Coffee News Recap, 8 May: EUDR set to include instant coffee, Honduras expected to produce over 6 million bags for 2026/27 harvest & other stories

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

Editor’s note

The EUDR has covered coffee in almost all its forms since the regulation was first proposed, but instant coffee was notably absent from its scope. This omission created a gap that companies could technically exploit: a business could source, process, and package instant coffee entirely outside Europe, then import the finished product into the EU without triggering deforestation checks.

The European Commission has now proposed to close the gap. Its latest draft delegated regulation proposes adding soluble coffee to the EUDR’s scope, arguing that leaving it out “creates a fragmented and incoherent approach for the coffee sector” and may result in the relocation rather than the elimination of deforestation risk.

The European Coffee Federation described the proposal as “an important step towards a more coherent and workable framework for the sector.” The draft is currently open for public feedback until 1 June 2026.

The timing is crucial. The regulation is scheduled to take effect on 30 December 2026 for larger companies, and 30 June 2027 for smaller ones. Businesses handling instant coffee now face the same due diligence requirements as those working with green and roasted coffee. For large multinationals, the compliance burden is likely to be significant.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 4 May – Backlash against WCC “Chinese Taipei” name change. On 28 April, following Bala’s WLAC win, the World Coffee Championships replaced all mentions of “Taiwan” with “Chinese Taipei” on its website, citing alignment with international sporting protocols. Members of the Taiwanese coffee community have rejected the decision, saying it erases Taiwan’s sovereignty and identity. (Taipei, Taiwan)

• Wed, 6 May – European Commission proposes to include soluble coffee in EUDR. According to the Commission, not including instant coffee within the legislation “creates a fragmented and incoherent approach for the coffee sector”. The draft legislation is open to public feedback until 1 June. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Wed, 6 May – Royal Cup completes acquisition of Farmer Brothers. The coffee and tea manufacturer and distributor purchased Farmer Brothers Coffee, a US roaster, wholesaler and distributor, for US$1.29 per share. Both companies share 250 years of combined industry experience. The combined firm will be led by Royal Cup CEO Chip Wann, following the exit of Farmer Brothers’ top executive team. (Fort Worth, Texas, US)

• Thu, 7 May – Vietnam’s coffee exports rise 15.8% in volume. Despite growth in export quantities in early 2026, total revenue declined due to price volatility. The country’s coffee sector faces ongoing pressure to balance production levels against fluctuations in global demand. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Thu, 7 May – Edgar Rivas is the 2026 Colombian Barista Champion. Rivas won the 20th edition of the national competition, with María Paulina Pulido in second place and Ronald in third. Rivas will represent Colombia in the 2026 World Barista Championship, to be held in Panama City from 23-25 October. (Bogotá, Colombia)

Industry news

• Mon, 4 May – Blue Tokai raises US$21m in Series D funding round. The Indian specialty coffee chain secured funding, led by Anicut Capital, to fuel its global expansion. Operating over 175 cafés, the firm reported a 50% year-on-year increase in revenue in the 2025 financial year. (Gurugram, India)

• Tue, 5 May – Best US cities for coffee dates ranked. As coffee shops remain one of the most popular destinations for first dates, Tawkify surveyed 1,000 single adults across the US and ranked venue data across 95 cities. New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle ranked in the top three. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Tue, 5 May – Löfbergs releases 2025 sustainability results. The Swedish roaster reported a 73% reduction in climate impact since 2005. Key achievements include supporting 112,000 smallholder farmers and converting 12,700 hectares to organic production. The firm also launched peat-free soil made from upcycled coffee waste. (Karlstad, Sweden)

• Fri, 8 May – Oval Coffee scales US distribution. The NYC roaster partnered with Whisha Specialty Coffee Distributors to expand its West Coast footprint. The deal brings Oval’s specialty coffee offerings to major retailers like Whole Foods and Target, starting in California. (New York City, New York, US)

