Coffee News Recap, 3 Apr: Global Coffee Awards MENA announced for June, new CEO named for KDP’s Global Coffee Co & other stories

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

Editor’s note

It’s been a huge week for coffee competitions and awards. The US recently crowned Esther Kim and Mehmet Sogan as the 2026 US Brewers Cup and Cup Tasters Champions, respectively. Kim and Sogan will represent the US at the world finals, which will both take place at World of Coffee Brussels in June.

Meanwhile, Arkansas’ Onyx Coffee Lab progressed to the finals of the 2026 James Beard Awards – one of very few specialty coffee brands to reach this stage. The winners will be announced in June.

Following on from the groundbreaking success of the 2025 World Championship, recently held in El Salvador, the Global Coffee Awards has also announced its full 2026 schedule. The first edition is open to roasters in the Middle East and North Africa.

Data from Project Café Middle East indicates that the region’s branded coffee shop sector surpassed 11,160 outlets in 2025. The value of the UAE’s coffee market alone exceeds US$3.2bn, culminating in a truly vibrant specialty coffee scene.

The GCA MENA edition aims to recognise and reward the most skilled and innovative roasters in the region’s booming market. In 2027, the winners will compete with roasters from Africa, Asia, the US & Canada, Europe, and Latin America – resulting in one of the most dynamic competitions in the coffee industry.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 30 Mar – San Francisco’s Wild Fox sells Brazilian coffee for US$105 per cup. The 93.14-point anaerobically fermented 2024 Cup of Excellence winning lot from Minas Gerais was roasted by Tokyo’s Glitch. The Wild Fox prepares each coffee using a Hario Switch and has sold seven cups since opening in December. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Tue, 31 Mar – New report warns 20% of arabica-producing land will be unsuitable by 2050. According to Rabobank’s study, Brazil’s suitable harvest areas could drop from 81% ​to 62%. Colombia’s areas could decline to 45% from 56% today, while Honduras’ suitable regions could drop sharply to 12% from 53% today. Ethiopia, meanwhile, could see the share of its arabica crops grown on suitable land rise to 50%, up ​from 39% currently. (London, UK)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Stronghold launches S2 micro-batch roaster. The new machine, debuting at WoC San Diego, has a batch capacity of 80-300g, using AI-driven profile replication and high-precision heat adjustments for professional and competition use. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Dublin Coffee Festival to return from 10 to 12 April. Ireland’s largest coffee event will feature over 50 roasters, a new industry-only Friday session, talks and seminars, a latte art competition, the 2026 Irish Brewers Cup Championship, workshops, cuppings, and live music. (Dublin, Ireland)

Industry news

• Mon, 30 Mar – Arvid Nordquist appoints fourth-generation CEO. Wilhelm Nordquist has been named head of the family-owned Swedish roaster. He takes over to lead a new phase of sustainable growth following the recent opening of the company’s state-of-the-art, fossil-free roastery in Järfälla. (Stockholm, Sweden)

• Mon, 30 Mar – Luckin Coffee expands footprint in Hong Kong. The chain opened its latest store at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, continuing its strategic push into the territory. This expansion leverages the brand’s high-efficiency, digital-first retail model to capture market share within the local coffee market. (Hong Kong, China)

• Tue, 31 Mar – Fairtrade launches 2026-28 global strategy. The new plan focuses on enhancing farmer resilience through climate-smart agriculture and fairer income initiatives. By strengthening producer cooperatives, Fairtrade aims to secure sustainable supply chains for the global specialty coffee market. (Bonn, Germany)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Chinese coffee chains eye global growth beyond low prices. Major brands like Luckin and Cotti are shifting focus from price wars to quality and branding as they expand abroad. The move aims to secure a premium position in the global specialty coffee market through technology and local adaptation. (Beijing, China)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Jubilant Foodworks to exit Dunkin’ India franchise deal. The operator will not renew its agreement when it expires in late 2026. The decision follows Dunkin’s struggle for traction, allowing Jubilant to focus on Domino’s and potential high-growth specialty coffee segments. (Noida, India)

