The latest statement from the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa) indicates that Vietnamese coffee prices are highly likely to continue their upward trend in 2024, with the core driver still being severely tight supply. Current spot quotes for robusta have risen to 67,200-68,000 Vietnamese dong/kg, up 900-1,000 dong from last week and about 8,000 dong higher cumulatively since early December. The new crop season opened in November at a record high of 60,000 dong/kg, with traders rushing to buy early out of fear of repeating last year's June predicament of having no beans to purchase, while coffee farmers, expecting further price increases, are holding back sales, leading to fulfillment difficulties and a distorted export structure. El Niño continues to intensify, and robusta-producing regions in Brazil and Indonesia are expected to see lower output, further reinforcing the logic of rising prices—something coffee industry professionals and enthusiasts should closely watch. [more…]

In the past, people used to drink coffee during the day and avoid caffeine at night to prevent it from affecting their sleep. However, as the coffee-drinking crowd continues to grow, a night coffee culture of drinking later and later is quietly emerging among young people. On a commercial street in Guangdong, 14 coffee shops of different styles are clustered within less than a hundred meters. After 9 p.m., every seat is taken, and the bustle is no less lively than a food night market. Some stores stay open until the early morning or even operate 24 hours without closing, and revenue from 8 p.m. to the early morning can account for more than 70 percent of the whole day's sales. This "small shop + outdoor" business format satisfies both the essential daytime demand and the nighttime social scenario, and also offers boutique coffee shops a new way to seek growth amid fierce competition. [more…]

Recently, affected by extreme weather, global coffee bean prices have continued to rise, with cumulative increases exceeding 80% during the year. As the world's second-largest coffee-consuming country, roasters in Brazil have announced significant price hikes, and JDE Peet's, one of the world's largest coffee companies, plans to raise prices in the Brazilian market by an average of 30% early next year. At the same time, European roasters are also preparing to follow suit. Although the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut caused coffee futures to briefly fall back, persistently high prices, an uncertain production outlook, and the possible emergence of La Niña have all intensified concerns about a global coffee supply gap in the 2025/26 season. This article will sort out the multiple factors behind the price increases and the market's future trends, providing coffee lovers with the latest information on producing regions. [more…]

Vietnam, as a major global robusta coffee-producing region, has recently faced a succession of extreme weather challenges. Two consecutive tropical storms brought heavy rainfall, causing rapid flooding in the upper reaches of the Mekong River and threatening coffee cultivation in low-lying downstream production areas. At the same time, drought earlier in the year has already adversely affected coffee flowering, making a decline in the new crop season almost certain. Some coffee farmers have switched to more profitable crops such as durian, further reducing the area devoted to coffee cultivation. Port facilities have been damaged and exports hindered, and combined with Indonesia's reduced export capacity, global robusta supply is expected to face a shortage for the fourth consecutive year. Front Street Coffee will continue to follow developments in the production regions and bring enthusiasts the latest news. [more…]

At the start of 2022, office workers lost both their milk tea freedom and coffee freedom in quick succession. But then new-style tea drink brands proactively cut prices, with Heytea and Nayuki even offering cups for 9 yuan, while coffee brands such as Starbucks and Luckin raised prices one after another due to rising raw material costs. Behind this divergence—one cutting prices, the other raising them—lies the reality that consumers are returning to rationality, the traffic dividend for new-style tea drinks is fading, and the coffee market is still in its early stage of expansion. This article sorts out the logic behind the price divergence between the new-style tea drink and coffee industries, and looks ahead to the future market landscape. [more…]

Liberica, a coffee variety known as "large bean," originated in Liberia, Africa. Its beans are large but extremely low in caffeine, with a flavor profile dominated by smoky, earthy, and woody notes, even described as "liquid tobacco." It was not favored by the commercial market, yet found its widest cultivation ground in the Philippines. Why did the Philippines become the largest producing country of Liberica? This is inseparable from the rise and fall of the country's coffee industry: from the introduction of Arabica in 1740, to the leaf rust disease at the end of the 19th century that caused production to plummet by 80%, to the government's introduction of disease-resistant varieties and implementation of a five-year revival plan in the 1950s, the demand from instant coffee factories ultimately allowed Liberica to gain a foothold. This article will trace this history and explore whether Liberica also has the potential to move toward specialty coffee. [more…]

