Coffee News Recap, 17 Apr: Global Coffee Awards Africa set for June, Taiwan’s Bala is the 2026 World Latte Art Champion & other stories

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

Editor’s note

Coffee competition season is in full swing. The 2026 World Latte Art Championship took place at WoC San Diego last weekend. Over 30 competitors took part, with Taiwan’s Bala ultimately winning the title of World Latte Art Champion. Jacky Chang, representing Malaysia, and China’s Zking (Zhang Yuanyi) placed second and third, respectively.

It was also recently announced that the 2026 World AeroPress Championship will be held in December in Mexico City – home to exceptional cafés and roasteries. Exact dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

In two months, the Global Coffee Awards will host its Africa edition, inviting roasters of all sizes from across the continent to submit their best coffees. Historically not considered a major region for coffee consumption, key African markets are now emerging. Two-thirds of South African adults drink coffee every day, while Kenya’s local coffee consumption has more than doubled from 2016 to 2023.

The GCA Africa edition will spotlight just how dynamic the continent’s coffee market has become. In 2027, the winners will compete with roasters from the MENA region, Asia, the US & Canada, Europe, and Latin America in the GCA World Championship – culminating in one of the most anticipated competitions in the coffee industry.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 13 Apr – Taiwan’s Bala wins the 2026 World Latte Art Championship. He secured the 2026 title with 531 points. Bala’s winning designs featured a raccoon, a giraffe, and a red panda. He was followed by Malaysia’s Jacky Chang and China’s Zhang Yuanyi in second and third places, respectively. Brazil’s Eduardo Olímpio won the People’s Choice Award. (San Diego, California, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Coffee remains US’ favourite drink. The 2026 Spring NCDT report shows 66% of US adults drank coffee in the past day, maintaining its lead over all other beverages. Specialty coffee consumption reached a record 58% in popularity over the past week, driven by a surge in espresso-based drinks like lattes. The report also found that 85% of people now brew coffee at home, driven by remote work and rising café prices. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 15 Apr – India’s coffee exports hit by conflict in the Middle East. US-Israeli strikes and the Strait of Hormuz blockade have halted Indian coffee exports to the Middle East. Exporters could face as much as an 80% loss of the West Asia market in the coming months, says the president of the Coffee Exporters Association of India. (New Delhi, India)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Safras & Mercado projects record Brazilian coffee crop. The consultancy estimates the 2026/27 harvest at 75.65 million bags, driven by a positive biennial cycle. Simultaneously, IBGE revised its forecast upward to 65.1 million bags, citing record production for both arabica and canephora. (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Industry news

• Mon, 13 Apr – CQI reactivates Coffee Corps programme. Marking its 30th anniversary, the relaunch connects experienced industry professionals with producers to provide P2P education in sensory evaluation, processing, and trade. The announcement in San Diego also highlighted four new volunteer roles for a farmworker-focused pilot project in Latin America. (San Diego, California, US)

• Mon, 13 Apr – Austin named top US coffee city. Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards ranked Austin as the best coffee city in the US, citing its “most vibrant coffee scene”. The magazine praised the city’s creative concepts and local spots like Fleet Coffee, Flat Track, and the Desnudo trailer. (Austin, Texas, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Grind coffee partners with British Airways. The London-based brand will serve its coffee on flights and in global lounges. From next month, BA passengers will enjoy a bespoke Grind blend, further accelerating the roaster’s international expansion and brand visibility. (London, England)

• Tue, 14 Apr – 7 Brew lands US TV sponsorship deal. The Arkansas-based drive-thru chain has signed a prime-time sponsorship with American Idol to boost its household profile. This follows a successful collaboration with Dude Perfect and its rapid expansion across the US. (Fayetteville, Arkansas, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Circle K invests millions to upgrade coffee in the Baltics. The convenience giant is installing new premium machines across its 260 stores in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This investment aims to provide high-quality coffee at scale, catering to evolving consumer preferences. (Tallinn, Estonia)

• Wed, 15 Apr – Juan Valdez targets European growth. The Colombian brand is making strategic investments to deepen its presence in Europe, a priority international market. Approaching 675 stores across 19 countries, the group aims to build brand affinity and expand its footprint in the region. (Madrid, Spain)