• Thu, 2 Apr – OMG Group signs matcha deal with The Little Marionette. The agreement allows the ASX-listed company to supply premium Japanese matcha as a raw ingredient to the specialty coffee roaster’s network. The move validates OMG’s strategy to expand into the ingredient supply sector. (Sydney, Australia)

• Thu, 2 Apr – Kopi Kenangan enters Taiwan as its seventh market. The Indonesian chain launched its first Taipei store, marking its latest international expansion. Following 2025 entries into India and Australia, the unicorn aims to scale its tech-led model across East Asia this year. (Taipei, Taiwan)

• Thu, 2 Apr – Nestlé Brasil projects 27% growth in soluble coffee exports. The company plans to ship over 20,200 tonnes of soluble coffee in 2026, fueled by lower green coffee prices and reduced US tariffs. The expansion is focused on its Araras hub, a leading Nescafé plant serving 57 countries, which is undergoing a R$1bn investment in AI and automation. (Araras, Brazil)

• Fri, 3 Apr – British Coffee Association adopts revised Arbitration Rules. The updated rules apply to all new coffee arbitrations to maintain global service leadership. Existing tribunals continue under previous rules. An online training platform is also in development for later this year. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Ziggi’s Coffee bolsters leadership team. The US drive-thru franchise appointed former Starbucks executive Chuck Thaden as VP of Operations and veteran Mark Sclafani as VP of Franchise Development. The strategic hires aim to scale the brand’s footprint. (Mead, Colorado, US)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 30 Mar – Danone to acquire Huel to boost functional nutrition portfolio. The French firm signed a definitive agreement to buy the British plant-based brand for a reported €1bn. The move expands Danone’s “Complete Nutrition” portfolio, leveraging Huel’s strong digital and direct-to-consumer presence. (Paris, France)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Miko acquires Roast & Ground to strengthen UK position. The Belgian coffee service group has purchased the London-based operator to expand its presence in the premium office sector. The deal enhances Miko’s capacity to deliver specialty coffee solutions to corporate clients. (Turnhout, Belgium)

New launch

• Mon, 30 Mar – WMF 1500 F launches with new Cool Brewed technology. The machine now prepares cold-extracted beverages at the press of a button, bypassing the 12-24 hour manual process. The system uses a hot pre-infusion followed by ambient extraction to deliver a low-bitterness profile. (Geislingen, Germany)

• Mon, 30 Mar – Ecotact unveils Trace IQ™ tracking device. The GSM-based tracking device is powered by the brand’s intelligence platform, making it the coffee industry’s first real-time smart digital logger. It monitors key environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and moisture, while its location-tracking feature allows stakeholders to monitor shipments in real time, record data throughout transportation, and spot potential risks during storage and transit. Ecotact will showcase Trace IQ™ at WoC San Diego. (New Delhi, India)

• Mon, 30 Mar – Ethiopia launches digital shield for coffee. The new platform uses blockchain to ensure traceability and verify the origin of its exports. This tech-driven approach aims to protect the country’s dominance in the global coffee market by boosting transparency for buyers. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Tue, 31 Mar – de Jong DUKE launches Lina coffee machine. The professional brewer features a modular design and an intuitive interface for B2B environments. It aims to deliver a consistent specialty coffee experience while offering ease of maintenance and high-performance output. (Sliedrecht, Netherlands)

• Tue, 31 Mar – Outin introduces the Lattogo portable milk frother. The device is designed to create barista-quality latte art on the go. Its compact, wireless design allows users to achieve professional-grade microfoam anywhere, enhancing the mobile brewing experience. (Hong Kong, China)

