Coffee News Recap, 15 May: US retail coffee prices reach all-time high, Brazilian exports rise, but revenue falls by over 17% & other stories

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

Editor’s note

The average retail price of ground coffee in the US reached US$9.72/lb in April, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a 28.91% increase from April 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive all-time high for the indicator, which has been setting nominal records continuously since May 2024.

Multiple factors have driven the surge. Historically low harvests in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s two largest coffee producers, triggered panic buying as roasters rushed to cover their positions. Tariffs then compounded the pressure, forcing roasters to quickly raise prices to absorb steep import levies.

The effect on consumers in one of the world’s most important coffee-consuming markets is significant. Packaged whole bean and ground coffee cost nearly 21% more in August 2025 than a year earlier, the fastest monthly increase in nearly three decades. Café prices are climbing too, though operators are treading carefully, as at-home coffee consumption continues to increase.

There could be some relief before the year is out. Brazil is expecting a record harvest in 2026/27, and Colombia recently recorded its most productive coffee cycle in over three decades. Both factors could put downward pressure on the C price. That said, lower costs for roasters and importers will take time to reach supermarket shelves.

Top stories of the week

• Wed, 13 May – Indian coffee exports surge 27%. Exports totalled 174,000 tonnes during the first four months of 2026, driven primarily by higher shipments of robusta and instant coffee. India’s 2025/26 coffee production is also expected to reach 6.72 million bags. (Bengaluru, India)

Industry news

• Mon, 11 May – Westrock Coffee posts strong Q1 results. The company swung to an operating profit of US$3.2m from a US$13.1m loss, with the fully operational Conway facility driving growth. Net sales rose 44% to US$308.8m as adjusted EBITDA more than tripled to US$26m. (Conway, Arkansas, US)

• Wed, 13 May – Caribou Coffee expands executive team with four new leaders. Kristen Goldberg, Kyley Yanker, Soumil Deshmukh, and Mike Iannuzzelli join as VPs of brand marketing, real estate development, technology, and supply chain, respectively. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

Businesses for sale

New launch

• Mon, 11 May – Melitta launches CT8plus. The new fully automatic machine handles up to four coffee and milk options, featuring two milk systems and an optional low-pressure brew for filter-style coffee. (Minden, Germany)

• Fri, 15 May – Lincoln & York launches new RTD and concentrate products. The private label roaster’s new line includes RTD cans with customisable flavours, milks, and matcha, 3l coffee concentrate, and 500ml bottled coffee concentrate. Lincoln & York’s research shows that a staggering 93% of 25 to 34-year-old coffee drinkers now drink cold coffee, with 72% of this age bracket drinking it at least weekly. (Brigg, UK)

Milestone

Trade & production

Research

Events & competitions

• Wed, 13 May – SIGEP Meets the World officially launches in Chicago on 18 May. The networking event, created by Italian Exhibition Group, will promote SIGEP World, the international trade show dedicated to gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee, chocolate and pizza held every January in Rimini, as well as the US and Asia editions. The upcoming tour introduces an enhanced format designed for buyers, distributors, wholesalers, and more, and will include stops in eight cities across four continents. (Rimini, Italy)

• Thu, 14 May – Dualit showcases award-winning coffee machines at London Coffee Festival. Products on display at stand G11 include Dualit’s Pod Machine and coffee capsules, the Espressivo Pro Coffee Machine, Milk Frother Max, Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker and Hot Chocolate Sachets, Burr Coffee Grinder, EcoPress®, and Pour Over Kettle. Dualit is also hosting live demonstrations of the Pod Machine, Milk Frother Max, and Cino™ Milk Steamer. (London, UK)

• Fri, 15 May – Gems of Araku 2026 auction achieves top price of US$22.75/lb with 130 bids. Total turnover reached US$76,904.38, with an average price of US$9.83. Winners include Hopping Turtle Coffee, Taith Coffee, SAVAYA COFFEE LLC, Luce Avenue Coffee Roasters, Linea Coffee, Coffee Bean Supplies, and Araku Coffee. (Araku Valley, India)

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

Photo credits: Producer & Roaster Forum

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