts elevated envipods line with organic certification. The redesigned pod holds more coffee and a larger filter for better extraction. The line includes single origins like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Guatemalan Huehuetenango, plus decaf and a MMT variety pack. (Sunbury, Pennsylvania, US)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Lavazza opens third 1895 Coffee Designers café at Le Méridien Dubai. The venue offers manual brewing methods including V60, Chemex, and cold brew. The selection features Kafa Forest CRU, Cocoa Reloaded, and Flor de Oro, with artisanal food pairings by Le Petit Arch. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Innoroc launches Beyond as umbrella brand for Übermilk and new Plus X Collection. The modular undercounter system features touchscreen control, modules for foaming, dispensing, coffee, and tea. The company is pursuing NSF/UL certifications for US expansion. (Aachen, Germany)

• Fri, 7 Aug – 7 Brew launches its first mobile app, integrating its rewards programme. The drive-thru chain, which surpassed 700 stores earlier this year, said the app simplifies the guest experience. (Rogers, Arkansas, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 3 Aug – Yum China Q2 revenue rises 13% to US$3.1bn, operating profit hits record US$348m. Same-store sales grew 1% with transactions up 5% for the 14th consecutive quarter. The company opened a record 560 net new stores, reaching 19,297 total. (Shanghai, China)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Saddle Café signs deal to enter Qatar, its fourth international market. The UAE-born brand will open at Centro Mall in Doha in partnership with Al Mana Holding, following locations in Riyadh, Cannes, and London. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Luckin Coffee opens over 5,000 new stores in H1 as Q2 revenue jumps 28.5% to US$2.34bn. The chain ended June with 36,310 locations, adding 2,714 net new stores in the quarter. GAAP operating income rose 22% to US$312m, with monthly transacting customers hitting a record 112.7m. (Beijing, China)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Aillio opens new LATAM headquarters and showroom in San Salvador. The Danish manufacturer’s 1,100 sq ft facility in San Benito offers live roasting demonstrations, masterclasses, and training programmes. It will host the inaugural 2027 Regional Aillio Bullet Championship. The space opens to the public on 10 August. (San Salvador, El Salvador)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Jittery Joe’s Coffee named among Newsweek’s Best Premium Coffee Brands of 2026. The Athens-based roaster was recognised for its quality and commitment to sourcing. The list features 26 brands across 16 categories. (Athens, Georgia, US)

• Fri, 7 Aug – Black Rock Coffee Bar hits 200 locations with Denver opening. The drive-thru chain’s 11th Colorado store marks the milestone. CEO Josh Pike said expansion relies on baristas’ connection with guests. The brand plans 30‑35 new stores annually. (Scottsdale, Arizona, US)

Trade & production

• Mon, 3 Aug – Japan coffee imports up 28.6% month‑on‑month in June to 628,920 bags. Over the past 12 months, total imports reached 7.05m bags, a 1.24% increase on the previous period. Year‑on‑year, June imports fell 7.02%. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Expocacer arabica harvest reaches 66% in Cerrado Mineiro, 8 points behind last year. Rainfall in July slowed progress and raised quality concerns. The cooperative expects the final 3% of its members’ crop to be harvested by mid-August. The pace is consistent with the five-year average for the region. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Vietnam coffee exports rose 21.1% to 1.51m tonnes in the first seven months of 2026. Revenue grew 11.3% to US$8.04bn, while average export price fell 8.1% to US$5,313/tonne. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Global coffee exports edge up 0.3% in June, but annual total falls 0.4%. Shipments reached 11.88m bags for the month, while the 2025/26 marketing year total stood at 106.16m bags, reflecting a slight decline. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Indonesia strengthens Middle East coffee ties with Royal Gayo shipment to Kuwait. The 57.6-tonne export of specialty arabica from Aceh scored 82.75 points. ISC plans to establish a regional stock hub in the Gulf within one to three years. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Fri, 7 Aug – Brazil coffee shipments fall 15.7% in 2025/26, but revenue holds near US$14.6bn. Exports totalled 38.46m bags, down from 45.62m in 2024/25. The average price rose to US$379.1 per bag from US$332.6. Tight global inventories kept prices elevated. (Piracicaba, Brazil)