• Tue, 31 Mar – The Autonomous Tamper enters the global market. The high-precision tool offers consistent pressure and automated levelling. Designed for high-volume environments, it helps cafes maintain quality and efficiency across teams. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Wed, 1 Apr – NBA’s Corey Kispert launches The Bitter Truth Coffee Co. The Washington Wizards player has debuted a new roasting brand focused on high-quality sourcing and community engagement. The venture aims to bring approachable specialty coffee to fans through accessible blends and direct-to-consumer sales. (Washington, DC, US)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Flair Espresso announces eWizard milk steamer. The brand known for manual espresso makers unveiled its first electric, standalone milk steamer. Designed for manual setups, the eWizard provides high-pressure steam for high-quality milk foam and latte art at home. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Thu, 2 Apr – GCP launches new coffee procurement principles for farmer viability. Developed with IDH and Solidaridad, this framework focuses on “Strategic Partnerships” and “Sustainable Production” for 14 global roasters and traders, aiming to enhance economic resilience and shared responsibility in the specialty supply chain. (Bonn, Germany)

• Thu, 2 Apr – MONIN launches Matcha Green Tea concentrate. Made with premium Japanese matcha powder, MONIN’s trend-led launch allows baristas to prepare hot and iced matcha-based drinks in under 20 seconds. (Bourges, France)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Rocket Espresso introduces R58 TUNE. The dual-boiler evolution features TUNE technology for customisable pre-infusion and a sculptural TCA Coffee Group. The machine includes a magnetic display, push-and-turn knobs, and a fast 8-10-minute heat-up time for home and low-volume office use. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Gregorys Coffee launches multi-city franchise tour. The NY-based brand started “The Daily Grind” tour to attract partners across the US. The initiative targets expansion into new markets to promote its high-volume retail strategy. (New York City, New York, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 30 Mar – Starbucks hits 100-million-tree milestone in Guatemala. Celebrating 15 years in the country, the firm reached its goal of distributing 100 million coffee trees to farmers. The initiative aims to bolster climate resilience and ensure the long-term supply of coffee. (Guatemala City, Guatemala)

• Fri, 3 Apr – ICP celebrates 25 years of supporting smallholders. The partnership of seven European roasters has reached over 125,700 families in 13 countries since 2001. It promotes climate resilience and gender equality, helping farmers transition to entrepreneurial specialty coffee production. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Ediya Coffee celebrates 25 years amid local pressure. South Korea’s largest chain by outlets faces a critical turning point as faltering sales and rising competition from value-led brands impact franchisees. The company is now balancing operational optimisation with its lead in the Korean market. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Amazon Robusta gains world’s first sustainable label. The Brazilian state of Rondônia is transforming its coffee sector through regenerative agriculture and partnerships with indigenous communities. Led by Embrapa, high-grade robusta lots are achieving scores up to 95 points, positioning the region as a leader in climate-resilient specialty production. (Rondônia, Brazil)

• Fri, 3 Apr – COFE+ robot reaches 65 countries. Developed by Shanghai Hi-Dolphin, the 6th-generation intelligent coffee robot has expanded its global presence to 65 nations. Operating in just 2.5m², the 24/7 autonomous kiosk offers over 65 beverage varieties. (Shanghai, China)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Puroast Coffee receives patent for low-acid process. The USPTO granted the company a patent for its roasting technology, which reduces acidity by 70% compared to other brands. Validated by UC Davis, the method preserves flavour and caffeine, offering a specialty solution for consumers with GERD or acid reflux. (High Point, North Carolina, US)

Trade & production

• Mon, 30 Mar – Waiguru urges US$8.2m debt waiver for Kenyan coffee farmers. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru appealed to the national government to fast-track the write-off for 14 local cooperatives. The US$8.2m burden hinders the sector’s revival, despite county production rising to 48,000 tonnes and record coffee prices. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Mon, 30 Mar – MauiGrown Coffee marks comeback with 2025/26 harvest. Over two years after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires destroyed its mills and store, the company has resumed production. High-quality Red Catuai, Yellow Caturra, Typica, and Maui Mokka are now available for wholesale via temporary milling facilities. (Lahaina, Hawaii, US)

• Tue, 31 Mar – Cameroon opens first robusta processing centre. The CICC launched the Baditoum site to improve post-harvest quality and access specialty markets. The facility aims to boost farmer earnings by moving from green bean exports to value-added production. (Baditoum, East Region, Cameroon)

