Coffee News Recap, 15 May: US retail coffee prices reach all-time high, Brazilian exports rise, but revenue falls by over 17% & other stories

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

Editor’s note

The average retail price of ground coffee in the US reached US$9.72/lb in April, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a 28.91% increase from April 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive all-time high for the indicator, which has been setting nominal records continuously since May 2024.

Multiple factors have driven the surge. Historically low harvests in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s two largest coffee producers, triggered panic buying as roasters rushed to cover their positions. Tariffs then compounded the pressure, forcing roasters to quickly raise prices to absorb steep import levies.

The effect on consumers in one of the world’s most important coffee-consuming markets is significant. Packaged whole bean and ground coffee cost nearly 21% more in August 2025 than a year earlier, the fastest monthly increase in nearly three decades. Café prices are climbing too, though operators are treading carefully, as at-home coffee consumption continues to increase.

There could be some relief before the year is out. Brazil is expecting a record harvest in 2026/27, and Colombia recently recorded its most productive coffee cycle in over three decades. Both factors could put downward pressure on the C price. That said, lower costs for roasters and importers will take time to reach supermarket shelves.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 11 May – Applications for Sensory Judges and Competition Baristas open for the Global Coffee Awards Asia, MENA, and Africa. Taking place at Balzac Brothers in Charleston, US, the calibration day will be held on 14 June, and the evaluation days will run from 15-17 June. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview process. Sensory Judges can apply here, and Competition Baristas can apply here. (Charleston, South Carolina, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Dunkin’ signs master franchising deal with Foodtastic to return to Canada. The Inspire Brands-owned chain exited the market in 2018 after legal disputes and will now open hundreds of locations, with the first expected in late 2026 or early 2027. (Toronto, Canada)

• Tue, 12 May – US retail coffee prices hit another all-time high in April, rising 18.5% year-over-year. The average price reached US$9.72/lb, up 2% from March, driven by supply shortages from Brazil and Vietnam, tariffs, and growing domestic demand. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Dutch Bros acquires second drive-thru chain in four months. Dutch Bros, valued at US$9.6bn, expects to complete the deal in Q3 2026, expanding its company‑operated footprint. The chain aims for 2,029 shops by 2029 and over 7,000 long‑term. (Tempe, Arizona, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Indian coffee exports surge 27%. Exports totalled 174,000 tonnes during the first four months of 2026, driven primarily by higher shipments of robusta and instant coffee. India’s 2025/26 coffee production is also expected to reach 6.72 million bags. (Bengaluru, India)

• Thu, 14 May – Brazil’s April exports rose to 3.12 million bags, but revenue fell by over 17%. Robusta and conilon exports surged 374.1% with the new harvest, while arabica shipments declined 15.9%. Total revenue reached US$1.109bn as coffee prices dipped. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 15 May – London Coffee Festival takes place at Truman Brewery, hosting the 2026 Coffee Masters. The event, running until 17 May, will also feature the Roasters Village, Latte Art Live, Toddy Cold Brew Competition, The Lab, and Brew School. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 11 May – Westrock Coffee posts strong Q1 results. The company swung to an operating profit of US$3.2m from a US$13.1m loss, with the fully operational Conway facility driving growth. Net sales rose 44% to US$308.8m as adjusted EBITDA more than tripled to US$26m. (Conway, Arkansas, US)

• Mon, 11 May – Pret A Manger creates chief supply officer role to drive global growth. Stefan Porter joins from Azzurri Group, tasked with supply chain, logistics, buying, technical, and sustainability to expand the brand. (London, UK)

• Mon, 11 May – Maman secures growth fund in landmark restaurant PE deal. TriSpan led a continuation vehicle for the specialty café-bakery brand with Kline Hill, Norwest, and an Ivy League endowment. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Dalla Corte North America appoints Alex Jeans as sales engineer. Jeans brings 12 years of experience from Westrock and Kerry, managing a US$25m book of business. He will support equipment solutions across the region. (Smyrna, Tennessee, US)