Robusta's share of global coffee production has climbed from 25% in the early 1990s to 40%, with market demand continuing to rise, yet breeding and improvement efforts have long lagged behind. WCR predicts that if consumption growth overlaps with the climate crisis, the global coffee supply could face severe shortages in 2024. To address this, WCR is about to launch a Robusta breeding program using a large amount of genetic material provided by CIRAD, and will work with major producing countries to build a global breeding network. Meanwhile, planting trials in Uganda have already been implemented, distributing nearly 50,000 disease-resistant Robusta (KR) trees to farmers. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor the industry trends and variety innovations in Robusta. [more…]

Recently, multiple media outlets including Bloomberg reported that the coffee chain brand Manner Coffee is preparing for a Hong Kong listing, potentially debuting on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as early as next year with a valuation expected to reach US$3 billion. Manner responded to this by saying it had "no comment," a shift from its previous stance of outright denial. Looking back at Manner's development, it started in 2015 as a 2-square-meter small shop in Shanghai, rising rapidly through a strategy of making specialty coffee affordable and a community store model, and successively attracted backing from Capital Today, Meituan Dragonball, ByteDance, Temasek, and other capital investors. As of November, Manner had 2,234 stores nationwide, ranking sixth in scale, and among the top six brands it, like Starbucks China, operates under a direct-operated model. Amid successive moves by competitors, Manner's listing rumors have drawn widespread attention. (Recommended by Front Street Coffee) [more…]

Honduras has performed impressively on the international coffee stage in recent years, with its export volume now ranking third in Latin America and fifth globally. From early industry lag to today's frequent emergence of specialty coffees, this Central American country has completed a remarkable transformation. Among them, El Naranjo estate, located in the Marcala region, has become one of the representative estates of Honduran specialty coffee thanks to its high altitude of 1,800 meters, the careful cultivation of Catuai and Geisha varieties, and its strong track record of multiple Cup of Excellence (COE) awards. Front Street Coffee takes you on an in-depth look at this estate, named after the orange trees used for shade, exploring its flavor characteristics, management philosophy, and sustainable development practices. [more…]

Starbucks fans who have waited years for the Pink Drink will finally see it arrive in the mainland China market! According to Reuters, this globally popular pink beverage is expected to hit shelves between late May and early June this year, and its sister drink, the "Strawberry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher," will appear alongside it. The Pink Drink is centered on coconut milk and has a rich taste reminiscent of strawberry yogurt; the Strawberry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher uses lemonade as its base and is tart, refreshing, and light. Both products already launched in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as early as July last year. This article walks you through the Pink Drink's rise to fame and its launch timeline, and rounds up tasting and ordering tips from netizens in various countries, including practical suggestions such as less ice, less coconut milk, and adjusted sugar levels, to help you get the most on-point cup the moment it becomes available. [more…]

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. Although its coffee production is small, it has won the favor of enthusiasts with its excellent sweetness and unique flavors. Coffee first took root in the Yungas region on the eastern slopes of the Andes at the end of the 18th century, and only became commercialized in the early 20th century. Since then, due to international price fluctuations and policy changes, the industry went through repeated ups and downs, and was even once replaced by drug crops. It was not until 2022, when the government once again turned its attention to it, that the coffee industry saw a turning point. The country has diverse terrain and climate. Caranavi Province has long been a core production area, and in recent years Samaipata in Santa Cruz has begun to emerge. The Rodríguez family has been deeply involved here since 1986, introducing varieties such as Java and Geisha, and promoting Bolivian coffee on the international stage. [more…]

Recently, the coffee consulting platform Perfect Daily Grind published a report pointing out that Robusta coffee prices have climbed to their highest level in 29 years, mainly driven by multiple factors including growing global demand, supply shortages, and transportation bottlenecks. From Brazil to Vietnam, purchase prices in major producing regions have risen in tandem, and the Red Sea crisis has further intensified trade pressure on routes from East Asia to Europe. At the same time, the popularity of coffee blends has brought more attention to Robusta in the specialty coffee sector, and its climate-resistance advantages are also attracting increasing investment. Front Street Coffee believes that unless there is a fundamental shift in the supply-demand landscape, Robusta prices are likely to remain volatile at high levels and will be difficult to bring down quickly in the short term. [more…]

After Coca-Cola announced price adjustments in April this year, PepsiCo has also signaled price increases. Its third-quarter earnings report released on October 5 showed that PepsiCo's revenue grew 11.6% year-on-year, but both operating costs and selling expenses rose by more than 10%. Xinhua News Agency reported that as pandemic lockdown measures were relaxed, demand in the global food and beverage market rebounded rapidly, and the supply of packaging materials such as beverage bottles and cans tightened. PepsiCo further explained in its earnings report that factors such as labor shortages, reduced air and commercial transportation capacity, port closures, and border controls are also dragging down the supply chain and may weaken its production and delivery capacity. Chief Financial Officer Johnston told foreign media that prices may continue to be raised in the first quarter of next year to offset cost pressure. Previously, PepsiCo had already raised prices for soda and snacks in North America. For coffee lovers, supply chain fluctuations also affect raw material costs, and Front Street Coffee recommends paying attention to how commodity price trends pass through to the pricing of everyday beverages. [more…]

