Coffee News Recap, 27 Feb: Supreme Court tariff ruling means potential refunds for US importers & roasters, Ethiopia seeks UNESCO status for coffee ceremonies & other stories

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

Editor’s note

US tariffs sent the coffee industry into a frenzy last year, reshaping longstanding global trade dynamics overnight. Although most coffee products were exempted from import levies in November, many US roasters and importers have yet to feel relief.

Now, the Supreme Court has ruled the tariffs illegal. Last week, it stated that the Trump administration overstepped its constitutional authority by bypassing Congress and inappropriately using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose them. The Trump administration may now be accountable for refunding US$134 billion (and counting) in tariff revenue.

For US roasters and importers who were forced to raise their retail prices last year to cover additional costs, the possibility of a refund offers consolation. Some larger businesses reported paying over U$90,000 in tariff duties on shipments over 200,000 lbs, underscoring the significant financial strain they faced.

The We Pay The Tariffs coalition has issued a statement demanding Congress deliver “full, fast, and automatic” tariff refunds. House and Senate Democrats have also introduced legislation that would compel the Trump administration to reimburse US businesses impacted by tariffs.

But realistically, the odds of receiving a refund are slim. Both the Trump administration and the Supreme Court have given little clarity on how they would be processed, with Trump telling reporters it could take up to five years.

For now, as with most things tariff-related, there’s a lot of uncertainty.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 23 Feb – Caffè Nero confirms acquisition of Compass Coffee and outlines US strategy. After an initial stalking-horse bid of US$2.9m, Caffè Nero North America placed the winning bid of US$4.75m, which secures US assets and leases, including the flagship D.C. roastery. Caffè Nero intends to keep existing cafés operating under the current Compass Coffee branding. (Washington, DC, US)

• Mon, 23 Feb – Nairobi Coffee Exchange to raise auction fees. NCE plans to increase revenue from auction fees by 20% annually by 2030, and to charge annual membership fees, auction commissions, and other services. This revenue diversification strategy is expected to help NCE raise its non-auction revenue to 40% of total income by 2030. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Tue, 24 Feb – Ethiopia advances UNESCO heritage bid for its traditional coffee ceremony. At Ethiopian Coffee Culture Day in Addis Ababa, officials and industry stakeholders promoted nominating the centuries-old ritual for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list to boost origin identity, tourism appeal, and trade positioning for Ethiopian coffee. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Rabobank predicts record global coffee production in 2026/27. The bank’s latest report estimates 2026/27 global coffee production at an all-time high of 180 million 60kg bags, driven by a predicted bumper crop in Brazil. Optimistic production prospects, combined with the gradual replenishment of ICE arabica stocks, are behind the sharp price drop seen in recent weeks, but Rabobank says a short-term upward correction can’t be ruled out. (Utrecht, Netherlands)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Luckin Coffee reports 43% total net revenue increase for 2025. The Chinese coffee chain has scaled rapidly in both domestic and international markets, opening 8,708 locations in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and the US. This brings its total global store count to 31,048. (Beijing, China)

Industry news

• Mon, 23 Feb – Korean cafés reshape Los Angeles coffee scene. Expansion of Korean-owned cafés blends Korean flavours and hospitality, turning cafés into neighbourhood hubs that pair dessert-forward menus with design-led interiors. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Mon, 23 Feb – Paradox Coffee Roasters to close Surfers Paradise café after ten years. The specialty roaster said it will shut its long-running Surfers Paradise location later this year as part of strategic changes, while continuing wholesale and roasting operations in other markets and focusing on growth outside its flagship site. (Surfers Paradise, Australia)

• Tue, 24 Feb – Kalve Coffee begins pan-European expansion. Following a US$1.2m IPO, the Latvian specialty group is scaling into Western Europe, targeting France and Portugal. The strategy focuses on maintaining profitability as it grows beyond its established Baltic markets in Estonia and Lithuania (Riga, Latvia)

• Tue, 24 Feb – National Coffee Association announces 2026 award winners. The late Pedro Lázaro Gaviña received the Distinguished Leadership Award. Other honourees include Nora Johnson for the Rising Star Award and Thomas J. Hartley as Volunteer of the Year for his work on combating coffee theft. The winners will be recognised at the NCA Convention from 12 to 14 March. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Wed, 25 Feb – JDE Peet’s links €1.6bn cost rise to record green coffee prices. Spending on green coffee, tea, and raw materials rose about 27%, while organic sales grew 15.3% despite a 4.3% decline in volume. The company plans productivity measures, divestitures, and plant closures as it pursues €500m in cost savings and integration with Keurig Dr Pepper. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

• Wed, 25 Feb – La Colombe plans US$479m investment in facility expansion. The two-phase project will add 52,844 sq ft in phase one, invest US$347m in equipment, create about 100 jobs, and boost capacity for ready-to-drink lattes and cold brew for national and international distribution. (Norton Shores, Michigan, US)

• Wed, 25 Feb – California coffee community mourns James Marcotte. The co-founder of J&S Coffee passed away at 63. Known for his technical expertise and mentorship, he left a lasting impact on the regional specialty industry through his dedication to roasting and equipment maintenance. (Healdsburg, California, US)

• Thu, 26 Feb – Dutch Bros Foundation donate over US$1.1m to fight food insecurity. The annual Dutch Luv campaign mobilised customers across 14 states to support local food banks. This initiative provides approximately 3.3 million meals to families in need within the communities where the brand operates. (Grants Pass, Oregon, US)

