For paid subscribers: Donald Trump’s latest arbitrary tariff threat, this time against Brazil, has once again enveloped the coffee industry in chaos and uncertainty. When will it end?
The United States has long been at the centre of the global coffee industry. But as policies shift under the Trump administration, that dominance is under threat.
Another busy week of coffee news. Here's what happened:
Costa Rica's harvest is struggling due to a lack of migrant workers, a downstream impact of neighbouring Nicaragua's migration reforms. Because of this, combined with unseasonable rains in December, upwards of 15% of Costa Rican coffee remains unpicked.
Starbucks' new CEO is going all out to reinvigorate the ailing brand. They've tried comfier seating; a more streamlined menu; kicking you out if you don't buy anything; and now a move beloved of many struggling corporations: layoffs.
Paris is famous for its bistros and sidewalk cafes, but they're increasingly under threat—not only from international chains, but also specialty coffee shops. Some of the complaints are wonderfully French: “There’s no depth to the coffee shop, there’s no history, there’s no patina,” one bistro owner said.
And some coffeewashing news: World Coffee Research announced a $10 million funding commitment from some of the biggest coffee companies in the world. Sounds great, right? But, as WCR itself reported, there's a $452 million yearly funding gap in coffee research and development, and $10 million is... less than a drop in the ocean.
For more on all this news, plus a marketing cam—I mean, job posting from Chameleon Cold Brew, check out the full roundup over at Fresh Cup Magazine:
I'll be back on Friday with a new long-form newsletter, but until then it's goodbye from my sister's cat Maru, who is enjoying (?) playing with some string:
I'm the creator and writer of The Pourover. Based in Scotland, I have over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry as a barista, roaster, and writer. Ask me about coffeewashing.
Fionn Pooler