Research

• Tue, 4 Aug – Costa Rica coffee sector accused of exploiting indigenous migrant workers. A Coffee Watch report finds 70% of coffee workers are migrants, earning US$16- $40 daily for 12-hour days, far below the US$962 monthly living wage. Child labour is common, according to the report, and the Casas de la Alegría childcare programme is underfunded. (San José, Costa Rica)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Sancoffee report says smallholder sourcing needs shared systems, not just higher prices. The co-op’s Impact Report 2025 highlights its Beyond Borders programme, which gives producers access to export infrastructure and technical support, growing from 28 to over 570 farmers. (San José, Costa Rica)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Coffee identified as a major source of polyphenols in breast cancer survivorship study. A prospective study of 95 women over 11.5 years found that higher intake of total polyphenols, phenolic acids, and lignans was linked to lower breast cancer‑specific mortality. Phenolic acids also reduced all‑cause mortality and recurrence risk. (Washington, DC, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon , 3 Aug – Rancilio Specialty RS1 featured at Julius Meinl Barista Cup Grand Finale. The 2026 finale in Vienna showcased the RS1’s advanced profiling and dual‑boiler precision. Baristas also competed using Rancilio’s grinder, the Rocky. (Parabiago, Italy)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Jordan Saglio is the 2026 Panamanian Brewers Cup Champion. Saglio won the national title using coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda. He will represent Panama at the 2027 World Brewers Cup in October, to be held in Bogotá, Colombia. (Panama City, Panama)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2026 runs 21 & 22 August. The West Coast B2B trade show features over 80 hours of education, more than 50 free seminars, and dedicated zones including Roasting Hub, Cupping Corner, Latte Art Venue, and Tech Lab. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Mon, 3 Aug – Hungarian AeroPress Championship 2026 set for 26 September in Budaörs. The winner will represent Hungary at the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico. Organised by Röast Coffee, the event brings together the local specialty coffee community. Registration details will be announced soon. (Budapest, Hungary)

• Tue, 4 Aug – Level Up returns to Minneapolis for a weekend of immersive coffee training. The Raise The Bar event runs 18‑20 September, featuring instructors including La Marzocco’s Estelle Bright, US Latte Art Champion Marquis Monzon, and USBC finalist Seidy Selivanow. Tickets start at US$600, with scholarships available. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

• Tue, 4 Aug – World Coffee Innovation Summit 2026 returns to London on 21 & 22 October. The QEII Centre event gathers leaders from coffee and cocoa to address resilience, investment, and supply security. Speakers include the World Bank, FAO, ECOM, Louis Dreyfus, Ferrero, and Google. (London, UK)

• Tue, 4 Aug – SIAL Guangzhou 2026 to take place from 3 to 5 September. The event spans 60,000 sq m and expects over 1,500 exhibitors and 65,000 professionals. It features 14 themed zones, including the SIAL CUP barista competition. (Guangzhou, China)

• Wed, 5 Aug – Africa Cocoa and Coffee Conference 2026 to take place in Lagos on 7 & 8 October. Organised by COCEFAAA with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and CRIN, the event at NECA House brings together farmers, roasters, exporters, and policymakers across the value chain. It also features the launch of the Nigeria Coffee Revival Initiative. (Lagos, Nigeria)

• Wed, 5 Aug – ASEAN SHOP Expo 2026 takes place 10‑12 September. The newly launched event combines VEND ASEAN and FNB ASEAN, expecting over 30,000 visitors and 350 exhibitors. It will include coffee brands, vending machines, payment solutions, and the ASEAN Retail Leaders Summit. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Thu, 6 Aug – The Barista League North America 2026 set for 3 September in Atlanta. Six teams compete before five judges on Concept, Service, and Product. The venue features guest roasters, equipment demos, and coffee tastings. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 6 Aug – Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026 returns to Turin with a dedicated coffee sector. The 16th edition runs 24-27 September, and it’s the first since founder Carlo Petrini’s death. It features over 1,500 producers from 120 countries and focuses on biodiversity. Spaces for wine, cider, coffee, and cocoa are included in the programme. (Turin, Italy)

• Fri, 7 Aug – First WCC Judge Skills Program in the US takes place 14‑17 August in North Carolina. Led by Roukiat Delrue and Sebastian De Rodt, with support from Scott Conary, the training covers judging, scoring, and competition rules for all WCC disciplines. (Carrboro, North Carolina, US)

• Fri, 7 Aug – Grounds for Health to celebrate three decades of impact on 17 September 2026. The non-profit, which funds cervical cancer screenings in coffee-producing countries, will host the event at The Crown Royal Coffee. (Oakland, California, US)

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

• Fri, 24 Jul – UK café owners frustrated by exclusion from 20% business rates cut. The £100m package, set for April 2027, supports pubs and live music venues but not cafés. Owners say it creates an unfair advantage and undermines community hubs, with one noting customers may now choose cheaper pub hot drinks. (London, UK)

• Mon, 27 Jul – Gong cha accelerates US expansion with direct franchising and new store deals. The bubble tea chain acquired 170 stores from a master franchisee earlier this year. It now operates over 240 locations across 23 states and aims to surpass 500 in the Americas by 2028. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Wed, 29 Jul – Luckin Coffee partners with Duolingo for limited-time drinks in NYC. The collaboration includes two signature beverages, co-branded packaging, and collectable merchandise. Luckin’s Head of Marketing says the tie-up resonates with Gen Z. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 30 Jul – Cooxupé harvest maintains good performance, accelerating over the past two weeks. The cooperative’s areas are at different stages: the Cerrado and Mogiana regions are more advanced; the Sul de Minas region is showing a faster pace than in the 2025/26 season. (São Paulo, Brazil)

Photo credits: Producer & Roaster Forum, Global Coffee Awards, World Coffee Innovation Summit

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