Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, American chain brands have faced waves of boycotts in Muslim-majority regions, with Starbucks bearing the brunt. In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, local consumers' boycott of Starbucks has led to a sharp drop in foot traffic. The latest financial report from franchise operator Berjaya Food shows that in the first half of this year, its Starbucks business suffered a massive loss of 87.34 million ringgit (approximately 143 million RMB). To reverse the decline, Berjaya Food has repeatedly stated that Starbucks Malaysia is wholly owned by a local listed company, with employees almost entirely local and mostly Muslim, in an attempt to distance itself from the US headquarters. However, the boycott continues, even affecting employees' livelihoods and stock performance. How this situation will unfold and whether Starbucks can regain local consumers' trust is worth watching. [more…]

Recently, the Houthi armed forces in Yemen launched a large-scale attack on U.S. warships in the Red Sea. Although the U.S. military successfully intercepted the attack, the incident once again highlighted the tense situation in the Red Sea region. Since the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last year, the Houthis have frequently attacked commercial ships, forcing global shipping routes to change and thereby having a profound impact on the coffee trade. Problems such as soaring transport costs, longer voyages, and container shortages followed one after another. European buyers turned to Brazil for purchases, East African coffee exports were hit hard, and international coffee prices continued to rise. This article will analyze in detail how the Red Sea crisis has disrupted the global coffee supply chain and discuss its specific impact on coffee-producing regions and consumer markets. [more…]

Recently, Chagee sparked boycotts among netizens in Vietnam and Malaysia successively due to a background image in its app that included the nine-dash line map. Vietnam not only removed the app from its platforms but also dismantled the signboard of the first store in Ho Chi Minh City; after Malaysian netizens discovered the same issue, they too joined the chorus of criticism. Although the brand has deleted the controversial image, the public outcry has not yet subsided. It is worth noting that, unlike brands such as Starbucks, which faced boycotts over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leading to the closure of numerous stores, Chagee's offline stores in Kuala Lumpur have maintained steady takeout orders. This article will review the sequence of events and their actual impact on the brand's operations. [more…]

Affected by the global boycott wave triggered by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Starbucks has suffered a severe blow in the Malaysian market. According to multiple media reports, nearly 50 Starbucks stores in the country have suspended operations over the past year, and operator Berjaya Food has fallen into losses for four consecutive quarters. Although the brand has repeatedly clarified its position and taken public welfare measures in an attempt to win back consumer trust, the boycott movement has still not subsided, and store sales have been slow to recover. This turmoil not only reflects the profound impact of geopolitics on commercial brands, but also leaves Starbucks' future in the Southeast Asian market full of uncertainty. [more…]

As a landlocked country, Ethiopia's foreign trade is highly dependent on the Port of Djibouti. Recently, logistics industry organizations from both countries met in Addis Ababa to discuss deepening cooperation, with plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a formal communication mechanism. However, the security situation in the Red Sea region continues to deteriorate, with Houthi armed forces frequently attacking merchant ships. Several shipping companies have announced freight rate increases for November, putting cost pressure on the coffee industry, which relies on maritime transport. The volume and logistics costs of Ethiopia's coffee exports may be affected in the short term, while the conflict in the north of the country is driving up prices and increasing production expenses. This article will review the progress of logistics cooperation, the dynamics of the Red Sea situation, and their potential impact on the coffee trade. [more…]

Recently, the coffee market has experienced a noticeable price increase, driven by a mix of extreme weather, new EU regulations, shipping disruptions, and geopolitical conflicts. The El Niño phenomenon has led to reduced production and exports in several coffee-producing countries, the EU Deforestation Regulation has made importers hesitant to move forward, and the drought in the Panama Canal along with armed threats in the Red Sea have extended shipping times. Add to that war and inflation suppressing consumption and high interest rates driving up trade costs, and coffee futures prices soared at one point. However, some positive signals have emerged recently: El Niño is expected to weaken after March-April 2024, and production and exports from producing countries may recover; meanwhile, the "Operation Prosperity Guardian" initiative has given shipping companies hope of returning to Red Sea routes. Does this mean coffee prices are likely to fall? This article will sort through the whole story and bring you Front Street Coffee's observations and recommendations. [more…]

