Join us for our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
How Will U.S. Tariffs Impact Coffee? Cafe Imports Explains
Cafe Imports created a series of slides explaining how the U.S. tariffs will impact coffee professionals, and how to best navigate them. They share that green and roasted coffee will be 10% to 35% more expensive, and industry members can respond by writing to representatives, collaborating with fellow coffee professionals, and preparing their customers and partners for further price increases.
Smithsonian Magazine Discusses Rare Coffee Species, Stenophylla, as Alternative to Arabica and Robusta
In Smithsonian Magazine, an article by Marta Zaraska discusses the emergence of stenophylla: a rare species of coffee that is resistant to drought and heat—increasingly valuable traits as global temperatures continue to rise. The feature discusses stenophylla as a potential alternative to arabica and robusta, as coffee farmers around the globe continue to search for solutions to climate change.
Black & White Coffee Roasters Joins FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective
Raleigh, N.C.’s Black & White Coffee Roasters has joined Kansas City, Mo.’s FairWave: a collective of specialty-coffee brands operating together to drive quality coffee within communities. “This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for Black & White,“ says Kyle Ramage, co-founder of Black & White Coffee Roasters. “It’s a natural progression that will allow us to build upon our existing foundation and reach new heights.“
Kyle will continue to lead Black & White Coffee Roasters, while co-founder and fellow former U.S. Barista Champion Lem Butler will move on. “I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built at Black & White,“ Lem says. “We’ve created a unique and accessible elite coffee experience, and I’m confident that this partnership will ensure our team’s continued success.“
Ground Control Brewer Manufacturer, Voga Coffee, Shuts Down
Oakland, Calif.’s Voga Coffee, maker of Ground Control brewing machines, has ceased operations, laying off 18 full-time staff members.
Specialty Coffee Association Releases 2025 Edition of Equitable Value Distribution Survey
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has launched the 2025 edition of its Equitable Value Distribution Survey, with the intention of gathering insight on how value is distributed in the coffee sector. Individuals and organizations in the specialty-coffee industry are invited to share their responses until July; click here to partake in the survey.
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Thanks for the insightful overview of the coffee industry trends! The challenge of rising tariffs seems daunting. Do you think collaborating with international partners could help stabilize prices for everyone? Also, it’s fascinating to hear about the stenophylla as a possible alternative to traditional coffee species.
By the way, for those traveling and curious about coffee prices globally, there’s this site https://world-prices.com. Not entirely sure how reliable it is, but it might give a broad idea.