The new coffee harvest season in Brazil is accelerating, with both Robusta and Arabica harvest progress outpacing last year's same period, promising to ease the tight global supply situation. Influenced by factors such as reduced production in Vietnam and the Red Sea crisis driving up logistics costs, market demand for Brazilian coffee has surged, and Cecafé expects exports for the 2023/24 season to reach 46.3 million bags, setting a new historical record. Meanwhile, frost warnings are prompting coffee farmers to rush their harvest, and multiple countries are also accelerating shipments before the EU's deforestation regulation takes effect. The price trend for coffee beans is full of uncertainties and deserves close attention from coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Brazil is in the middle of its coffee harvest season, with 58% of the crop now gathered, ahead of the five-year average. However, although the hot, dry weather has favored picking, it has had a clear negative impact on coffee output: beans are smaller and yields are falling, and drought alerts have been issued in many areas. Production falling short of expectations has driven coffee prices steadily higher both in Brazil and abroad, with robusta and arabica futures posting sharp gains. The market is also worried that the coming La Niña phenomenon could deal a further blow to 2025/26 output. This article reviews the drought conditions in Brazil's various producing regions, the downward revisions to production, and price trends, and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Brazil's new coffee crop harvest is progressing faster than in previous years, and the dry weather is both beneficial for processing and a cause for concern. However, sales progress is noticeably lagging, ports remain congested, and the government's earlier proposed changes to PIS/Cofins tax rules have further weighed on exports and farmers' willingness to sell. At the same time, the sharp appreciation of the US dollar against the real has brought inflationary pressure. The good news is that Brazil's Congress recently rejected the tax measure, allowing coffee and other agricultural products to continue enjoying tax benefits, and the slowdown in sales is expected to improve. This article will review the latest developments in harvesting, sales, ports, and policy, and include relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The latest report from Brazilian consultancy Safras shows that as of December 11, 79% of Brazil's 2024/25 coffee crop had been sold, but pre-sales for the 2025/26 crop stood at only 12%, far below the same period in previous years. Hit by drought, forest fires and irregular rainfall, growers are deeply worried about the next season and are holding back on selling. Combined with a plunge of more than 20% in the Brazilian real, domestic Brazilian coffee spot prices have broken the highest record in 26 years. Several institutions warn that international coffee prices will remain high until production becomes clear. To learn more origin news, scan the QR code to follow Coffee Review. [more…]

Indonesia has recently been hit by prolonged severe weather, with landslides and floods triggered by heavy rainfall having caused dozens of casualties, and multiple provinces entering a disaster alert status. This natural disaster not only threatens the safety of local residents but also affects the country's coffee industry—major growing regions such as Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua are coinciding with the harvest season, and torrential rain will hinder harvest progress and cause cherries to drop, with output expected to decline. Combined with factors such as the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah and reduced coffee production in Vietnam, international robusta prices are expected to remain high in the short term. [more…]

The hot and humid climate brought by El Niño created conditions for mosquito breeding, leading to severe dengue fever outbreaks in multiple countries across the Americas. Among them, Brazil's confirmed cases exceeded 3.5 million, with 1,544 deaths, both hitting the highest records since 2000. Hospital admissions surged, with the average dengue fever admission rate at São Paulo's municipal hospitals reaching 90%. At the same time, Brazil entered the early stage of harvesting the new Robusta coffee season, and a large number of workers were absent due to illness, significantly slowing down the harvest progress. The Port of Santos had long been plagued by ship delays due to aging facilities, outdated management, and insufficient manpower, and the epidemic further worsened congestion. In March, the coffee ship delay rate rose to 80%, reaching 81% at the Port of Rio de Janeiro and 59% at the Port of Vitória. In Asia, Indonesia also experienced a dengue fever outbreak, with over 60,000 confirmed cases and 475 deaths, about three times that of the same period last year. Front Street Coffee reminds you to pay attention to origin updates and travel safety. [more…]

Recently, Brazil's coffee-growing regions have continued to be affected by El Niño weather patterns. Although dry conditions have accelerated the harvest pace—by June 25, half of the coffee crop had been harvested, ahead of the five-year average for the same period—actual output has fallen short of market expectations, with issues such as smaller beans and uneven ripening gradually emerging. At the same time, Robusta production may drop by 8% to 14%, and combined with tighter supply caused by drought in Vietnam, international Robusta futures prices have firmly held above $4,000 per ton, while the spot index has also risen by more than 4% month-on-month. An impending strong cold wave adds further uncertainty to the production outlook, and several institutions have downgraded their forecast for Brazil's total output from 68.5 million bags to 67 million bags. [more…]