As the year draws to a close, coffee institutions and importers in multiple countries are successively releasing their annual reports. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian situation, and inflationary pressures have dampened coffee consumption in some regions, while high interest rates have pushed up trade costs, and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is expected to further increase coffee trade expenses in 2024. In terms of weather, the dissipation of El Niño may be delayed until the second quarter of 2024, posing a threat to producing regions along the equatorial belt that flower in April and May, with Brazil's Robusta particularly affected, leading to rising bean prices. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its "Coffee: World Markets and Trade" report, forecasting global production for the 2023/24 year at 171.4 million bags, an increase of 6.9 million bags year-on-year; exports are projected at 119.9 million bags, up 8.4 million bags; consumption will hit a new high of 169.5 million bags, while ending stocks remain at a 12-year low of 26.5 million bags. [more…]

Diplomatic friction between Ethiopia and Somalia continues to escalate. Somalia recently expelled Ethiopia's second-ranking diplomat in Somalia, and relations between the two countries are becoming increasingly tense over the Somaliland port agreement. Meanwhile, the Red Sea crisis has caused throughput at the Port of Djibouti to decline, severely disrupting the import and export of major commodities such as Ethiopian coffee. Combined with peak-season shipping price increases, the depreciation of the birr, and the delay of the EU's EUDR, Ethiopian coffee bean prices have risen across the board, and the local coffee industry is facing dual pressure from exports and costs. [more…]

Recently, videos of physical conflicts between Manner Coffee employees and customers have been exposed one after another, sparking widespread social concern. One of the incidents occurred on May 22 at a store in a shopping mall, where a customer, after arguing with a barista over drink pickup, entered the bar area and assaulted the employee. After police mediation, the customer paid 1,000 yuan in compensation, but there were reports that the brand required the employee to return the compensation and apologize. Behind these successive conflicts are deeper issues exposed by Manner's rapid expansion, including insufficient staffing, excessive work intensity, and a mismatch between pay and effort. This article reviews the course of the incidents and the responses from various parties, and explores the contradiction between the coffee industry's rapid expansion and employee management. [more…]

Recently, a violent conflict between a customer and an employee broke out at a store of the local Malaysian coffee chain Zus Coffee in Kuala Lumpur. A video of about 15 seconds spread rapidly online, showing both sides throwing drinks and objects at each other, with the scene briefly spiraling out of control. The incident sparked various speculations among netizens about the cause of the conflict and also triggered discussions about how brands should protect frontline employees. After the incident, Zus Coffee issued two consecutive statements denying that the employee involved had been fired and saying it had referred the matter to the police. This article will sort through the course of the incident, the reactions of all parties, and the brand's official response. [more…]

Recently, the Chinese Embassy in Ecuador issued a security alert, noting the frequent violent crimes in the country's coastal areas and advising Chinese citizens and institutions to heighten their vigilance. Behind this warning lies Ecuador's ongoing internal armed conflict and an embassy arrest incident that has sent shockwaves through Latin American diplomacy. As a country dependent on exports of oil, bananas, cocoa, and coffee as well as tourism, Ecuador is facing dual pressures from a deteriorating trade environment and declining willingness among tourists to visit. Although its coffee has gradually risen to prominence in international competitions, attracting many bean hunters to visit, the current situation is undoubtedly casting a shadow over the local coffee industry and tourism economy. [more…]

Oromia, Ethiopia, has recently seen a string of kidnappings and armed attacks, and the conflict has spread to the Lekanti coffee-producing area in the west and the town of Asela near the Sidama-producing area. Meanwhile, the country's coffee exports in August hit a record high, with export value rising sharply year on year. However, multiple factors—continued conflict, currency depreciation, and the impending implementation of the EU's deforestation regulation—have filled the prospects for Ethiopia's coffee industry with uncertainty. This article reviews the course of events and the impact on the industry for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

Recently, a conflict between a delivery rider and a staff member at a chain milk tea shop in Shanghai drew widespread attention. Initially, the delivery rider posted a video on social media claiming that a staff member threw milk tea on him after he urged them to hurry with the order, sparking outrage among netizens against the store. However, as surveillance footage from the store was released, the incident took a dramatic turn: the delivery rider, while pressing for the order, took the liberty of rummaging through the counter and made physical contact with the staff, escalating the conflict. The brand said both parties have reached a settlement under police mediation, but the delivery rider later posted an incomplete video and livestreamed, and the brand will reserve the right to pursue legal action. As coffee enthusiasts, we care about the service experience in the beverage industry and also call for a rational view of disputes. Front Street Coffee reminds that communication and respect are the key to resolving conflicts. [more…]

