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HomeCoffeeEspresso Information Recap, 17 Oct: Cropster acquires Korean roasting platform Firescope, HostMilano...

Espresso Information Recap, 17 Oct: Cropster acquires Korean roasting platform Firescope, HostMilano takes place in Italy & different tales


Each Friday, Excellent Each day Grind rounds up the highest espresso trade information from the week. 

Editor’s observe

HostMilano – one of many HoReCa trade’s most necessary international occasions – begins immediately, internet hosting the twenty fifth World Barista Championship. All eyes will probably be on Milan to see who’s topped the winner on the milestone version of the competitors.

Trying extra broadly, mergers and acquisitions have been reshaping the espresso trade over the past decade, and the development continues. As a part of an ongoing M&A technique, Austria’s Cropster has acquired South Korea’s Firescope because it seeks higher entry to the East Asian espresso market.

Firescope, which serves greater than 3,000 roasters throughout South Korea, Japan and different Asian international locations, will turn into Cropster’s new regional gross sales and assist hub. The corporate’s self-service roasting platform will probably be built-in into Cropster’s software program suite over the following 12 months and made accessible to clients globally.

This transfer comes a 12 months after funding agency Verdane acquired a majority stake in Cropster to speed up its progress and product growth.

From roasters to merchants to software program builders, the development of acquisitions is accelerating within the espresso trade and exhibits no indicators of slowing down.

A judge assesses a competitor at the World Barista Championship.A judge assesses a competitor at the World Barista Championship.

Prime tales of the week

  • Mon, 13 Oct – Demise Want Espresso sues Liquid Demise over deliberate espresso logos. Demise Want claims that Liquid Demise’s US trademark purposes for espresso merchandise infringe on its “Demise” logos and threat client confusion. It seeks injunctions to dam registrations, whereas Liquid Demise says it has no plans to launch espresso merchandise. (Los Angeles, California, US)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – Cropster acquires Korean roasting platform Firescope. Firescope will stay unbiased throughout a 12-month integration into Cropster’s product suite, marking a step in Cropster’s intent to steer the worldwide espresso software program sector. (Innsbruck, Austria)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – WatchHouse indicators franchise deal to launch in Dubai. The franchise settlement with Huge Stomach Hospitality will open a six-month espresso-focused residency at Marsa Boulevard this month, adopted by 4 extra UAE websites in 2026, because the UK specialty chain pursues regional franchising. (Dubai, UAE)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – HostMilano hosts the twenty fifth World Barista Championship. The competitors runs from 17 to 21 October at HostMilano and brings greater than 50 nationwide champions to compete for the title of world’s finest barista. WBC Barista Base Camp may even return, that includes coach-led trainings, tasting labs, and public interplay zones constructed to duplicate the competitors area. (Milan, Italy)

Trade information

  • Mon, 13 Oct – Brazil dealer Timbro enters the espresso export market. The exporter plans an preliminary cargo of about 80,000 60kg luggage and can begin full bodily operations for the 2025 crop 12 months. It intends to make use of Dubai and US places of work to focus on Asian and Center Jap patrons amid market volatility. (São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Mon, 13 Oct – Good Earth targets vacant Canadian Starbucks websites for growth. The chain plans to accumulate just lately closed Starbucks shops nationwide, reviving a 2021 method to transform vacated places into Good Earth cafés and seize displaced footfall as Starbucks trims its Canada property to hurry outlet progress. (Calgary, Canada)
  • Tue, 14 Oct – Espresso boosts footfall at UK bakeries and sandwich outlets. Lincoln & York’s newest report exhibits that 81% of shoppers really feel espresso high quality impacts their bakery selection, and 68% advocate a bakery or sandwich store primarily based on the standard of the espresso alone. This progress is pushed by youthful clients, particularly these aged 18 to 24, who sometimes spend £5 to £7 per go to. (London, UK)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – Café Amazon refocuses growth into key markets. The Thai chain has grown to greater than 5,000 retailers, offered 107 million cups in Q2 2025, and is scaling an Ayutthaya hub for roasting, bakery, and coaching. Additionally it is increasing a social employment programme to 430 retailers and shifting on after a probable exit from Vietnam. (Bangkok, Thailand)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Peet’s Espresso joins Woolrich x Goal limited-time assortment. The partnership introduces two unique espresso choices: the Buffalo Test Mix, a medium roast with notes of chocolate-covered toffee and maple syrup, and Chilly Brew Singles, a medium roast with notes of candy blackberry and cocoa. (Berkeley, California, US)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Espresso Enterprises launches CVA testing packages. The unbiased lab provides an SCA-aligned Espresso Worth Evaluation led by developed Q graders, which mixes bodily, descriptive, and affective analyses with client-provided extrinsic knowledge to confirm high quality, contract adherence, and consistency for patrons. (Hinesburg, Vermont, US)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Chobani raises US$640mn in newest funding spherical. Earlier this 12 months, the corporate (now valued at US$20bn) mentioned it will make investments US$1.2 billion in constructing its third US dairy processing plant in New York and a US$500 million growth plan in Idaho. (New York Metropolis, New York, US)

