Coffee Intelligence Round-Up August 4th

Our coverage includes emerging market trends, challenges at origin, technological innovation, and human interest stories.

Consumption & Trends

Certification is standard for baristas, roasters, and cuppers – all in pursuit of excellence. Yet curiously, one role remains neglected, often left to chance or charisma: management.

Most cafés certify baristas, not bosses – yet poor leadership is what sinks businesses. Passion isn’t a substitute for process – nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. workers said they would quit their jobs over a bad manager. Meanwhile, structure sells – companies with strong management grow 30% faster.

Sarah Charles speaks with an anonymous U.S.-based green coffee trader about what the most common challenges are when it comes to management in the coffee sector.

At coffee trade shows this year – the London Coffee Festival or World of Coffee, for example – non-coffee products like oatmilk, matcha, sunflower‑butter lattes, and even beer are increasingly stealing the show.

75% of Gen Z coffee drinkers now prefer flavoured or customised drinks over black filter coffee. As consumer focus shifts, third-wave professionals & businesses face a stark choice: evolve or be left behind.

Sarah Charles speaks with Anupama Agarwal, Founder of Eat.Sleep.Review.Repeat., Joshua Longsdorf, Owner of Anthology Coffee, and Ric Rhinehart, Senior Consultant for the coffee and tea sectors, and former Executive Director of the Specialty Coffee Association about specialty coffee’s identity crisis, and where it will go from here.

News & Opinions

As global coffee consumption shows signs of cooling, brands are pouring millions into rekindling its emotional appeal.

EU coffee consumption flatlined at 1.74 million tonnes between 2021 and 2023. The UK and Switzerland imported 9.1% and 8.4% less green coffee in 2023, respectively. But brands are starting to spend big to revive.

Sarah Charles speaks with Spencer Turer, Vice President of Coffee Enterprises about the history and power of sector marketing campaigns, and whether coffee needs one now.

Earlier this month, sweeping tariffs made headlines again as US President Donald Trump, through a series of letters, warned that countries failing to strike trade deals with the US by August 1 will face increased tariffs.

16.7% of Brazil’s coffee exports go to the US – now under threat from proposed 50% tariffs. As Brazil diversifies exports to Asia and Europe, US roasters face higher prices and sourcing challenges.

Sarah Charles speaks with Italo Henrique, Commercial Director at Expocacer - Cooperativa dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado in Brazil, and Sean Capistrant, Trabocca’s Trade Manager for the US, about how tariffs on Brazil risk raising global prices and destabilising long-standing trade flows.

What else is brewing

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