Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week.
Editor’s note
Starbucks is reportedly weighing a stake sale or an IPO for its Japan business, according to Bloomberg, with early-stage conversations with investment banks already underway as the company maps out its options.
Potential buyers, including private equity firms and strategic players, could be drawn to a deal valued at roughly 400-500 billion yen, or US$2.5bn-US$3.1bn. With around 2,100 stores, Japan ranks among Starbucks’ most significant international markets, so any decision carries weight.
This fits a wider pattern across the coffee industry. Owning and running thousands of stores abroad ties up capital and concentrates currency risk, and Starbucks already applied similar logic when it brought in local partners for its China operations. If Japan follows the same path, expect rivals with sprawling overseas footprints to face renewed pressure from shareholders who question why they’re still bearing full operational risk in mature, competitive markets.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed an “ultrasonic espresso” method that uses room-temperature water and sound waves instead of heat and pressure. Francisco Trujillo, who led the work, says it produces the same richness and concentration of a normal espresso in under three minutes. A blind taste test with 100 regular drinkers found they couldn’t tell the difference from a normal espresso.
Although the process cuts energy use by 75%, it takes roughly six times as long as an espresso machine, meaning it won’t find its place in cafés anytime soon.
Top stories of the week
- Thu, 11 Jun – Starbucks weighs Japan unit stake sale or IPO. Talks are preliminary; no decision has been made. A stake could be worth US$2.5bn-$3bn. Japan has about 2,100 stores, most of which are company-operated. CEO Niccol recently called the results “outstanding”. (Seattle, Washington, US)
- Fri, 12 Jun – Coffee Barometer 2026 exposes systemic flaws in coffee pricing. The report finds 10% of retail costs are subsidised by unpaid farm labour. Findings also conclude that major roasters and traders greenwash and substitute process descriptions for outcome data. No audited company discloses pricing structures or premiums paid, and none have committed to paying farmers a living income, even though this is set to become a legal obligation for large companies operating in the EU from 2029. (Utrecht, Netherlands)
Industry news
New launch
- . The ocean‑blue facility also operates Florida Canning for beverage brands. Its Cup of Kindness programme has donated nearly $20,000 to local charities since 2018. (Lake Park, Florida, US)
- Thu, 11 Jun – SEB Professional launches La San Marco LA 125 espresso machine. The global move brings over a century of Italian craftsmanship into the group’s portfolio. The manual machine offers ±0.1°C thermal stability and is priced as the most competitive multi-boiler in its category. (Verdello, Italy)
Milestone
- Fri, 12 Jun – Julius Meinl hits 2025 sustainability targets. The roaster achieved 100% Responsibly Selected coffee, expanded its Generations Programme to four countries, used 81% renewable electricity globally, and cut emissions per roast batch by 50%. (Vienna, Austria)
Trade & production
- Tue, 9 Jun – South Africa lifts duties on Kenyan coffee, tea, and spices. Tariffs suspended in November 2025 were removed during President Ramaphosa’s state visit, restoring SACU market access. South Africa imported US$5.8m worth of coffee, tea, and spices from Kenya in 2025. (Johannesburg, South Africa)
- Tue, 9 Jun – Brazil and Panama agree to expand fertiliser logistics. A mission from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture also opened the Panamanian market to Brazilian coffee and coconut seeds. The partnership involves a transhipment hub at the port of Cristóbal and aims to cut costs and diversify supply routes. (Panama City, Panama)
- Wed, 10 Jun – China imported 364,650 bags of coffee in April. Green coffee purchases rose while soluble coffee fell. Total volume reached 364,650 60kg bags. The average price dropped 17.7% year‑on‑year to US$344.42 per bag. (Beijing, China)
Research
Events & competitions
- Fri, 12 Jun – CoffeeFest Madrid 2027 expands into cocoa, tea, and bakery areas. Now in its fifth edition, the event runs 6‑8 March, aiming to connect producers, chocolatiers, and bakeries with coffee shops, restaurant chains, and distributors. (Madrid, Spain)
Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:
- Thu, 28 May – ACE suspends 2026 Taiwan CoE. The decision comes due to governance concerns and follows five demands for suspension since January, ACE says. Organiser Taiwan Coffee Lab is creating an independent competition. (Seattle, Washington, US)
Photo credits: The Barista League
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