The Ethiopian coffee industry is facing severe challenges. On one hand, security conflicts have once again broken out in the Horo Guduru region of Kiremu district in Oromia, resulting in at least 6 deaths; this area is home to Lekanti, the country's main commercial coffee-producing region, and the ongoing conflict continues to disrupt coffee production. On the other hand, the EU Deforestation Regulation will take effect at the end of 2024, and because Ethiopian coffee will struggle to meet compliance requirements, it could face export economic losses of up to US$1.4 billion. Although Ethiopia's coffee export value hit a record in August this year, the dual pressure of the security situation and new international trade rules has left the outlook for this major African coffee country full of uncertainty. [more…]

On July 10, the vehicle normally used by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez was shot at in the southwestern region of Cauca. Fortunately, she was not in the vehicle, and no one was injured in the incident. Nevertheless, the attack once again laid bare the long-standing violent conflict and complex security situation in the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. Of particular concern to the coffee industry is that these two departments are not only important coffee-producing regions in Colombia, with a combined annual output of about 140,000 tonnes, but are also home to well-known estates such as Finca El Paraiso, Finca Inmaculada and Finca La Esperanza, making them destinations for many traders and coffee hunters. If the government escalates military operations and triggers large-scale conflict, both local coffee production and export routes via the port of Buenaventura could be severely affected. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor the subsequent impact of the incident on Colombia's coffee supply chain. [more…]

Recently, a video of a conflict that took place in a chain milk tea shop in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, spread widely on social media and sparked heated discussion among netizens. The video shows that a female customer, after a staff member accused her child of stealing milk tea, lost control of her emotions and committed violent acts against the staff member, including kicking, pulling her hair, and dragging her, and even got into a biting conflict with a security guard who came to stop her, while also holding a knife while waiting for the police. Behind the incident, was it really a child taking someone else's drink without permission, or was there another hidden story? Media outlets including The Paper and Dawan News followed up with reports one after another, and the shop involved and the local police station have intervened. This article will sort out the entire process of the incident, the responses from all parties, and the focal points of public discussion, to reconstruct this milk tea shop dispute that has attracted social attention. [more…]

The SCA recently published the latest rules and regulations for the 2024 World Barista Championship. Overall, the changes are not extensive; they mainly focus on further clarifying the wording regarding the judging process, conflict-of-interest declarations, and milk selection, while also adjusting the method for evaluating the tactile assessment of espresso. For coffee professionals and enthusiasts who follow the direction of the competition, these detailed changes may directly affect competitors' preparation strategies and judges' officiating standards. This article will sort through the key points of the rule changes one by one to help readers quickly grasp the key adjustment directions of this year's WBC. [more…]

Recently, a rumor circulated online about a fierce conflict between a Mixue Bingcheng employee and the company's HR, involving multiple allegations such as being refused a late clock-in makeup, insulting HR staff, smashing up a store, canceling the cashier system, and even misappropriating public funds, which quickly sparked heated discussion among netizens. However, after verification by media outlets such as Red Star News and Southern Metropolis Daily, the rumor was confirmed to be false; the original blogger has deleted the related content, and the so-called involved store cannot be found on maps. This article sorts out the course of the incident and the responses from all parties, reconstructing the ins and outs of this online false alarm. [more…]

On August 5, Colombia's Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of military operations against the anti-government armed group the National Liberation Army (ELN), and the ceasefire agreement will not be extended after it expires. At the same time, government forces are also fully committed to striking the dissident branch of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the Central General Staff. The southwestern and northeastern provinces where these two major armed groups are active happen to be important coffee-producing regions in Colombia. The civil conflict may severely impact coffee cultivation, infrastructure, and exports, thereby driving up international coffee prices. [more…]

Manner Coffee has been thrust into the spotlight of public opinion due to three incidents of conflicts between staff and customers that occurred over two consecutive days. The brand issued an apology statement through its official Weibo in the evening, pledging to make improvements, but netizens did not accept the content of the statement, especially expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of a clear response to the incident in which "a customer broke into the bar area and assaulted a staff member." At the same time, the content of Manner's two official Douyin accounts has been completely cleared, sparking further speculation. Behind the incidents, media investigations and revelations from former employees have exposed that under Manner's rapid expansion, frontline baristas face high-intensity work, heavy psychological pressure, and an unreasonable compensation system. As one of the few brands in the industry with a thousand stores that still insists on using semi-automatic espresso machines, how Manner can strike a balance between efficiency, quality, and employee rights has become an urgent issue to be resolved. [more…]