• Tue, 12 May – OvalCoffee Roasters announces distribution partnership with Whisha Specialty Coffee Distributors. The New York roaster expands its West Coast retail presence through a DSD partner that serves major grocery accounts, including Whole Foods and Sprouts. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA appoints Adam Reizer as chief financial officer. Reizer brings extensive consumer goods finance experience to strengthen the company’s executive leadership bench. (Suffolk, Virginia, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Yum China announces US$512m share repurchase agreements for H2 2026. The buyback is part of a US$1.5bn full-year capital return plan to reward shareholders. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 13 May – Starbucks cuts 61 tech jobs at Seattle headquarters in WARN filing. The layoffs begin in June, part of CEO Brian Niccol’s turnaround strategy, and are not linked to a planned Nashville office, according to Starbucks. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Greggs to launch first international outlet in Tenerife South Airport. Opening later this May in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, the menu will offer local food and beverage options alongside its sandwiches and pasties. (Tenerife, Spain)

• Wed, 13 May – Caribou Coffee expands executive team with four new leaders. Kristen Goldberg, Kyley Yanker, Soumil Deshmukh, and Mike Iannuzzelli join as VPs of brand marketing, real estate development, technology, and supply chain, respectively. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

• Wed, 13 May – AI agent ‘Mona’ manages coffee shop operations in Stockholm experimental trial. San Francisco startup Andon Labs is testing Google Gemini‑powered AI as middle management, handling hiring, inventory, and permits, but Mona has ordered excessive stock and has been messaging staff outside of hours. (Stockholm, Sweden)

• Thu, 14 May – For Five Coffee Roasters secures strategic growth investment to fuel expansion. The vertically integrated roaster will use the capital to boost production, open new retail cafés in metropolitan markets, and scale its wholesale division. The company operates 40 locations across the US with 12 more in development. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 14 May – Food Empire Q1 revenue jumps 16.9% to US$159.7m on strong Russian ruble and growth in Central Asia. The instant coffee specialist approved a one-for-five bonus share issue and expects a new plant in Kazakhstan to contribute to growth this year. (Singapore)

• Thu, 14 May – Costa Coffee to take over 26 former Starbucks stores inside Cineworld cinemas across the UK. The first outlets will open this summer, most by late 2026. Existing staff will be integrated. (London, UK)

• Thu, 14 May – Black Rock Coffee Bar Q1 revenue up 24% to US$55.5m, net income soars 303% to US$1.8m. The chain opened nine stores, with same-store sales up 5.2%. Jon Vingo was appointed chief development officer to drive the 1,000-store target by 2035. (Scottsdale, Arizona, US)

• Thu, 14 May – Everyday Dose evolves from a coffee brand into a wider functional platform. The Austin-based company is expanding from e-commerce to physical retail. Growth marketing manager Jordan Leberman discussed shifting brand identity, community building, and product range with BevNET. (Austin, Texas, US)

• Fri, 15 May – Pickup Coffee aims to become the Philippines’ largest chain by the end of 2026. The Makati-based operator, which reached 500 outlets in Q1, now targets 800 stores in total. Franchising has launched with an investment range of US$27,600 to US$65,000. (Makati, Philippines)

• Fri, 15 May – Keurig partners with Ordergroove to replace homegrown subscription system. The Fortune 500 CPG brand will migrate to Ordergroove’s enterprise infrastructure as it modernises its commerce stack on Shopify, aiming to move faster and deliver more customer value. (New York City, New York, US)

Businesses for sale

• Tue, 12 May – Roark Capital on course to create QSR giant with Inspire Brands IPO. The parent company of Dunkin’ and Arby’s confidentially filed for a US listing, seeking a valuation of US$20bn, with the offering set to raise roughly US$2bn. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

New launch

• Mon, 11 May – Starbucks Mexico opens first women-empowering flagship coffeehouse in Guadalajara. The venue focuses on female leadership, offering training and employment opportunities for women in the region. (Guadalajara, Mexico)

• Mon, 11 May – Melitta launches CT8plus. The new fully automatic machine handles up to four coffee and milk options, featuring two milk systems and an optional low-pressure brew for filter-style coffee. (Minden, Germany)

