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Espresso Information Recap, 14 Mar: Studies of inexperienced espresso theft within the US rise as costs keep excessive, Dune Espresso Roasters’ Kay Cheon is the 2025 US Barista Champion & different tales


Each Friday, Good Every day Grind rounds up the highest espresso business information from the week. 

Editor’s notice

Inexperienced espresso thefts at origin are an unlucky actuality, particularly in distinguished producing nations like Brazil and Vietnam, however a uncommon incidence in majority-consuming markets. Because the C worth hovers round US $4/lb close to file ranges, nevertheless, studies of organised gangs stealing truckloads of inexperienced espresso within the US are rising.

A freight dealer not too long ago instructed Reuters that dozens of thefts had been reported during the last 12 months. Gangs posing as transportation firms are allegedly vying for small contracts from importers by providing higher costs or instant availability for cargo pick-up.

The studies state that these gangs then promote stolen espresso to smaller roasters, a lot of that are grappling with tight margins and strained money circulate. The issue has develop into so notable that it was addressed on the current Nationwide Espresso Affiliation conference, which passed off in Houston, Texas, from 6 to eight March.

Whereas espresso costs stay close to historic highs, studies of those alleged crimes might effectively enhance, together with in majority-consuming markets exterior of the US, leading to unprecedented challenges for roasters and merchants who’re already below immense monetary stress.

With US President Trump’s commerce tariffs steadily coming into impact, together with on main producing nations like Mexico, the issue might solely worsen. Trump’s choices to impose taxes on imported items have gotten more and more erratic and unpredictable. Because the president’s stance on deporting undocumented migrants stays agency, he might select to focus on Latin American-producing nations with punitive tariffs extra harshly, as seen with Colombia in late January 2025.

A competitor at the 2025 African Barista Championship.A competitor at the 2025 African Barista Championship.

High tales of the week

  • Tue, 11 Mar – Brazil’s per capita espresso consumption declines amid excessive costs. Consumption ranges fell 2.22% final yr regardless of a 1% rise in whole demand, pushed by inhabitants progress. Brazilians consumed a mean of 5.01kg of roast & floor espresso from Nov 2023 to Oct 2024, down from 5.12kg, with excessive costs posing additional dangers to consumption. (São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Fri, 14 Mar – Breville to host Melbourne Espresso Pageant at MICE2025. The brand new occasion function will supply espresso fanatics and professionals alternatives to attach with and study from business specialists by way of the Beanz Stage Masterclasses. Breville, together with Lelit and Barazta, may even host demos at their respective cubicles, the place attendees may have the prospect to win prizes. The Melbourne Espresso Pageant, going down from 20 to 22 March, may even embody every day Latte Artwork Smackdowns. (Melbourne, Australia)

Trade information

  • Mon, 10 Mar – Juan Valdez indicators three way partnership to speed up progress in Spain. The partnership with Grupo Trinity will make investments €40 million to open 140 new shops by 2032, together with each company-operated and franchised retailers, and develop packaging distribution to Horeca companies, constructing on Juan Valdez’s present presence in Madrid. (Bogotá, Colombia)
  • Wed, 12 Mar – Yum China appoints new normal supervisor for Lavazza three way partnership. Yum China named Maggie Chen the director normal of its Lavazza three way partnership, changing Adrian Ding. Lavazza goals to develop in China however has opened solely 112 shops since 2020, removed from its 1,000-store objective. The partnership will now goal 1,000 retailers by 2028 whereas boosting retail and wholesale gross sales. (Shanghai, China)
  • Thu, 13 Mar – North American espresso business faces uncertainty amid commerce battle. Roasters, merchants, and occasional retailers are assessing the impression of President Trump’s escalating commerce battle on their operations, with tariffs on Mexico and probably different producing nations inflicting essentially the most concern. (New York Metropolis, New York, US)
A roaster empties roasted coffee beans into a cooling tray.A roaster empties roasted coffee beans into a cooling tray.
  • Fri, 14 Mar – CEE appoints Jeff Juneau as managing director of Americas. Juneau, former Starbucks VP, will lead CEE enlargement within the Americas. With 25 years in meals and beverage provide chains, Juneau will drive strategic progress and speed up fossil-free industrial options, supporting CEE’s objective of net-zero espresso manufacturing. (Hamme, Belgium)