Black tea is the most consumed tea type in the world, yet its creation came about by accident. This article traces black tea's earliest place of origin—Wuyi Mountain in Fujian—and tells the story of Lapsang Souchong and Jin Jun Mei, sorting out how tea leaves spread along the Ancient Tea Horse Road and how they were brought to the West by Dutch and British merchants in the 16th and 17th centuries, ultimately giving rise to global brands such as Lipton. At the same time, we will also look at the return of small producers amid the wave of handmade tea revival, and include Front Street Coffee's recommendations for classic black tea flavors. [more…]

Affected by rising coffee futures prices and ongoing international logistics disruptions, Starbucks Korea has experienced a round of coffee bean supply fluctuations since the beginning of this year. From announcing a price increase for Americanos in January, to supply-demand difficulties in February, to the suspension of iced pour-over and cold brew coffee at some stores by the end of March, the situation has continued to escalate. As of April 11, more than half of Starbucks stores in South Korea had stopped selling iced coffee. Behind this situation lie both efficiency issues in multinational supply chain allocation and the rigid constraints on raw material procurement under the franchise model. Why can't Starbucks Korea procure coffee beans on its own? Why do espresso beans and iced coffee beans have different supply priorities? This article will sort out the timeline of events and industry interpretations, and include relevant information channels for Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Coffee bean prices have been soaring relentlessly, and chain coffee brands can finally no longer hold out. Starbucks Taiwan posted an announcement on its official website without warning in the early hours of February 11, announcing a slight price adjustment for some drinks starting February 12, with increases ranging from NT$5 to NT$10. The company attributed the price hike to rising raw material costs caused by abnormal weather and the international situation. At the same time, Starbucks also launched a Valentine's Day buy-one-get-one-free promotion to cushion consumers' feelings. It is worth noting that coffee futures recently broke through 430 cents per pound on the ICE exchange in the United States, setting a new 47-year high, with a gain of 118.57% over the past year. Whether this wave of price increases will prompt competitors to follow suit has become the focus of industry attention. This article will sort out the specific categories involved in this price adjustment, the extent of the increases, and the coffee bean market trends behind it. [more…]

In recent years, creative coffee has continuously pushed boundaries, driven by a consumer psychology that seeks novelty. From early combinations with milk, sugar, and cream, to Irish coffee-style blends of alcohol and coffee, and then to milk coffee, tea coffee, and fruit-based specialty drinks, we now even see surprising combinations like pickled vegetable Americano, tofu pudding latte, and pig trotter ginger specialty coffee. While these products can briefly capture attention, they often sacrifice the rationality of flavor pairing, leading consumers to not repurchase after trying them. This article reviews the evolution of creative coffee, analyzes the reasons and concerns behind these "genetic mutations," and explores how a good creative coffee should balance visual impact with flavor harmony, providing reference for coffee enthusiasts and practitioners. [more…]

Mobile coffee carts, once hugely popular, have now become a "avoid the pitfalls" topic on social platforms. From the rise of the street-stall economy in 2020 to the boost from the camping trend, coffee carts were once seen as a shortcut to low-threshold entrepreneurship, attracting many people to invest tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand yuan in modifications. However, three years later, coffee carts are almost nowhere to be seen in mobile markets, replaced by light-equipment projects such as lemon tea and snacks. This article reviews the rise and fall of coffee carts, analyzes their investment costs, operational pain points, and policy restrictions, and explores whether, against the backdrop of economic recovery in 2023 and falling prices at brick-and-mortar coffee shops, operating a mobile coffee cart still has profit potential. [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…]

ChaPanda's new store at Konkuk University Station in Seoul, South Korea, recently officially opened its doors to customers. This is the brand's second store in the greater Seoul area, following its first store in Gangnam District earlier this year. At the same time, ChaPanda's stock price has performed impressively recently, with cumulative gains of nearly 70% over the past six trading days. From choosing South Korea as its first overseas destination, to launching Korea-exclusive products, to local consumers accounting for more than 80%, ChaPanda is validating its store model in the East Asian market through a differentiated strategy. This article will review ChaPanda's expansion path in South Korea, its product strategy, and the latest developments in the capital market. [more…]