Brazil's 2024/25 coffee harvest is imminent, but sales progress is notably lagging behind previous years. Data from consultancy Safras&Mercado shows that as of March 12, only 11% of the new crop had been sold, far below the historical average of 25% for the same period. Among this, Arabica sold 14% (historical 30%), and Robusta only 6% (historical 15%). The slow sales are mainly due to high Robusta prices suppressing trader purchases, the spread between forward and spot prices prompting farmers to hold back sales, and the potential arrival of La Niña after El Niño ends, which could bring reduced rainfall and frost threats to the coffee-growing regions in the southeast. Meanwhile, reduced production in Vietnam and Indonesia is driving strong exports of Brazilian Robusta. [more…]

Since October, Panama has entered its rainy season, but this year, under the influence of Tropical Storm Rafael, torrential rain and strong winds have been unusually severe, triggering multiple landslides and floods, with Chiriquí Province and other areas hit hard. Boquete, the core production area for Panama's specialty coffee, has not been spared either, with roads damaged, water supplies cut off, and coffee transportation blocked. Even more concerning is that the coffee harvest season is approaching in December, and continued heavy rain could damage coffee trees that are currently bearing fruit, further affecting quality and yield. This article will review the progress of the disaster and its potential impact on the coffee industry. [more…]

The latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture shows that Indonesia's total coffee production for 2024/25 is expected to increase by about 2.4 million bags (60 kg/bag) compared with the previous year, but the overall recovery remains below expectations, with production revised down by 8% year on year. Affected by strong domestic demand, the volume available for export is expected to fall by 12% to 5.2 million bags, though this is still 18% higher than exports in 2023/24. Recovery has been slow in the Robusta-producing areas of southern Sumatra, while the Arabica-producing areas of northern Lintong have suffered heavy rainfall and secondary disasters. Domestic purchasing power is weak, and consumption growth is less than 1%. The European Union had increased purchasing because of the EUDR regulations, but later postponed implementation for one year. Production in Vietnam and Brazil is unstable, and coffee prices remain high. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor developments in producing regions. [more…]

In the early hours of July 30, a large-scale landslide was triggered by continuous heavy rainfall in the Wayanad region of Kerala in southwestern India. According to the latest figures, 358 people have died, with many more injured and missing. This region is not only a severely affected mountainous area but also one of India's important coffee-producing regions, primarily growing Robusta. The disaster and subsequent heavy rainfall are likely to have a severe impact on India's coffee production in the new season. Meanwhile, India's coffee export data for the first half of 2024 has performed strongly, and international coffee prices are expected to remain high until the end of the year. This article will review the progress of the disaster, the difficulties in rescue efforts, and its potential impact on India's coffee industry. [more…]

In the African coffee landscape, Burundi has long been known as the "Heart of Africa." This landlocked country south of the equator, with its high altitudes, volcanic-rich soil, and abundant rainfall, produces coffee beans of remarkable quality. This article begins with Burundi's geography, climate, and the symbolism of its national flag, then examines one by one the terroir characteristics and harvest rhythms of major producing regions such as Buyenzi, Kirundo, Kayanza, and Muyinga, before taking a deep dive into the country's highly distinctive double washed processing method—the complete sequence of two fermentations and two washings. For coffee lovers who favor the bright acidity of African washed beans, Burundi is a stop worth rediscovering, and Front Street Coffee will continue to follow the performance of this producing region. [more…]

Located in Hafursa Village, about eight kilometers west of Yirgacheffe town, it sits on slopes between 1,900 and 2,200 meters above sea level. The local processing station has 12 standard fermentation tanks and more than 160 coded drying bed frames, allowing precise tracking of processing progress. High-altitude berries, after washing, present a distinct lemon note, bright and high-pitched with a delicate texture. However, traditional African beds dry too quickly under bright sun and ventilation, which is actually unfavorable for flavor development. This article explores in depth the agronomic principles of the semi-shaded slow drying method and how it extends the drying period to 16–30 days, thereby preserving more complete contents and bringing a completely different flavor and aftertaste experience. Front Street Coffee recommends this Hafursa slow-dried washed G1, which is worth savoring. [more…]