Companies on the market

  • Tue, 14 Oct – FreshBrew acquires White Espresso’s licensed branded espresso portfolio. Houston-based FreshBrew acquired White Espresso’s branded-licensed division, securing a number of licences and in-house roasting, grinding and distribution. Output capability will increase to about 150,000 lbs per day, and White Espresso executives are becoming a member of FreshBrew to develop its retail division. (Houston, Texas, US)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Carlyle and Boyu lead bids for Starbucks China. Sources report that the sale course of has superior to most well-liked bidders for a majority stake, with your entire China enterprise valued at practically US$4bn. Starbucks is prone to retain a minority stake whereas royalty preparations stay below negotiation. (Shanghai, China)
La Marzocco Victorinox espresso machine and barista tool.La Marzocco Victorinox espresso machine and barista tool.

New launch

  • Tue, 14 Oct – La Marzocco and Victorinox accomplice to launch Barista Instrument. The all-steel, multi-function barista device pairs Victorinox blade high quality with La Marzocco branding, that includes two blades, a corkscrew, a number of screwdrivers, a espresso spatula, a steam wand nozzle remover, and extra. The collaboration additionally contains 4 unique La Marzocco Victorinox co-branded espresso machines. (Florence, Italy)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – OutIn and Kruve launch barista present set giveaway. The collaboration between moveable espresso maker model OutIn and sensory glassware specialist Kruve provides followers an opportunity to win a premium espresso set designed to raise on-the-go brewing rituals.
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Panera checks new specialty espresso drinks. A 12-week pilot from 15 Oct to six Jan will trial 4 fruit-infused Frescas and caffeinated Power Refreshers throughout 65 bakery-cafés in Baltimore, Nashville, and the Cellular-Pensacola space, at each franchised and company-owned websites. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Schaerer unveils its Finest Foam milk system for Espresso Skye. The improve delivers barista-level milk foam by way of steam heating and a patented mixer, with adjustable milk temperatures and foam textures. Compact Skye fits low-traffic websites as much as 180 cups per day, whereas the Twin Milk permits high-quality plant milk foam. (Zuchwil, Switzerland)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Dalla Corte introduces Zero Plus at HostMilano. The brand new espresso machine options superior temperature management, a five-step Digital Circulation Regulation system, and its Impartial Built-in Multiboiler platform. The DC System automations, like Steam Maestro, OCS, and GCS, serve each skilled baristas and luxurious dwelling customers. (Baranzate, Italy)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – JDE Peet’s unveils revamped innovation lab in Utrecht. The newly upgraded modular facility accelerates growth throughout codecs from single-serve to instantaneous, helps sustainable packaging design and options energy-efficient programs, underpinning a €8mn funding in R&D scale. (Utrecht, Netherlands)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Mazzer unveils new weight-based grinders at HostMilano. The producer will introduce the Kony g, Tremendous Jolly g and Mini g grinders, every with built-in load cells and vibration filtering to make sure correct dosing to counteract counter vibrations. The corporate may even debut the Mazzer Prepared, a 75mm flat burr industrial grinder with double dosing options, and the ZZ burr line. (Venice, Italy)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – La Marzocco launches Modbar Tea and Pour Over at Out of the Field Milan 2025. The Modbar Tea portafilter and firmware will probably be accessible as a bundle for brand new Modbar purchases, or as a retrofit equipment for present installations. That includes the identical add-a-tap design used within the Modbar Espresso AV and Steam programs, the Pour Over system permits cafés so as to add a second Pour Over faucet to double capability. (Florence, Italy)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Nuova Simonelli to unveil Appia Viva at HostMilano. Appia’s new model incorporates a redesigned person interface, enhanced workflow automation, and energy-saving know-how. The machine goals to raise cup high quality and streamline operations for medium-volume venues. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Latte Artwork Manufacturing unit debuts BaristaOne Contact at HostMilano. The brand new super-automatic espresso machine pairs precision engineering with an award-winning milk-foam system to ship constant barista-quality drinks, multi-milk compatibility, cold and warm foam, and modular syrup and powder modules for high-volume cafés, accommodations, and retail. (Milan, Italy)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – LaCimbali to disclose modular super-automatic machine at HostMilano. LaCimbali will showcase an expanded service ecosystem and new service-focused choices, highlighting M40 with ADMS, M200 GT1 Turbosteam Chilly Contact and Profile Contact, IoT connectivity, MUMAC Academy demos, and a MUMAC museum hub at Fieramilano Rho. (Milan, Italy)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – SEB Skilled and WMF to launch new workplace espresso machines at HostMilano. The WMF Perfection Workplace, the WMF Elevation 10, and the WMF Peak 50 are showcased on the firm’s sales space. The manufacturers may even host the Espresso Italiano Champion competitors with La San Marco and IEI, stay barista and latte artwork demonstrations, that includes WMF espresso NEXT Model Ambassador Daniel Gerlach, and signature experiences on the Activation Area, and immersive model zones. (Munich, Germany)

