Coffee News Recap, 17 Jul: Global Coffee Awards crown the best roasters in Asia, instant coffee will be included in EUDR & other stories

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

Editor’s note

It’s a big week for instant coffee. Brussels has just brought soluble coffee within the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), closing a gap that allowed companies to process outside Europe and import the finished product without the same scrutiny as other coffee products.

Washington is heading in the same direction. According to the recent announcement by the US Trade Representative, all coffee, including unflavoured instant coffee, will be exempt from the new 25% tariff imposed on Brazil.

The National Coffee Association applauded the decision. However, in a joint statement, the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association, the Brazilian Soluble Coffee Industry Association, and Cecafé emphasised that a second USTR investigation is pending, which could lead to a new 12.5% tariff on Brazilian coffee, with all products at risk.

Elsewhere, the Global Coffee Awards have crowned the top roasters in Asia, following last week’s results for Africa and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The winners reflect how varied the Asian specialty coffee market has become. It’s the fastest-growing in the world, bringing together mature and rapidly emerging markets.

Taiwan’s All Day Roasting Company took the overall win. Hong Kong’s oma Coffee Roaster, PT. Kopi Kina Indonesia, and Thailand’s Addicto Coffee also picked up top honours.

In 2027, the Africa, MENA and Asia winners will compete against roasters from the US and Canada, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean to decide the World’s Best Roaster.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 13 Jul – Global Coffee Awards recognise Asia’s best roasters. Taiwan’s All Day Roasting Company was named the overall winner, winning Gold in the Filter and Flat White Plant-Based Milk categories. Hong Kong’s oma Coffee Roaster won Gold in the Espresso category, Indonesia’s Kopikana Coffee Roaster won Gold in the Flat White Dairy category, and Thailand’s Addicto Coffee won Gold in Specialty Drip Bag category.

• Tue, 14 Jul – EU adds instant coffee to the EUDR product scope. The measure closes a loophole that would have allowed soluble coffee to bypass deforestation rules. New products become subject to the regulation from 30 December 2027. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Wed, 15 Jul – All Brazilian coffee, including unflavoured instant coffee, will be exempt from new US tariffs. The Trump administration says it plans to impose a new 25% tariff on certain Brazilian imports from 22 July, following a yearlong investigation that concluded the country had engaged in “unfair” trade practices. ABIC, ABICS, and Cecafé emphasised that there is still a second USTR investigation, which could lead to fresh tariffs on Brazilian coffee. (Washington, DC, US)

• Wed, 15 Jul – ICO prices rebound sharply in June after hitting near two‑year lows. The daily indicator fell to US$2.32 on 9 June, the lowest since August 2024, then rallied to US$2.72 by month‑end, before surging above US$3 in early July. (London, UK)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Brazil’s 2025/26 coffee exports drop in volume, yet earnings climb. Exports of all forms of coffee fell by 15.7% over the past 12 months, to a total of 38,461,846 bags, the lowest level since 2022/23. Export earnings totalled US$14.6 billion following a 17.4% rise in the average export price in June. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Nine regional Canadian AeroPress Championships to run from August to October. Hosts include Porte Bleue Coffee in Montreal, Quebec; Augusta Coffee Bar in Toronto, Ontario; and Nomad in Vancouver, BC. The finals will take place in Calgary on 17 October.

• Fri, 17 Jul – Daria Bila is the 2026 UK Barista Champion. Pact Coffee’s Laura Metcalfe placed second, and WatchHouse’s Ted Longden came third. Daria, representing Formative Coffee, will represent the UK at the 2026 World Barista Championship in October. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 13 Jul – Cornish Bakery expands UK footprint with six new stores and RISE concept. The chain opened its first Welsh site in Betws-y-Coed and its largest outlet at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth. The licensed RISE format adds small plates for breakfast, brunch, and early-evening dining. The brand partners with Origin Coffee for its coffee offering. (London, UK)