• Tue, 31 Mar – Cooxupé projects revenue of US$3.23bn for 2025. The world’s largest coffee cooperative reported nearly 60% growth driven by higher arabica prices. Total intake reached 6.075 million bags, with US$35.25m distributed to members as surplus from the previous cycle. (Guaxupé, Brazil)

• Wed, 1 Apr – Espírito Santo Conilon exports rise significantly. Shipments grew by 28% in the first quarter of the year. The surge reflects global demand for high-quality Conilon in the specialty and soluble sectors due to supply shortages elsewhere. (Vitória, Brazil)

• Wed, 1 Apr – CMN approves US$1.41bn for Funcafé 2026-27 cycle. The National Monetary Council authorised these funds to finance harvesting, storage, and coffee acquisition. This allocation, up 2.5% from the previous year, provides critical liquidity to producers and cooperatives nationwide. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Fri, 3 Apr – UNIDO and industry leaders boost Uganda’s seed systems. A €850,000 coalition, including JDE Peet’s, Lavazza, and Smucker Co., will fund WCR-led efforts to scale disease-resistant varieties. The project aims to produce 460,000 high-yielding trees annually, securing the future of Uganda’s specialty and commercial coffee supplies. (Kampala, Uganda)

Research

• Mon, 30 Mar – Study explores coffee’s role in treating depression. Published in Nutrients, the research by Turkowska et al. examines how caffeine modulates specific depressive symptoms. While noting benefits for alertness, the authors highlight complexities in nutripsychiatric data and the need for personalised intake. (Warsaw, Poland)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Brazilian researchers mix coffee varieties for climate resilience. Scientists at the Campinas Agronomic Institute are cross-breeding arabica and robusta to survive heat and drought. The initiative aims to protect the specialty sector’s future by combining resilience with high-quality flavour profiles. (Campinas, Brazil)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 30 Mar – MICE2026 honours industry leaders and innovation. The Melbourne expo presented the Coffee Industry Heroes and Product Innovation Awards. Winners included Rebecca Zentveld (Lifetime Achievement) and Brewtech (Equipment). (Melbourne, Australia)

• Thu, 2 Apr – ACT Kenya 2026 auction launches micro-lot collection. Available now, 22 curated lots from regions like Nyeri and Kiambu showcase classic SL varieties alongside experimental processes. Sample sets are open for order ahead of the live bidding scheduled for April 23 at 12:00 London time. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Apr – Gems of Araku opens registration for its 18th edition. Out of 1,800 evaluated lots from India’s Araku Valley, only 15 qualified for the auction, with 12 scoring above 87 points. Sample orders are available until April 10, with live bidding scheduled to run from April 27 to 30. (Visakhapatnam, India)

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

• Tue, 19 Mar – Russo Modular and Town Pump launch Stonehouse Coffee Shots. The 400-sq-ft modular kiosk is designed for rapid convenience store expansion, offering a compact footprint and high efficiency. This model allows retailers to scale their specialty coffee presence with lower overhead. (Missoula, Montana, US)

• Tue, 24 Mar – Grounds for Health expands HPV screening in Ethiopia and Kenya. The NGO reached 844 women in Guji during the harvest and conducted a campaign at the Fero Co-op. In January 2026, its Kenya team helped launch the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026-30 to scale vaccination and treatment. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Thu, 26 Mar – The Global Coffee Alliance initiative is launched in Vietnam. The new public-private partnership aims to promote sustainable development across the supply chain. It focuses on climate resilience, farmers’ livelihoods, and enhancing specialty production to secure its global market standing. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Thu, 26 Mar – Costa Coffee to open 40 new drive-thrus. The UK chain plans to launch 40 additional drive-thru sites in 2026 to capture the growing “on-the-go” market. The expansion focuses on high-traffic locations and follows a strong performance in the brand’s convenience-led formats. (London, UK)

• Thu, 26 Mar – Starbucks tests new ordering methods in high-traffic sites. The chain is piloting kiosks and scheduled app orders at licensed venues like airports and campuses. The move aims to cut wait times and unify the experience across its 7,200 North American licensed stores. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Photo credits: Global Coffee Awards

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