Coffee News Recap, 10 Apr: Global Coffee Awards Asia to take place in June, StoneX forecasts record 182.5 million bags for 2026/27 global production & other stories

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

Editor’s note

Despite positive production forecasts for 2026/27, arabica futures remain elevated, and uncertainty continues to shape the global coffee market.

StoneX projects a record 182.5 million bags for the 2026/27 harvest. Brazil is expected to lead that growth, with output rising by 20.8% year-on-year. Vietnam is forecast to increase production by nearly 10%, while Uganda and the Ivory Coast are set to raise Africa’s contribution by 3.6%.

Even so, the broader picture remains unsettled. Geopolitical tension in the Middle East persists, and European green coffee stocks have fallen to two-year lows. Analysts expect prices to stabilise towards the end of the year, but the replenishment of global stockpiles is likely to remain uneven. In the US, green coffee stocks dropped from more than 6 million bags in 2022 to fewer than 1 million in 2025, with only a modest recovery expected this year. Japan has seen a more gradual but equally persistent decline over the same period.

Against this backdrop, the industry continues to celebrate quality. The Global Coffee Awards recently named Lithuania’s Huracán Coffee the world’s best roaster, and the competition will host an Asia edition in June 2026.

Coffee consumption across Asia is growing faster than in North America and Europe, rising by more than 14% in recent years as specialty brands and chains expand across the region.

With some of the world’s most innovative roasters based there, the Asia edition is expected to be one of the most closely watched competitions this year. In 2027, winners from Asia will compete against roasters from Africa, the US and Canada, Europe, and Latin America, with a global champion crowned.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 6 Apr – Starbucks confirms joint venture in China with Boyu Capital. The deal transitions 8,000 company-run stores to a licensed model, with Boyu holding a 60% stake. Retaining 40% ownership, Starbucks aims to leverage local expertise to expand its presence to 20,000 locations in the US. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 7 Apr – Honduran coffee exports surged by 30% in March. According to the Honduran Coffee Institute, shipments reached 1.15 million 60kg bags last month, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth is attributed to a recovery in production following a negative biennial cycle and improved logistics at Puerto Cortés. (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)

• Wed, 8 Apr – Coffee stocks in major European ports at two-year low. According to data from the European Coffee Federation, stocks stood at 408,152 tonnes on 28 February, compared with 441,323 tonnes on 31 January, representing a month-on-month decline of 7.5%. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 6 Apr – illycaffè reports record revenues of US$644mn for 2024. Despite a 6.7% increase in turnover and a 16% rise in net profit, the Italian roaster warned of a “perfect storm” driven by high green coffee costs and logistics issues. Strong performance in the US and China drove the record results. (Trieste, Italy)

• Tue, 7 Apr – Fore Coffee reports strong growth post-IPO. The Indonesian chain’s revenue rose 44% to US$88m in 2025, with net profits climbing 55%. Following its successful public listing, the operator expanded its network to 316 stores and plans to reach 450 sites by 2027 through a direct-control model. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Wed, 8 Apr – Coffee Berry to enter three new European markets. The Greek specialty coffee chain is expanding into Germany, Poland, and Romania through new franchising agreements. With over 200 locations, the brand is pivoting toward European consolidation following its successful growth in the Middle East. (Athens, Greece)

• Wed, 8 Apr – Lavazza Group reports record revenues of US$4.2bn for 2025. Turnover grew 15.7% compared to 2024, supported by a 26.9% increase in North American sales. EBITDA rose to US$368mn despite high raw material costs, while net profit climbed to US$100mn in the group’s 130th year. (Turin, Italy)

• Thu, 9 Apr – Blank Street in early talks to raise over US$100mn. The coffee chain, backed by General Catalyst and Tiger Global, is exploring a new funding round to fuel global expansion. The move comes as the brand continues to scale its tech-enabled, small-format stores across New York City and London. (London, UK)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Costa Coffee expands London footprint. The chain is investing £3.5mn to open seven new stores and upgrade ten sites across the capital in 2026. Focus areas include high-footfall commuter hubs and a new format featuring digital kiosks and dedicated collection zones for convenience. (London, UK)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Olam Group announces leadership change as it separates into three divisions. Since 2020, Olam Group has been transitioning operations into Olam Agri, ofi, and Remaining Olam Group to simplify corporate structure. CEO Sunny Verghese, Chairman Lim Ah Doo, and Group CFO N Muthukumar will step down from their respective roles in late April. Deputy Chairman Yap Kee Chong will assume the role of Chairman, with the Board also planning to appoint a Lead Independent Director. Venkataraman Krishnan will be appointed the new Group CFO, while Gautam Wadhwa will be appointed as CEO of Remaining Olam Group. (Singapore)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 6 Apr – Sivetz returns to electric roasting via Peachey Roasters merger. The Oregon-based fluid bed roaster specialist unified operations with the Kansas manufacturer. The move adds 4kg and 9kg electric models to the Sivetz lineup, complementing the SRM15 gas roaster for a display at World of Coffee San Diego. (Hood River, Oregon, US)