• Mon, 11 May – BrightMornBrews launches fresh‑roasted coffee delivery service. The direct-to-consumer subscription platform offers single origins and blends, with roast-to-order shipping guaranteed within 48 hours. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Unpacking Coffee launches as a free tasting platform. The web-based logger lets users record roaster, origin, brew method, cup score, and tasting notes in under one minute, with private or shared database options. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Sanremo launches D8 One espresso machine with grinder link. The single-group machine features a wired connectivity system that automates grind adjustments with compatible grinders. (San Diego, California, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Farmer Brothers launches new Artisan Collection across the US. The line features small-batch roasted single origin and blended coffees for food service and office clients across the US. (Northlake, Texas, US)

• Tue, 12 May – Bluewater launches Coffee Rock mineral formula for espresso. The additive adjusts water chemistry to highlight coffee flavours while preventing limescale buildup inside commercial and home machines. (Stockholm, Sweden)

• Wed, 13 May – Pop & Bottle enters functional hydration with matcha coconut water line. The organic RTD brand launched three flavours with 25mg caffeine and 600-640mg electrolytes each, available at Sprouts nationwide. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Ikawa launches lower-cost Go sample roaster to reach more farmers. The 50-gram-capacity fluid-bed machine offers the same core roasting system and app-based profiling as its premium Pro series. (London, UK)

• Thu, 14 May – Pulled launches consumer rewards platform that pays cash for coffee shop check-ins. The model weights independent specialty shops higher than chains. First visit pays US$5 and referrals pay US$10, offering a third-party loyalty alternative without shop funding. (London, UK)

• Thu, 14 May – Weber Workshops opens European HQ and distribution centre in Hamburg. Led by Christian Klatt, the hub began operations on 28 April, enabling faster EU fulfilment and service. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Thu, 14 May – illycaffè debuts ‘In Minor Keys’ art collection at Frieze New York. The US premiere features works by four global artists and is inspired by the 2026 Venice Biennale, where illycaffè serves as the main sponsor. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 14 May – New book explores women driving change across Kenya’s coffee supply chain. Co-written by Katarina Polojaz and Vittoria Moretti, the book follows Annet, Iddha Rose, and Susan, highlighting the Italian-backed projects ARABIKA and Caffè Corretto that boost cooperative management, quality, and market access. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Thu, 14 May – Cimbali Group debuts LaCimbali Supera automatic machine and Mazzer x Slayer grinder at London Coffee Festival 2026. The Supera targets high‑volume automated service, while the Mazzer x Slayer grinder combines Cimbali Group’s expertise in espresso machines with Mazzer’s specialisation in grinding. (London, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – Dalla Corte opens first global flagship showroom in London with Kavi Coffee and Dhan Tamang. Opened on 8 May 2026, the space blends Italian engineering with local expertise to serve as an open platform for community learning and dialogue. (London, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – Seattle’s Best Coffee opens at the University of Birmingham to meet campus coffee demand. The fully branded café serves 40,000 students and 10,000 staff, offering hot and iced coffee. The blend is 100% Fairtrade arabica. (Birmingham, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – Lincoln & York launches new RTD and concentrate products. The private label roaster’s new line includes RTD cans with customisable flavours, milks, and matcha, 3l coffee concentrate, and 500ml bottled coffee concentrate. Lincoln & York’s research shows that a staggering 93% of 25 to 34-year-old coffee drinkers now drink cold coffee, with 72% of this age bracket drinking it at least weekly. (Brigg, UK)

Milestone

• Mon, 11 May – Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee named Rural Business of the Year. The SBA recognised the employee-owned roaster for ethical sourcing, worker ownership, and sustained rural economic development in western Massachusetts. (Orange, Massachusetts, US)

• Fri, 15 May – Lofty Coffee Co. celebrates 15 years with free house coffee. The campaign is valid for all cafés except San Diego Airport. Customers can also enter an Instagram giveaway until 31 May for a chance to win a US$100 gift card. (Encinitas, California, US)