Recently, the Oceanian nation of Papua New Guinea has been hit by a series of severe natural disasters. A massive landslide occurred in the early hours of the 24th in the Mulitaka area of Enga Province in the north, burying more than 2,000 people, with the death toll now exceeding 670. Months of heavy rainfall that loosened the soil was the main cause of the disaster. The disaster area, Mount Enga, is adjacent to the Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea's core coffee-producing region, where coffee is mostly grown in the Waghi Valley. As the coffee harvest season is currently underway, emergency evacuations have left the coffee cherries unpicked, and production is certain to be affected. At least 15 landslides had already occurred in the country previously, and the coffee-producing region of Chimbu Province in the central region was also affected. Several countries have dispatched rescue teams to assist with search and rescue efforts. [more…]

In Africa's coffee landscape, besides Ethiopia and Kenya, there is another landlocked country known as the "Heart of Africa"—Burundi. With high altitudes, fertile volcanic soil, and ample rainfall, it offers exceptional conditions for growing specialty coffee. Burundi's coffee is primarily washed, and is especially famed for its double fermentation process, which creates a flavor profile that balances gentle and intense acidity with prominent sweetness. This article will systematically introduce Burundi's geography and climate, its five major coffee regions, processing methods, and variety flavor characteristics, and share Front Street Coffee's roasting and cupping experience with Burundian beans, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this niche yet highly promising producing country. [more…]

China and Peru have substantially concluded negotiations to upgrade their free trade agreement, opening a new chapter in bilateral trade and investment cooperation. During her visit to China, Peruvian President Boluarte actively promoted investment opportunities, while China's ever-growing coffee consumption market has also injected momentum into Peru's coffee exports. In the first quarter of 2024, Peru's coffee export growth rate reached 69%, and the soon-to-be-completed Chancay Port is regarded as South America's gateway to Asia. However, just as El Niño has retreated, La Niña may return, and low temperatures will directly hit the coffee harvest season from May to September. With opportunities and challenges coexisting, Peru's coffee industry is standing at a critical crossroads. [more…]

Yunnan, as China's most representative Arabica-producing region, has made remarkable progress on the specialty coffee path in recent years. Front Street Coffee has been rooted in Lincang, Yunnan since 2013, personally participating in cultivation and promotion. This article will review the evolution of Yunnan coffee varieties—from the early Typica to the widely planted Catimor today—analyzing its disease-resistant, high-yield characteristics and flavor controversies, and, combined with Front Street's cupping and brewing experiments, describe in detail the taste performance of Yunnan small-bean coffee and Huaguoshan Typica. At the same time, it introduces product information, brewing parameters, and bean-resting suggestions for Front Street Yunnan sun-dried Typica, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the current status and potential of Yunnan beans. [more…]

Since Indonesia entered the rainy season, heavy rainfall has triggered floods, landslides and other natural disasters in many places, causing casualties and damage to public facilities. This coincides with the coffee harvest season, and the affected areas are close to major coffee-producing regions, so whether plantations have been damaged remains to be confirmed. At the same time, Indonesia's coffee production for 2024/25 is expected to be revised downward, exports are forecast to decline, and combined with a weaker Indonesian rupiah exchange rate and rising fertilizer prices, robusta coffee prices may rise again in the future. This article will review the disaster impact, production data and market trends for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia has a variety system far more complex than we might imagine. What exactly does the commonly seen Heirloom native variety mean on the market? What do the numerical codes such as 74110 and 74158 that have frequently appeared on packaging in recent years represent? This article will sort out the three cultivation models of Ethiopian coffee, trace the historical context of the JARC disease-resistant breeding program in the 1970s, explain the naming logic of the 74/75 series lines, and introduce the progress in identifying and naming Landrace local varieties. At the same time, by combining specific products such as Front Street Coffee's Kafa Forest washed lot and Sidamo Santaverney 74158, it will help readers build a complete understanding of Ethiopia's variety system. [more…]

In recent years, Yunnan coffee has become increasingly prominent. From once being rejected by consumers to gradually gaining trust today, this shift is underpinned by continuous innovation in cultivation methods and post-processing techniques. This article reviews the evolution of Yunnan coffee varieties from Typica to Catimor, analyzes the historical roots of its poor flavor, and introduces Front Street Coffee's practice of growing Typica in the Lincang mountains, as well as the flavor performance and brewing suggestions for two representative Yunnan beans. [more…]