• Mon, 13 Jul – AI, regenerative agriculture, and wine industry sophistication are the future of specialty coffee, according to Andrea Illy. The illycaffè chairman says AI could soon advise growers on pruning and irrigation, while automation may manage watering directly. He argues coffee should be enjoyed pure, without milk or sugar, to appreciate its over 1,000 aromas. (Trieste, Italy)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Bradford named the UK’s cheapest city for coffee, with an average price of £2.66. The Capital on Tap study of 30 cities found nearly 70% of Bradford’s cafés are independently owned. Leeds ranked sixth most expensive at £3.81, while London topped the list at £4.13. (Bradford, UK)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Dunn Brothers Coffee names the University of St. Thomas as its first higher-education partner. The Minneapolis roaster will supply roasted coffee and beverages to campus dining, convenience stores, and catering. President Ben Anderson said the brand is excited to help fuel students, faculty, and staff throughout the academic year. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Javvy Coffee expands protein coffee across the US in partnership with Walmart. The eight‑ounce bag offers 10g of protein per serving, targeting health‑conscious consumers. Founder KC said the move provides better‑for‑you options for those seeking quality without compromise. (Ogden, Utah, US)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Cuppari Coffee uses roast‑to‑order models with free shipping across the US. The Branchburg roaster ships coffee the day after roasting, offering whole bean, roast & ground, single‑serve, and artisan teas with no minimum order. (Branchburg, New Jersey, US)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Panera’s Sip Club will cap self‑serve drinks at 30 per month starting in August. The US$14.99 monthly fee stays the same, and the word “unlimited” will be removed from the name. The change comes as part of a wider loyalty revamp under the Panera RISE plan. (St Louis, Missouri, US)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Costa Coffee returns to Luton Airport with a new 24/7 store. The 198-seater, located in the new terminal extension, opens in September. It replaces a site that closed in 2021. The outlet will be operated by Menzies Aviation. (London, UK)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Field Study Coffee shifts to reservation-only service. The Brooklyn café now offers one‑hour experiences, including omakase and guided tastings, to slow down service and focus on intentionality. It has also introduced house‑roasted coffees, with a multi‑roaster lineup and two espresso machines for different profiles. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Functional coffee brand Reformed raises US$22m and targets the US market. The London-based DTC brand reached US$70m ARR in 20 months with 14 employees, achieving roughly US$5m per head. It blends arabica with collagen, creatine, and mushrooms. The US launch is set for autumn 2026. (London, UK)

• Thu, 16 Jul – ETG and Lavazza partner on satellite‑based traceability for deforestation‑free coffee. The project uses satellite monitoring, geolocation, and farmer training to ensure EUDR compliance, covering thousands of Vietnamese producers as a first step towards full supply chain transparency. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Thu, 16 Jul – CQI and BSCA partner to make coffee education more accessible in Brazil. The Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association becomes the exclusive distributor of CQI’s educational content in the country. The agreement, signed at WoC Brussels, aims to reduce course costs and improve quality for producers. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Rwandan coffee heads to Premier League via Aston Villa in US$26m deal. The four-year partnership with the Rwanda Development Board will see coffee roasted in the UK, served at Villa Park and distributed across supermarkets and stadiums nationwide. (Kigali, Rwanda)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Etiquette expert settles UK milk-first debate. Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, says modern etiquette dictates adding milk after the tea or coffee. The original 16th‑century practice of pouring milk first was to prevent delicate cups from cracking, a necessity that ended with the arrival of fine bone china. (London, UK)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Costa Coffee expands its presence in the Americas with new markets in Mexico and the US. The UK chain entered Latin America through Mexico in late 2025, opening its first stores in Mexico City. It aims to become one of Mexico’s top three coffee brands by 2034. In the US, the brand is growing via retail partnerships and self-serve kiosks rather than traditional coffee shops. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Fri, 17 Jul – South Korean coffee chains agree to cut disposable cup waste from September. The pact, signed by 23 chains including Starbucks, Ediya, and McDonald’s, covers 22,000 outlets. Customers who bring their own cup save up to US$0.60 through store discounts and carbon neutrality points. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Black Sheep Coffee targets Ireland for its next European expansion. The UK-based robusta chain, with over 120 stores in the UK and a growing presence in the US and the Gulf, is seeking a single franchise partner to roll out across Ireland. Applicants must commit to at least ten locations and have £1m in liquid assets. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Huracán Coffee welcomes new Colombian consulate in Vilnius. The Lithuanian roaster, crowned World’s Best Roaster at the 2025 Global Coffee Awards, served its Colombian Gesha at the recent opening. (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Businesses for sale