Trade & production

• Mon, 11 May – China’s zero-tariff deal unlocks potential for Kenyan coffee farmers. Prior to the implementation of the “Early Harvest Agreement,” Kenyan coffee exporters faced import duties of 10 to 25%. The bilateral agreement grants unprecedented duty-free access to 98.2% of all Kenyan exports. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Tue, 12 May – Uganda deepens coffee trade push with new export deal targeting Turkey. The strategic partnership with Kafe Kavil aims to boost exports, which grew from 2,304 bags in 2024 to 15,037 bags in 2025. (Ankara, Turkey)

• Wed, 13 May – Farmer Field Schools help Guatemala coffee farmers cut fertiliser costs amid price surge. World Neighbours trains growers in simple innovations, including biodigesters, fish farming, and high-margin crops such as oyster mushrooms, to boost income and reduce reliance on costly inputs. (Guatemala City, Guatemala)

• Wed, 13 May – Brazil green coffee exports hit 925,330 bags in early May, Secex reports. The daily average shipped through 8 May reached 116,700 bags, up 16.9% from April, while revenue reached US$327.97m, and average price fell 17.12% year-on-year to US$354.44/bag. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 14 May – Brazil’s Cooabriel expects a smaller but higher-quality robusta crop in Espirito Santo. Rising input costs and falling coffee prices, now at 880 reais (US$179) per bag, raise concerns for future harvests. (Vitória, Brazil)

• Fri, 15 May – Record Brazil coffee harvest contrasts with export uncertainties in 2026. Datagro forecasts a 73 million-bag crop, up 18.6% year-on-year, with 48 million bags of arabica and 25 million of canephora. However, export revenues have fallen amid price volatility, port inefficiencies, and producer withholding. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 15 May – World Coffee Research publishes 2025 annual review highlighting climate-resilient progress. Over 200 member companies in 30 countries backed partnerships to accelerate the delivery of climate-resilient varieties. The Innovea breeding network earned TIME’s Best Invention award, while a robusta programme was launched in Vietnam and Ghana. (Portland, Oregon, US)

Research

• Tue, 12 May – UNC scientists solve the structure of coffee’s bitter taste receptor. The team used cryo-EM to reveal how TAS2R43 binds bitter compounds, a discovery that could guide the development of new therapies for airway and gut diseases. (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Drip irrigation cuts coffee’s environmental impact significantly, study shows. The three-year Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Netafim in Vietnam’s Dak Lak province found the method reduced water use by 56%, chemical use by 46%, and carbon footprint by 60%. (Tel Aviv, Israel)

• Wed, 13 May – Study finds caffeine alters how the brain processes touch, making fingertips more sensitive. Researchers suggest that daily coffee intake may subtly change somatosensory processing without the drinker noticing. (London, UK)

• Thu, 14 May – Mandaguari bee increases arabica production by up to 67% in Brazil, study shows. Research by Embrapa and partners, published in Frontiers in Bee Science, found that the native stingless bee, Scaptotrigona depilis, boosts yields even in self‑pollinating cultivars. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Fri, 15 May – Texas A&M study finds coffee compounds may activate ageing-protective gene. Polyphenols and caffeic acid affect the receptor associated with reducing cellular damage and lowering the risks of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, regardless of caffeine levels. (College Station, Texas, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 11 May – Antipodean-focused coffee and hospitality summit “Abode” launches in London. The event brings together professionals from Australia and New Zealand to discuss industry trends and collaboration. (London, UK)

• Mon, 11 May – ASEAN International Coffee Summit 2026 launches in Singapore. The event brings together regional producers, roasters, and policymakers to address sustainability and trade collaboration. (Singapore)

• Mon, 11 May – Le Quang Cuong (Nicky) of Vietnam is the 2026 World Cup Tasters Champion. He scored 7 out of 8 cups in 3 mins 35 secs during the final round, held from 7 to 9 May in Bangkok. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Tue, 12 May – From Forest to Cup: Transforming Coffee Landscapes through Regenerative Agroforestry webinar explores regenerative coffee farming in Brazil. Hosted by Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, the online event on 27 May will cover climate resilience, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods in the Atlantic Forest. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Wed, 13 May – Franke Coffee Systems unveils New A Line at UNITI Expo 2026. Designed for forecourt retail, the fully automatic machine offers self-service functions, helping operators boost conversion and loyalty. (Stuttgart, Germany)