• Thu, 26 Feb – The J.M. Smucker Co. appoints new independent directors. Bruce Chung (current CFO of NRG Energy) and David Singer (former CEO of Snyder’s‑Lance) will join the board on 15 April 2026, bringing the board to 11 directors, with ten independents. (Orrville, Ohio, US)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Hanks for Our Troops widens national retail reach. The Tom Hanks-founded brand will roll out to nearly 1,700 Walmart stores in the US, selling medium- and dark-roast ground coffee and single-serve pods. All net proceeds will fund veterans’ charities, including the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Hire Heroes USA. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Lardera opens 80,000 sq ft production hub. The company brings roasting in-house using a 60kg IMF roaster, a 20-tonne silo, and automated Effytec packaging, enabling retail and wholesale scale, with premium coffee concentrate products planned. (East Rutherford, New Jersey, US)

• Fri, 27 Feb – ICO launches global equity and climate campaign. The new International Coffee Organisation initiative will spotlight coffee’s contribution to sustainable development, partner with governments and the private sector to improve smallholder resilience, promote climate adaptation, and encourage investment in rural economies. (London, UK)

New launch

• Mon, 23 Feb – Vietnamese chain GA.RA opens in Berkeley. GA.RA will open a US location offering Vietnamese-style and specialty coffee, aiming to broaden exposure to Vietnamese coffee culture and attract specialty consumers and university communities. (Berkeley, California, US)

• Tue, 24 Feb – Juan Valdez opens permanent flagship café in Miami. The Colombian coffee brand inaugurated a large flagship store with a café, roastery, and retail space to showcase its origins, brewing methods, and coffee offerings, while aiming to grow awareness of Colombian specialty coffee among local consumers and visitors. (Miami, Florida, US)

• Wed, 25 Feb – AeroPress Steel launched in two colours. The double-wall, vacuum-insulated 304 stainless-steel design offers thermal stability and a 20% larger capacity, and includes a stainless-steel scoop and stirrer. (Palo Alto, California, US)

• Thu, 26 Feb – Thai chain Nana Coffee Roasters to debut in London. The award-winning brand will open its first UK flagship in South Kensington this March. The expansion marks a major milestone for Thailand’s coffee culture as it introduces premium coffee drinks and unique recipes to the British market. (London, UK)

Milestone

• Tue, 24 Feb – Julius Meinl hits 100% of coffee sourced responsibly. The Vienna roaster says all green coffee for its Vienna and Vicenza plants now meets the Global Coffee Platform’s sustainability criteria under its Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, reflecting long-term supplier partnerships and plans to extend the standard across all branded products by 2028. (Vienna, Austria)

Trade & production

• Mon, 23 Feb – Indonesian coffee exporters gain tariff exemption in US trade deal. Exporters expect the removal of import duties to ease shipments, lower landed costs for US buyers, and boost the availability of Indonesian-origin products to roasters and retailers. Benefits hinge on customs procedures, shipping costs, and buyer demand. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Tue, 24 Feb – Philippines to create a dedicated coffee industry office. The government announced plans to establish a national coffee industry authority to coordinate research, improve farm productivity, strengthen value chains, and boost exports amid rising domestic demand and chronic yield challenges. (Manila, Philippines)

• Thu, 26 Feb – February weather in Brazil favours the 2026/27 coffee harvest. Recent rainfall and mild temperatures have improved crop conditions in key Brazilian regions. Experts from Cepea note that these climate factors are crucial for the development of coffee cherries and the overall health of the plantations. (Piracicaba, Brazil)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Congestion at Mombasa port delays East African coffee shipments. Berth shortages and customs backlogs have left exporters facing extended demurrage, container shortages, and postponed auctions. Traders expect short-term shipment bottlenecks and higher logistics costs, affecting the availability of East African origins. (Mombasa, Kenya)

• Fri, 27 Feb – Saudi specialty cafés drive investment in origin. Government support and a specialty café boom are boosting cultivation in Jazan, and investment is being driven by the Saudi Coffee Company, which has planted over 600,000 trees. Market value is estimated at US$1.3-1.9bn with over 5,350 outlets forecast by 2027. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 23 Feb – Nordic Coffee Fest returns to Gothenburg on 28 Feb & 1 Mar. The largest cross-Nordic coffee event returns with workshops, tastings, talks, cuppings, competitions, and a global roasters showcase, bringing together specialty roasters, baristas, and enthusiasts at Bananpiren. (Gothenburg, Sweden)

• Wed, 25 Feb – COFFeEAST to stage Eastern European coffee festival in March. The three-day event will run from 20 to 22 March, featuring workshops, cuppings, the GreatEast Cup competition, live tastings, and more than 150 roasters and exhibitors, aiming to showcase regional specialty coffee and strengthen sourcing and business ties. (Bucharest, Romania)

• Thu, 26 Feb – World Tea Expo 2026 set for Las Vegas. The tea trade show will bring global brands, suppliers, and retailers together for exhibits, education sessions, tastings, and business networking, covering tea trends, sustainability, and innovation. (Las Vegas, Nevada, US)

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

• Thu, 19 Feb – Costa Coffee raises barista pay across UK stores. A £7m investment will raise hourly pay from £12.60 to £13.12 for more than 16,000 staff from 1 April, with senior baristas and a central London £1 premium also increased. (London, UK)

Photo credits: AeroPress, Nordic Coffee Fest

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