• Thu, 16 Jul – Miko acquires majority stake in Norway’s Kronen Kaffe. The group purchased a 75% stake in the coffee service specialist based in Stavanger, Norway’s third-largest city. Miko strengthens its position in the Norwegian market, aiming to achieve nationwide coverage. (Redruth, England)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Spain’s Cafento acquires Ireland’s McCabe’s Coffee. Cafento, one of Spain’s largest coffee groups, acquired the Wicklow specialty roaster for an undisclosed sum. This marks Cafento’s second Irish acquisition, following Java Republic in 2019. McCabe’s will continue as an independent brand within the group. (Dublin, Ireland)

New launch

• Mon, 13 Jul – Nowwa Coffee opens its first Malaysian store in KL Eco City, targeting 200 outlets in three years. The Shanghai-based chain, backed by a Series C round and a partnership with Reveillon Group, enters a market valued at about US$1.1bn. The brand has over 10,000 stores globally. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Chameleon Coffee launches Organic A2 Flash Brew RTD. The Texas-based brand’s new ready‑to‑drink line is available nationwide exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market. (Austin, Texas, US)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Single Cup Coffee launches commercially compostable coffee pods. The new pods are designed to break down in industrial composting facilities. The launch coincides with Plastic‑Free July. They are now available at Sprouts Farmers Market. (Phoenix, Arizona, US)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Sodexo UK & Ireland launches Barista Collective training to elevate coffee standards across 300 sites. The programme involves 22 coffee champions delivering Level 1 and 2 barista courses. An eight‑month apprenticeship with HIT Training combines technical expertise with hospitality skills. The group serves over nine million cups annually. (London, UK)

• Thu, 14 Jul – Shelbru launches June vacuum‑insulated pour‑over brewer on Kickstarter. The double‑walled stainless steel dripper maintains a 1‑2°C temperature drop vs 9‑11°C for glass or metal. It features concave ribs and a removable base compatible with Hario Switch, and has raised over US$18,000. (London, UK)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Scooter’s Coffee breaks ground on US$40m cold storage facility in Papillion. The 154,400‑square‑foot centre, set to open in June 2027, will initially support over 330 stores and scale to 700. It is the chain’s third Omaha‑area hub and seventh nationwide. (Papillion, Nebraska, US)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Vixxo launches Café Solutions platform for coffee equipment management. The programme integrates IoT data, operational insights, and a network of over 250 technicians to reduce downtime. It follows nearly 20 years of experience in convenience stores and QSR coffee service, and is currently live in Dallas, Phoenix, and Denver. (Dallas, Texas, US)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Loyalty360 launches Customer Loyalty Commitment Index to benchmark organisational commitment. The assessment offers a score to measure and compare loyalty strategies against industry peers. (London, UK)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Verve launches Long Play decaf blend for quality‑conscious drinkers. The blend features three Colombian coffees from Huila and Cauca, decaffeinated using Descafecol’s natural sugar cane process. It delivers notes of pineberry, golden raisin, and molasses. Priced at US$24, it’s available online and in Verve cafés. (Santa Cruz, California, US)

• Fri, 17 Jul – La Marzocco unveils Wavy custom Linea Micra. The one‑off machine, created in collaboration with S.A Design for a private client, was built at the MUMAC Museum and serves as a striking design showpiece. (Florence, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Blue Tokai opens its first GCC café in Dubai’s BurJuman Mall. India’s largest specialty roaster, founded in 2013, now operates over 250 cafés and partners with more than 80 farms. A second UAE location is already planned, with further expansion across the region. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Milestone

• Wed, 15 Jul – De’Longhi unveils record product pipeline at global meeting in Treviso. Over 200 leaders gathered to shape future growth. The group is also upgrading its brand communication strategy after campaigns featuring Brad Pitt and the World’s Smallest Coffee Shop earned a Grand Prix at Cannes. (Treviso, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Every Half raises US$8m in Series A from Openspace and DSG. The Vietnamese specialty chain will use the funds to expand its store network, invest in supply chain and fermentation technology, and scale its packaged coffee business. It currently runs 36 stores and expects revenue to nearly triple this year. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Trade & production

