Coffee Intelligence

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For many, turning a love of coffee into a sustainable career proves challenging. Skilled #baristas are leaving #specialtycoffee for better-paying jobs in sectors like luxury fashion. Luxury brands offer baristas up to €40,000 annually – double what specialty coffee shops pay. Michaela Tomchek speaks with Rebecca CHARLES, a luxury fashion industry recruiter, and Mihaela Iordache, Head Roaster at Belleville Brûlerie, about how specialty coffee faces quality challenges as automation rises to fill the talent gap, and talent leaves for more lucrative sectors. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYEZ2iPG

Italy’s beloved #espresso, a cultural icon served at bars across the country for as little as €1, is poised to undergo a radical transformation. Espresso prices in #Italy could jump 66%, reaching €2 – double the iconic €1 tradition. Global coffee prices have soared as Arabica just hit $3 per pound, driven by climate disruptions. Sarah Charles speaks with Bianca Maria Maschio, Coffee Consultant, and Professor Jonathan Morris (University of Hertfordshire) about how Italy’s beloved #coffeeculture faces a reckoning as the €1 espresso era fades. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gbR2Fc5G

Adding natural or artificial flavours during processing allows producers to create bold, exotic profiles that appeal to a broader consumer base. Infused coffees have divided the #specialtycoffee sector. In Colombia, producers and roasters are quietly introducing infused coffees to meet shifting consumer tastes. Jordan Montgomery speaks with Abraham Castro Vindas (Ally Coffee) about whether #innovation and tradition can coexist, and how this will shape the segment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcqBbtNZ

Supermarkets worldwide are leveraging the powerful imagery and narratives of small #farmers to tap into consumers' increasing appetite for local and small-scale produce. “#Farmwashing” exposes these practices. In #specialtycoffee, some also profit from farmer stories while underpaying producers. Young consumers aren’t impressed – 80% of them rethink purchases after negative social media buzz. Kosta Kallivrousis speaks with Dr. Janina Grabs and Paulo Vischi (Be Consulting) about how farmwashing applies to the coffee sector. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezuBfZ5s

Some insights from today’s Coffee Intelligence coverage: ● Rising coffee prices are challenging the industry's quality standards. With US import costs up 65% between 2021 and 2023, producers can now sell lower quality lots at higher prices. ● Is authenticity the next USP for coffee? In an increasingly digital world, consumers are now drawn to products with genuine stories behind them, with “authenticity” named the word of the year for 2023. ● Are high coffee prices becoming the norm? With arabica prices peaking at $2.75 and no sign of less volatility, the coffee industry may have a new reality to adjust to.

The UK coffee market is becoming a tricky one, tough for #specialtycoffee shop #chains, and major players are redefining their strategies to capture consumer interest in high-traffic areas. Nero Group’s acquisition spree includes recent purchases of 200 Degrees and FCB Coffee. Now with 790 UK stores and over 1,100 worldwide, Nero Group is expanding fast. Sarah Charles speaks with Tim Ridley, Founder of United Baristas, and Darleen Scherer, Founder of Black Sheep, about how specialty coffee chains are struggling across the UK, making investment and acquisitions the path to survival. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCWPqK5h

When buying products, #consumers are often driven by the desire for a specific feeling, the fulfilment of a dream, or a memorable #experience. Ceremonial #cacao is booming in the US, sold as a mystical, ritual experience – though many claims remain unverified. Consumer trust is dropping fast: only 50% of US consumers trust brands, with even lower trust among Gen Z. Michaela Tomchek speaks with Spencer M. Ross about the risks and opportunities of aspirational marketing. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3RFPrUY