• Tue, 7 Apr – Zus Coffee operator eyes IPO with US$1.38bn valuation. Zuspresso is targeting a listing to fund regional expansion, following a more than 100% increase in revenue to US$107.6mn in FY2024. The chain now operates over 1,000 tech-driven outlets across Southeast Asia. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Nordic Capital explores sale of bakery chain Ole & Steen. The private equity firm and co-investor L Catterton are reportedly seeking a buyer for the Danish group Lagkagehuset following a financial turnaround. The chain, which operates over 100 sites across Denmark, the UK, and the US, projects a return to profit in 2025. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

New launch

• Mon, 6 Apr – Sarutahiko Coffee opens rest area at Tokyo Imperial Palace. The specialty roaster opened its latest outlet at the Edo-jo Honmaru Rest House, marking the first private café in the historic East Gardens. Visitors can enjoy blends and single origins while exploring the former site of Edo Castle. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Tue, 7 Apr – Bucked Up launches two new functional RTD beverages. The brand introduced Drive Hydration and Refreshers to its lineup. Drive offers electrolytes and nootropics for mental clarity, while Refreshers provide a low-caffeine alternative with BCAAs and zero sugar, aiming to meet all-day performance needs. (Orem, Utah, US)

• Wed, 8 Apr – Smeg USA launches espresso and cold brew machine. The brand introduced the ECF03 model, capable of brewing espresso and cold brew in under three minutes. Alongside the new CGF03 multipurpose grinder, the suite features professional 15-bar pressure and a new matte finish. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Hario debuts two new V60 dripper variations at WoC San Diego. The V60 Dripper NEO and V60 Surfboard Base Dripper offer enhanced thermal stability and ergonomic handling. These models refine the traditional design to provide better consistency for both home enthusiasts and professional baristas. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Timemore and Matt Winton launch Vector dripper. The new stainless-steel brewer features precision ridges to boost extraction for light-roasted coffee. After selling out in China during Hotelex Shanghai, the international release is set for WoC Bangkok in May. (Shanghai, China)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Café Imports launches free ED+U academy. The green coffee importer released a comprehensive, six-part educational series covering the entire supply chain. Led by Dylan Siemens, the curriculum includes over ten hours of video on topics ranging from botany and agriculture to roasting and sensory analysis. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

Milestone

• Wed, 8 Apr – Frequent Coffee sets Coffee Review record with 94-point decaf score. The San Diego brand scored highest in Coffee Review history for its decaffeinated Red Bourbon Wilton Benítez lot from Colombia. Using a double-anaerobic fermentation and sugarcane ethyl acetate decaffeination, it preserves citrus flavours and floral complexity. (San Diego, California, US)

• Thu, 9 Apr – Vietnam’s fine robusta production reaches record levels. Quality improvements and sustainable practices have increased high-grade output, with exports fetching premiums of up to US$0.45 per lb above standard prices. This shift targets the growing demand for specialty robusta in global markets. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Trade & production

• Wed, 8 Apr – Vietnamese coffee exports grew in volume, but revenue fell in March. According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country exported 210,000 tonnes of coffee in March 2026. While the volume increased by 12.6% in the first quarter, March revenue stood at US$956.2mn, reflecting a 6.4% drop in total value due to a 16.9% decrease in average export prices compared to the previous year. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Research

• Tue, 7 Apr – ArtemiLife’s anti-cancer coffee moves into Phase 2 clinical trials. The University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Centre is evaluating ArtemiCafe Decaf, which is infused with Artemisia annua, for prostate cancer therapy. CEO Adam Maust is also launching a blockchain platform to verify product origin and purity. (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 6 Apr – Le Paris Café Festival 2026 celebrates specialty coffee. The event returns to Le Carreau du Temple from 11 to 13 April, where it will host the 2026 French Coffee Championships and the Roast Masters competition. Attendees can engage with top roasters, attend workshops, and explore the latest innovations in brewing and sustainable technology. (Paris, France)

• Wed, 8 Apr – WoC Bangkok to be held from 7 to 9 May. The event will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The event hosts the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship alongside a specialised exhibition highlighting the region’s growing influence on the global supply chain. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Thu, 9 Apr – Glasgow Coffee Festival 2026 returns to The Briggait on 18 & 19 April. The event celebrates Scotland’s vibrant specialty coffee scene, bringing together independent roasters, baristas, and equipment brands. Attendees can enjoy unlimited tastings, professional workshops, and the latest sustainable brewing technologies. (Glasgow, UK)

• Fri, 10 Apr – Bialetti declares 21 April as International Moka Day. It coincides with World Creativity and Innovation Day and with the opening of Milan Design Week 2026. For this first edition, cafés and restaurants around the world, including New York’s Roscioli, will mark the occasion by serving coffee prepared exclusively with the moka pot. (Brescia, Italy)

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

• Wed, 1 Apr – Hartree Partners completes acquisition of Touton SAS. Following the 2025 purchase of Volcafe, the energy trader has finalised the takeover of the French specialist to expand its agricultural reach. The deal adds major cocoa and coffee volumes, while the firm retains its brand and leadership. (Bordeaux, France)

• Thu, 2 Apr – RTD coffee sector faces intense margin competition. As the market matures, brands pivot to premium specialty products to protect profits. Industry leaders and newcomers use functional ingredients and cold brew innovations to attract consumers despite rising costs and crowded retail shelves. (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US)

Photo credits: Global Coffee Awards, The Barista League

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