Milestone

  • Wed, 15 Oct – 7 Brew hits 500-stand milestone in eight years. The corporate celebrated with a race-themed marketing campaign at its Toms River opening and launched 9 different stands throughout 9 states the identical day. (Toms River, New Jersey, US)

Commerce & manufacturing

  • Wed, 15 Oct – Rwanda’s ladies espresso farmers harness collective energy. Cooperatives are scaling coaching, higher processing and market entry to obtain increased specialty premiums, diversify patrons and bolster local weather resilience. On the identical time, initiatives concentrate on traceability and feminine management to strengthen origin-to-export hyperlinks. (Kigali, Rwanda)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – Uganda export earnings rise 55% as espresso shipments surge. Export revenues rose sharply within the quarter to June, pushed by elevated espresso shipments and better international costs. As merchants launched shares, this lifted foreign-exchange inflows and annual export totals. (Kampala, Uganda)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Ethiopia’s espresso export revenues surge amid market diversification. First-quarter earnings reached US$762.75mn as July to September shipments totalled 113,542 tonnes (75% of goal). Income rose 47%, exceeding projections by 23%, with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium as the highest patrons, and Asian markets exhibiting sturdy progress amid improved traceability. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
Coffee news weekly recapCoffee news weekly recap

Occasions & competitions

  • Mon, 13 Oct – Rancilio Specialty and Egro to showcase at HostMilano 2025. The model will spotlight modular programs, person interfaces and integrations for store, micro roaster and retail settings, spotlighting the brand new Specialty line and new automation options below the Rancilio household. (Milan, Italy)
  • Tue, 14 Oct – IMF Roasters to showcase roasters at HostMilano. The corporate will exhibit high-capacity roasters with modular design, energy-recovery programs, IoT roast profiling, and distant telemetry, plus stay demos and repair briefings aimed toward industrial roasters looking for throughput, consistency, and decrease emissions. (Milan, Italy)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – The Barista League Pacific 2025 is about for 28 November. The competitors on the New Zealand Worldwide Conference Centre will host regional barista groups competing in espresso, milk, and signature challenges. It should additionally characteristic a roasters village and commerce companions, providing competitors publicity and trade networking. (Auckland, New Zealand)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – LaCimbali previews Supera at NACS Present 2025. LaCimbali’s next-generation platform targets comfort and QSR operators with a modular design that includes as much as 4 grinders, a 13″ HD touchscreen, heated steel group, dual-circuit milk module, computerized wash cycle, and customisable self-service or staffed workflows. (Chicago, Illinois, US)
  • Wed, 15 Oct – Sustainable Harvest concludes twentieth Let’s Discuss Espresso in Lima. The 2025 version gathered producers, roasters, and trade consultants to debate local weather impacts, financing, and transparency in espresso. Highlights included Dr Aaron Davis’s keynote on arabica’s future, Blue Bottle-led species tastings, and Sustainable Harvest’s public monetary disclosure. (Lima, Peru)
  • Thu, 16 Oct – World Espresso Innovation Summit 2025 set for 9 to 11 December. The occasion gathers espresso know-how suppliers, roasters, and trade leaders to showcase sustainability, clever machines, novel brewing codecs, and scalable improvements by demos, panels, and networking aimed toward accelerating industrial adoption. (London, UK)
  • Fri, 17 Oct – Ceado highlights flavour innovation at HostMilano. The producer is presenting new grinder designs emphasising extraction management, bespoke burr geometry, and stepless changes. These designs additionally embrace modular dosing, decreased retention, and connectivity choices aimed toward specialty cafés and roasters, with stay demos and collaborative R&D showcases. (Milan, Italy)

Listed below are a couple of espresso information tales from earlier weeks that you simply may discover fascinating. Have a look:

  • Tue, 7 Oct – SSP promotes George Antoniou to steer EEME operations. George Antoniou was promoted from managing director to CEO for Jap Europe and the Center East, overseeing 9 markets and about 30 websites. He’ll concentrate on boosting returns after main growth into Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bulgaria, masking Caffè Ritazza and different SSP manufacturers. (London, UK)
  • Thu, 9 Oct – Saudi Arabia’s Barns to increase into Oman and the UAE. Franchise agreements will again mall and excessive avenue openings subsequent 12 months, specializing in retail, wholesale, and model partnerships; Gulf growth goals to scale the Saudi chain’s specialty menu, assist native suppliers and create jobs by way of franchise recruitment. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Photograph credit: La Marzocco

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Need to sustain with present affairs within the espresso trade? Take a look at final week’s espresso information tales and ensure to learn the newest Espresso Intelligence Information & Opinion piece about why Colombia is having a bumper crop 12 months.



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