• Wed, 13 May – SIGEP Meets the World officially launches in Chicago on 18 May. The networking event, created by Italian Exhibition Group, will promote SIGEP World, the international trade show dedicated to gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee, chocolate and pizza held every January in Rimini, as well as the US and Asia editions. The upcoming tour introduces an enhanced format designed for buyers, distributors, wholesalers, and more, and will include stops in eight cities across four continents. (Rimini, Italy)

• Thu, 14 May – SIAL Shanghai 2026 coffee events programme unveiled. The trade fair, running 18-20 May, will host the SIAL CUP Barista Challenge and a dedicated coffee and tea market zone. (Shanghai, China)

• Thu, 14 May – EPAMIG roaster Fábio Milan Pereira wins Brazilian Roasting Championship 2026. The competition was held 6 to 8 May in Varginha, with Tiago de Mello as runner-up. Pereira will represent Brazil at the World Coffee Roasting Championship in Brussels, Belgium, in June. (Varginha, Brazil)

• Thu, 14 May – Ka’u Coffee Festival returns 14 to 20 June with tastings, hikes, and ho‘olaule‘a. The 17th annual Hawai‘i Island event features a free pa‘ina and recipe contest on 14 June, a mountain hike on 18 June, Coffee & Cattle Day on 19 June, and a free grand finale on 20 June. (Ka‘u, Hawaii, US)

• Thu, 14 May – Nuova Simonelli to host three new Technicians Competitions in the coming weeks. The competition, which is designed to highlight the skills and expertise of coffee technicians, will take place in Paris, London, and Dubai, with dates to be announced soon. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Thu, 14 May – Dualit showcases award-winning coffee machines at London Coffee Festival. Products on display at stand G11 include Dualit’s Pod Machine and coffee capsules, the Espressivo Pro Coffee Machine, Milk Frother Max, Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker and Hot Chocolate Sachets, Burr Coffee Grinder, EcoPress®, and Pour Over Kettle. Dualit is also hosting live demonstrations of the Pod Machine, Milk Frother Max, and Cino™ Milk Steamer. (London, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – Third Liverpool Coffee Festival set for 6 & 7 June at Black Lodge Brewery. The event features talks, tastings, a dedicated Tasting Lab, a Roasters’ Village and a craft market, celebrating the city’s fast-growing specialty coffee scene. (Liverpool, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – São Paulo Coffee Festival introduces O Laboratório for expert talks on café management and trends. Specialists will discuss daily operations, market opportunities and consumption shifts. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 15 May – Cropster launches free Beyond the Roast webinar series for roastery productivity. Three sessions from 21 May to 10 June cover demand-led production, inventory management, and moving from gut feeling to business infrastructure. (Innsbruck, Austria)

• Fri, 15 May – Gems of Araku 2026 auction achieves top price of US$22.75/lb with 130 bids. Total turnover reached US$76,904.38, with an average price of US$9.83. Winners include Hopping Turtle Coffee, Taith Coffee, SAVAYA COFFEE LLC, Luce Avenue Coffee Roasters, Linea Coffee, Coffee Bean Supplies, and Araku Coffee. (Araku Valley, India)

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

• Mon, 4 May – Expocacer launches pioneering specialty coffee export to Japan. The cooperative shipped 8.4 tonnes of naturally decaffeinated Yellow Bourbon coffee, scoring 84 points, marking Brazil’s first export of its kind. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Tue, 5 May – Lavazza partners with Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2026 as official coffee supplier. The brand will serve its blends to players and spectators throughout the Rome tennis tournament. (Rome, Italy)

• Fri, 8 May – John Lewis to open five new cafés and restaurants to boost footfall and enhance in-store experience. Hospitality sales grew 6%, with one in five transactions now occurring in dining spaces, as Ori Caffè expanded to Liverpool and Solihull. (London, UK)

Photo credits: Producer & Roaster Forum

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