• Mon, 13 Jul – New FAO report warns structural vulnerabilities amplify price shocks in coffee. Supply and demand drive over 90% of short‑term price moves, with producers bearing the brunt while consumer prices are less affected. The report calls for climate‑resilient farming, better market data, and fairer value distribution. (Rome, Italy)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Cofco partners with Expocacer to take women-produced Brazilian specialty coffee to China. The partnership will supply 150 tonnes of coffee from 20 female producers in the Cerrado Mineiro region, valued at US$1.6m. The coffee will be exported via the Green Coffee Centre to Chinese buyers. (Uberaba, Brazil)

• Tue, 14 Jul – El Niño could cut Brazil’s record coffee harvest by up to 20%, says ABIC. State agency Conab forecasts 66.7m bags for 2026, but heat and irregular rainfall may reduce output. Growers are better prepared than in past El Niño episodes thanks to irrigation and more resilient crops. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Uganda promotes coffee to Nordic buyers as export earnings hit US$2.2bn. A promotional event in Copenhagen from 22‑28 June targeted Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Uganda exported 7.7m bags in FY2024/25, up nearly 100% in revenue, with Europe taking 69% of total exports. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Brazil 2026 harvest now estimated at 66m bags, up 14.7% according to IBGE. Arabica production is seen at 44.4m bags, while robusta is forecast at 21.6m bags, a 3% rise on 2025. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) figures confirm a record year for the crop, despite recent climate incidents. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Ecuadorian Amazon coffee farmers adapt to EUDR through community-based traceability. Producers in San Ignacio and other provinces use geolocation, agronomic data, and group approaches to prove deforestation-free status. Grupo Valor, a third-generation family business, buys from over 2,000 farmers and centres on 30-day harvest windows to build trust. (Quito, Ecuador)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Kenya ships the first of 20 green coffee containers to Italy, targeting the EU market. The consignment to Trieste Port sold at over US$9.50/kg. Italy’s market is valued at KES 500bn (US$3.8bn). Kenya aims to raise annual output from 50,000 to 150,000 tonnes by 2029. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Saudi coffee defies global price volatility as limited supply shields market. Production in Jazan exceeds 1,000 tonnes annually from 2,000 farms and over 400,000 plants. Local prices range between SR120 and SR300 per kg, depending on productivity, quality, and demand. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Indonesia targets US$6.25bn in annual coffee exports. Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said current exports could be scaled up through higher-quality seedlings, processing, and market access. The goal is part of a wider push to move from raw material supplier to global price-setter. (Bener Meriah, Indonesia)

• Thu, 16 Jul – Togo launches coffee and cocoa farm restoration plan with 10,000 seedlings in Kloto prefecture. The initiative aims to rehabilitate 1,500 hectares and is part of a wider push to boost output and secure higher prices for producers. (Kloto, Togo)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Pacific coffee producers secure US$2.3m in projected sales at MICE 2026. The International Trade Centre’s UKTP programme supported a 16‑producer delegation, with 12 from Papua New Guinea. Over US$311,000 in contracts were signed during the expo. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Fri, 17 Jul – 80% of coffee sold in Egypt is fake, says Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s coffee division reported that fraud involving “Rico” and other labels is widespread. Authentic Lavazza is being swapped for imitations. An exporter warned that unfair competition is destroying Egypt’s legitimate coffee industry, but the Consumer Protection Agency insists it has shut down the main offenders. (Cairo, Egypt)

• Fri, 17 Jul – FAO and ICO renew partnership to advance sustainable coffee sector. A new memorandum of understanding was signed on 16 July in Rome. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu warned that 30% of production faces risk if sustainability is not addressed. ICO Executive Director Vanusia Nogueira said collaboration is fundamental to creating a more resilient sector. (Rome, Italy)

Research

• Tue, 14 Jul – Oatly’s “Future of Taste” identifies five key beverage trends for 2026. Based on interviews with hundreds of baristas across 23 countries, the report highlights health, sustainability, and global flavours. The company also released a Lookbook with signature drinks to bring these trends to life. (Malmö, Sweden)