• Wed, 15 Apr – Middle East crisis is driving up coffee prices, ICO report says. March saw the ICO composite price rise 2.4% to US$1.86/lb despite better supply prospects. Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea disrupted logistics, outweighing the bearish effect of a 5.8% increase in global coffee production for 2023/24. (London, UK)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Turkey’s home coffee machine market hits US$534mn. Driven by rising café prices, the sector now accounts for 14% of the country’s small household appliances market. Sales of fully automatic espresso machines tripled over three years as 45% of coffee is now consumed at home. (Istanbul, Turkey)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Starbucks tests AI drink recommendations. The chain launched a ChatGPT-based pilot that suggests beverages based on a user’s mood, weather, or outfit. Customers can start their customisation via the AI tool before completing orders on the official Starbucks app. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Wenbo Yang joins Podium Coffee Club as Featured Roaster. The 2026 US Coffee Roasting Champion will be the featured roaster during May. The subscription service will ship beans from Yang’s Cosy Monster roastery, showcasing the technical skill that earned him the national title. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Costa Coffee opens its first branch in Kyrgyzstan. The British chain launched a unit at Manas International Airport in Bishkek through its franchise partner, Goldinvest. This opening marks the brand’s official entry into the Kyrgyz market as it expands across Central Asia. (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Kopi Kenangan targets global growth in 2026. The Indonesian unicorn plans to open 500 new international outlets, with a focus on Southeast Asia and its recent entry into India. The chain aims to leverage its app-led model to scale operations outside its home market. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Jollibee’s Compose Coffee sees strong Taiwan debut. The South Korean chain drew large crowds at its first Taiwan store, selling one cup every 20 seconds during peak periods. Jollibee Foods Corp. plans to use insights from this launch to support the brand’s entry into the Philippines later in 2026. (Manila, Philippines)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Probat appoints new CEO for North American division. Ryan Dodd, who has more than 23 years of experience in mechanical engineering, succeeds Ellen Nielsen, who will continue as CFO North America. The leadership change follows the recent announcement of the consolidation of Probat’s US operations into a centralised site in Dallas, Texas. (Dallas, Texas, US)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Abu Dhabi firm buys stake in Joe & The Juice. A UAE-based private equity investor has acquired a minority stake in the coffee-and-juice chain from General Atlantic. The investment is set to accelerate the brand’s international expansion and enhance its digital platform. (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Businesses for sale

• Wed, 15 Apr – KDP secures 97.75% of JDE Peet’s. Keurig Dr Pepper now holds 474.5 million shares following the post-closing offer period. The total acquisition, valued at approximately US$18bn, triggers a mandatory buy-out as ownership exceeds 95%. Delisting is set for 30 April. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Odeko acquires Shirazi Distributing and enters Nashville. The supply chain tech partner for over 25,000 coffee shops expanded its presence in Boston by integrating the local distributor. Odeko also officially launched its organic operations in the Nashville market this quarter. (New York City, New York, US)

New launch

• Mon, 13 Apr – Cosori debuts Juni pour over system. The appliance brand entered the specialty coffee market with Juni, its first SCA-certified automatic pour over machine. Debuting at World of Coffee San Diego, it automates barista techniques to meet Golden Cup extraction standards. (San Diego, California, US)

• Mon, 13 Apr – 85°C Bakery Café to debut in Colorado. Known for its “sea salt coffee” and over 50 varieties of fresh-baked pastries, the Taiwanese “bakery of hotel-quality at affordable prices” has launched following its successful expansion in New York, Arizona, and Illinois. (Aurora, Colorado, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Nestlé and Starbucks launch Coffee Craft Concentrate. The new multi-serve liquid base allows consumers to customise cold coffee drinks at home by simply adding water or milk. Available in Signature Black and Caramel flavours, the range targets the rising demand for cold brew. (Vevey, Switzerland)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Kenangan Coffee opens first Taiwan outlet. To suit local tastes, the Indonesian chain introduced a Pistachio Macchiato alongside its signature menu, following successful soft-launch trials in the city. (Taipei, Taiwan)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Rio Miura debuts Soup Latte. Co-created with Kiyoe Nakazawa, the new savoury beverage category transforms flavours like Truffle Mushroom and Coconut Curry into latte-style drinks. Prepared with steamed milk, it offers a nutritious, café-ready meal in a cup. (San Diego, California, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – happy launches 48oz cold brew at Kroger. The brand, co-founded by Robert Downey Jr., has debuted its new “Ready-to-Enjoy” multiserve bottles in three flavours: Unsweetened Black, Caramel, and Vanilla. The line uses 100% arabica beans and is now available at Kroger stores nationwide. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 14 Apr – Air Canada opens new airport cafés. The airline has expanded its premium offering with new “Air Canada Café” locations at Montreal-Trudeau and Vancouver International airports. The cafés provide business class passengers with specialty coffees, snacks, and a quiet workspace. (Montreal, Canada)