New launch

• Mon, 4 May – Prima Coffee launches Kickstart mobile coffee cart. The integrated solution includes a water pump, power panel, sink kit, and pitcher rinser. Engineered for single-group espresso service, it aims to reduce buildout complexity for mobile business owners. (Louisville, Kentucky, US)

• Mon, 4 May – Buddy Brew to open ten cafés inside Sprouts stores. The initial rollout across four Florida counties is expected by July. The company-operated units will maintain the brand’s specialty coffee menu and expand its presence in the region. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Tue, 5 May – Acaia introduces Horizon for brewed coffee analysis. The new device uses advanced sensor technology to monitor extraction variables in real-time. Tracking flow rate and concentration during the brewing process provides precise data to help baristas and researchers analyse and refine flavour profiles. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Tue, 5 May – Caffe Ladro partners with Project Open Arms for trans+ resettlement. The initiative provides safety and relocation assistance to Two-Spirit, transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse, and gender-nonconforming (trans+) people and their families. For every Coffee for Good blend bag sold throughout May and June, US$3 will be donated to support resettlement efforts. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 6 May – Bulletproof debuts mushroom coffee. The brand launched “The Mood Booster”, a specialty blend with Lion’s Mane and Reishi. Aimed at the US$1bn functional category, it balances taste with cognitive benefits to redefine the market for health-conscious drinkers. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 6 May – Nescafé Espresso Concentrate hits Malaysia. Nestlé launched its liquid coffee innovation in the region, designed for easy home preparation of iced coffees. The concentrate allows consumers to customise drinks by adding milk or water, targeting the rising demand for convenience. (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia)

• Wed, 6 May – Flair Espresso debuts the eWizard steamer and 49 Pro manual espresso machine. The brand launched the eWizard, an electronic steamer providing precise temperature and pressure for milk, and the 49 Pro, a commercial-grade manual lever machine. (Rancho Santa Margarita, California, US)

• Thu, 7 May – Oatly debuts Barista Cold Foam. The high-stability and visual layering foam will launch first at Black Sheep Coffee on 13 May to address the booming demand for customisable cold specialty coffee. (London, UK)

Milestone

• Mon, 4 May – Sproud achieves record annual revenues. The Malmö company’s growth was driven by a strategic partnership with a European coffee chain, expansion into new markets, and increased brand recognition. (Malmö, Sweden)

• Wed, 6 May – Delta Cafés completes major €20m upgrade. The Portuguese coffee roaster is finishing a seven-year project to boost production capacity at its hub, aiming to become a top ten global coffee brand and unlock new export opportunities. (Portugal, Portugal)

Trade & production

• Mon, 4 May – Excessive rainfall threatens Indonesia’s coffee output. Heavy rains are projected to lower production for the second consecutive year, impacting harvest yields and quality. Farmers face significant challenges as climate volatility continues to disrupt the region’s coffee sector. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Tue, 5 May – Indonesian coffee exports plummet. Shipments of coffee, tea, and spices fell 54.7% year-on-year in March 2026, contributing to a 44.1% collapse in agricultural exports. The decline is linked to adverse weather and cooling global demand, though specialty coffee exports remain stable. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Research

Events & competitions

• Tue, 5 May – Cerrado Mineiro leaders conclude Europe immersion. From 27 April to 1 May, representatives from six cooperatives visited Italy and Spain to study regional branding. By observing South Tyrol and Rioja, the group aims to evolve from a production origin into a high-value specialty territory with global purpose. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Wed, 6 May – SIAL Shanghai set for 13-15 May. The event at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre will showcase global food and beverage innovations, catering solutions, and emerging market trends. (Shanghai, China)

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

• Wed, 29 Apr – Luckin Coffee announces US$300m share buyback. The coffee chain confirmed its first-ever repurchase programme, lasting one year, following a strong first-quarter 2026 performance with revenues reaching US$1.76bn and a global network of 33,596 stores. (Xiamen, China)

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