• Tue, 14 Jul – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study rates coffee as a viable high‑value alternative crop for Florida farmers. Research tested four arabica cultivars, measuring yield and quality. A preliminary economic model projected production costs and revenue, while challenges include climate constraints, soil conditions, and market segmentation. (Gainesville, Florida, US)

• Wed, 15 Jul – Report shows that Delta and Alaska serve the best airline coffee in the US. A Point.me survey of 556 frequent flyers found Delta’s Starbucks wins overall at 24.8%, while Alaska’s Stumptown blend is preferred by those flying multiple times per year. Dunkin’ on JetBlue came last at 11.2%. (New York City, New York, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 13 Jul – London Brew Up competition set for 25 July. The Barn Berlin’s one-year UK anniversary event features 18 competitors across six heats using V60s. The grand prize includes a Comandante grinder and £150 in cash. (London, UK)

• Mon, 13 Jul – Yunnan’s Gengxia Estate Gesha scores 91.78 at the Gems of Yunnan competition. The province’s specialty ratio rose from 8% in 2021 to 41.7% in 2025, and deep‑processing from 20% to 85%. Domestic sales now account for 90% of output, prices have tripled in three years, and agricultural output hit US$1.24bn in 2025. (Kunming, China)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Brighton Coffee Festival returns 8 & 9 August. Now in its eighth year, the event at All Saints Hove has grown tenfold since 2019 and has become the largest festival in southern England. It features over 50 exhibitors, live talks, cuppings, workshops, latte art competitions, and the UK & Ireland Filter Championships. (Brighton, UK)

• Tue, 14 Jul – Costa Rica’s Cup of Excellence 2026 achieves record US$200/lb at auction. A washed Java from Finca Río Blanco, scoring 91.36 points, generated over US$105,872 for 529.1 lbs. The 30 winning lots averaged US$45.53/lb, up 48% from 2025, with total sales of US$797,967. (San José, Costa Rica)

• Wed, 15 Jul – 3TEMP, Café Colmado, and Kappa host a community run in NYC on 19 July. The 5km event starts at 9:30 am from Café Colmado, followed by coffee, music, and signature drinks at 10:20 am. Participants receive a Kappa-branded running kit, with running communities Isla, Racers, and Corillo also involved. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 16 Jul – SIGEP Asia returns to Singapore, bringing coffee, gelato, and bakery together. The Italian Exhibition Group event runs 15-17 July, featuring hundreds of international foodservice brands. The programme also includes the Gelato World Cup Asia Selection and the Bread in the City Asia Selection. (Singapore)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2026 to be held on 21 & 22 August. The B2B trade show features over 80 hours of education, 50 free sessions, and dedicated areas including the Roasting Hub, Cupping Corner, Latte Art Venue and Tech Lab. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Fri, 17 Jul – Lithuania’s Huracán Coffee secures top lot at 2026 Honduras Cup of Excellence auction. The roaster paid US$28.20/lb for a washed Typica from Finca El Manantial, which placed second in the Traditional Category. The highest-scoring coffee, a 90.5-point washed Gesha, received the top bid of US$90/lb. (San Pedro Sula, Honduras)

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

• Tue, 7 Jul – Moka Energy named Food Network favourite at Summer Fancy Food Show. The beverage combines coffee and green tea in Original, Peach, Raspberry, and Mango flavours. It was the only energy drink selected by Food Network for the 2026 trend list. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 9 Jul – Lavazza renews Wimbledon coffee partnership with multi-year extension. The Italian roaster, Official Coffee Partner since 2011, operates four on-site cafés and serves across 80 further points. Brand Ambassador Jannik Sinner extended his association until 2030. (London, UK)

• Thu, 9 Jul – The Leela unveils Coorg Forest Sanctuary, a 76‑acre retreat set within one of the region’s oldest coffee estates. The IGBC Platinum‑certified property features 71 villas and offers an Estate-to-Brew journey with plantation walks and tastings at Modur Estate. (Coorg, India)

Photo credits: Global Coffee Awards, Huracán Coffee, Specialty Coffee Association UK

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