New launch

  • Mon, 10 Mar – Grind will open its first retailer exterior London in Manchester. Grind, established in 2011 with 11 London retailers, is ready to affix a £400 million redevelopment led by Gary Neville in Manchester metropolis centre. The brand new venue will enhance enlargement and strengthen the model’s presence within the broader UK market. (London, UK)
  • Wed, 12 Mar – Nespresso opens first boutique in India and plans B2B enlargement. The primary retailer at Citywalk Mall in New Delhi is a part of the corporate’s plans to develop its presence throughout the nation, partnering with Thakral Improvements for B2B gross sales. Nespresso may even enhance its volumes of espresso sourced from India, with one in 5 pods already containing Indian espresso. (New Delhi, India)

Milestone

  • Thu, 13 Mar – Man Met Bril Koffie opens the world’s first espresso resort in Rotterdam. Positioned at Linker Rottekade 12B, the venue incorporates a Kees van der Westen Frank espresso machine, a roastery, coaching and occasion areas, a podcast studio, and 15 visitor rooms with espresso service, serving as hub for espresso trade and neighborhood. (Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
  • Fri, 14 Mar – ROR Espresso Options secures US $8.2 million for enlargement. The Dubai firm raised funds to develop within the Center East and Europe, beginning with Saudi Arabia, with new operational hubs, barista coaching, and infrastructure upgrades whereas introducing company espresso options and event-based experiences to strengthen its market presence. (Dubai, UAE)

Commerce & manufacturing

  • Mon, 10 Mar – World espresso commerce slows amid excessive worth pressures. On the NCA Conference, merchants mentioned how the 70% surge in arabica futures is leading to cautious shopping for practices. Low rainfall has left shares close to file lows whereas retailers resist worth hikes, fueling considerations of business consolidation. (Houston, Texas, US)
  • Tue, 11 Mar – Amazonian smallholders enhance robusta yields with new varieties. Adoption of Embrapa-recommended applied sciences and clonal robusta varieties has elevated productiveness in Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, and Roraima, with yields rising from 20-30 to 120 baggage per hectare. These high-yield, early-maturing vegetation enhance harvesting effectivity and rural incomes. (Porto Velho, Brazil)
  • Thu, 13 Mar – Espresso futures decline as provide outlook improves. Espresso futures fell as Marex projected a 1.2 million 60kg bag surplus in 2025/26, with international manufacturing rising to 172 million baggage, pushed by Vietnam’s restoration. Brazilian output is anticipated to drop by 1.5 million baggage. (New York Metropolis, New York, US)

Analysis

A close-up photo of espresso being extracted.A close-up photo of espresso being extracted.

Occasions & competitions

  • Wed, 12 Mar – IEG proclaims new dates for SIGEP World 2026. The occasion will happen at Rimini Expo Centre, Italy, from 16 to twenty January 2026, rescheduled to keep away from clashes with different worldwide reveals and maximise alternatives for exhibitors throughout gelato, pastry, bakery, espresso and pizza sectors. (Rimini, Italy)
  • Fri, 14 Mar – The Barista League to host first occasion of 2025 season in Prague on 29 March. The competitors will probably be held on the historic Gabriel Loci venue. The all-new 2025 competitors format will carry collectively high baristas, main firms, famend roasters, and particular company from throughout six continents. Visitor judges embody Sonja Björk Grant, Vladyslav Demonenko, Daniele Ricci, and Daniel Gerlach. (Prague, Czech Republic)

Listed below are just a few espresso information tales from earlier weeks that you just may discover attention-grabbing. Have a look:

  • Sat, 8 Mar – Sri Lanka shifts in direction of espresso because the tea business struggles. Going through declining tea yields, labour shortages, and falling costs, Sri Lankan plantations are increasing into espresso cultivation, which requires fewer employees and gives new market alternatives. Corporations like Hayleys Plantations plan to transform 1,000 hectares by 2027, balancing custom with financial shifts. (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Photograph credit: African Effective Coffees Affiliation

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Need to sustain with present affairs within the espresso business? Try final week’s espresso information tales and ensure to learn the most recent Espresso Intelligence Information & Opinion piece about whether or not JDE Peet’s €250 million share buyback programme is an indication of power or warning.

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