• Wed, 15 Apr – Ceado launches Iron Candy burrs. Co-developed with Australian Barista Champion Hugh Kelly, the nano-coated 83mm K110 flat burrs enable higher extraction for a rounder body and enhanced sweetness. (Venice, Italy)

• Wed, 15 Apr – RAVE Coffee unveils new oat drink blend. Partnering with (Un)ordinary, the roaster created its first coffee specifically roasted to complement oat milk. The blend balances the sweetness of plant-based milks to meet the rising demand for dairy-free specialty coffee. (Cirencester, England)

• Wed, 15 Apr – New Orleans coffee history explored in new book by Marielle Songy. The author traces the city’s rise as a top coffee importer since the 1700s. The work highlights the impact of chicory, the role of enslaved coffee vendors, and the modern shift toward ethical specialty roasting. (New Orleans, Louisiana, US)

• Wed, 15 Apr – Death Wish Coffee launches new RTD latte. The brand expanded its RTD lineup with the new Caramel Cold Brew Latte. Made with 100% Fair Trade Colombian coffee and natural ingredients, the drink contains 120mg of caffeine and 65% less sugar than its leading competitors, according to Death Wish. (Saratoga Springs, New York, US)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Rare Breed Coffee debuts “Brain Waves” functional blend. The organic medium-dark roast includes L-theanine, cordyceps, citicoline, and L-tyrosine:to enhance focus without jitters, according to the brand. Launched on 10 April, it features zero-waste packaging in 100% recyclable cans. (Nashua, New Hampshire, US)

• Thu, 16 Apr – North Star Coffee Roasters to open two new Leeds sites. The B Corp-certified roaster will expand into Great George Street and Victoria Quarter in June 2026. Despite a sector slowdown, the investment introduces a takeaway kiosk and a heritage arcade café to the city centre. (Leeds, UK)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Rex Roaster debuts 4lb electric drum roaster. The Idaho-built machine features a simple, service-oriented stainless steel design for startups. Priced at US$6,000, the fully manual unit runs on standard 120V power. (Emmett, Idaho, US)

• Thu, 16 Apr – IKAPE launches pro-grade portable espresso machine. The KAPO K2 Pro features a commercial 58mm basket, Bluetooth app control, and a 13,500mAh battery. It can heat cold water to 93°C in two minutes using a ceramic thermal core, aiming to bring quality brewing to mobile users. (Shenzhen, China)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Mossgiel Organic Farm brings its “brewed” milk to London. The Ayrshire dairy secured a deal with Modern Milkman to supply non-homogenised, “low and slow” pasteurised milk. Already used in 250 Scottish cafés, the glass-bottled milk is priced at £2.80 per litre. (London, Greater London, UK)

• Fri, 17 Apr – De’Longhi launches PrimaDonna Aromatic espresso machine. The super-automatic model features “Bean Adapt” technology that automatically adjusts the grind and heat. It offers 38 recipes, including cold brew in under three minutes, and is priced at US$2,499.95. (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Cooxupé launches coffee carbon credit project. The world’s largest coffee cooperative introduced an initiative to monetise environmental preservation. By measuring carbon sequestration on farms, the project offers members a new revenue stream and promotes sustainable land management. (Guaxupé, Brazil)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Drink Hippie launches functional coffee at Target. The brand debuted its adaptogen-enriched coffee concentrates in national retail. Meanwhile, Natalie’s Juice Co. scaled its distribution with Costco, marking a significant expansion for premium beverage brands in US retail. (New York City, New York, US)

Trade & production

• Wed, 15 Apr – Brazil’s coffee exports fell 7.8% in March. According to Trade Ministry data released by Datagro, shipments fell to 151,000 tonnes from the same month last year. The decline reflects tighter arabica stocks and lower competitiveness ahead of the 2026/27 harvest. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Japan expands coffee cultivation to northern regions. Amid concerns about climate change, farms in Yamagata, Fukushima, and Hokkaido are experimenting with greenhouse cultivation. Projects like Bankoku Coffee are successfully harvesting beans in colder climates to counter the predicted global decline in suitable arabica land. (Yamagata, Japan)

Research

• Thu, 16 Apr – Coffee sector lags in deforestation action. The 2026 Forest 500 report reveals that only 5% of companies reported that over half their coffee is deforestation-free, despite a rise in public commitments to 47%. While Nestlé emerged as a leader, many major roasters remain in the “late majority”. (Oxford, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 13 Apr – Winners announced for the 2026 Best New Product, Coffee Design, and Sustainability Awards. The winners were announced at WoC San Diego, which attracted over 15,000 visitors across the three days:
  • Coffee Design Awards: Rikka Fika for Packaging, Slow by Slow Coffee for Spaces, and Monogram Coffee for Branding.
  • Best New Product: Satellite Coffee Guard by Squeaky for Coffee Accessories & People’s Choice, VS4 by Varia for Consumer Coffee Preparation & Serving, OnePress Mobile Café System by Solrisen for Commercial Coffee Preparation & Serving, APAX LAB KONFLUX by Slow Pour Supply for Specialty Coffee Consumables, and Precision Fill Mini v2 by Sovda for Open Class.
  • Sustainabilty Awards: Coffee Circle for For Profit and Bean Voyage for Non-Profit.

• Wed, 15 Apr – World of Coffee Bangkok highlights growth. The third edition of WoC Asia reflects Thailand’s booming specialty coffee sector. The event will host the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship, alongside features such as the Roaster Village, cupping rooms, and lectures. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Glasgow Coffee Festival to begin on 18 April. The 12th edition will return to the Briggait, expanding for the first time into the newly-opened neighbouring Clydeside Halls. The 2026 festival will feature national exhibitors, talks, workshops, coffee tastings, and the 2026 UK Brewers Cup Championship. (Glasgow, UK)

• Thu, 16 Apr – Amsterdam Coffee Festival begins. The ninth edition of the festival runs until 18 April at NDSM-Loods. The programme features the Roast Masters and Latte Art Live competitions, educational sessions at the Coffee School, and hands-on workshops at the Brew Lab. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

• Fri, 17 Apr – Franke’s Mytico debuts at the Czech Latte Art Championship. The fully automatic machine was used alongside traditional equipment in the 2026 competition. Winner Kamila Zicháčková demonstrated how automatic systems can stabilise extraction and milk texture while allowing for barista creativity. (Liberec, Czech Republic)

• Fri, 17 Apr – The Barista League heads to Latin America. The high-energy barista competition has announced its upcoming stop in Mexico City on 6 May, featuring three rounds of fast-paced challenges designed to test skills in a party-like atmosphere. (Mexico City, Mexico)

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

• Thu, 2 Apr – Coffee waste could be used to create biodegradable insulation. Researchers developed a high-performance material by converting spent coffee grounds into porous biochar. The resulting composite performs as well as commercial polystyrene but is fully sustainable and eco-friendly. (Shenyang, Liaoning, China)

• Tue, 7 Apr – Acumen invests in Mountain Harvest to support Ugandan coffee. The investment aims to boost incomes for 2,600 smallholder farmers by 2028 through organic arabica processing. Funds will finance a new climate-controlled warehouse and dry mill to enhance quality and climate resilience. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Thu, 9 Apr – Beans & Brews reports record growth. The US coffee franchise opened seven new sites in the first 100 days of 2026, its strongest ever development period. Expansion into Colorado, Nevada, and Texas is part of a plan to open a record 25 new locations this year. (Salt Lake City, Utah, US)

• Thu, 9 Apr – Global coffee exports rise 4.5%. World exports reached 56.19 million bags during the first five months of the 2025/26 coffee year (October to February). The growth was primarily driven by strong robusta shipments and significant export performance from Brazil and Ethiopia. (London, UK)

Photo credits: Global Coffee Awards, Specialty Coffee Association, Husky Events, Cosori, Producer Roaster Forum

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