Having collaborated on numerous initiatives over the years, the SCA and ICO, bound by this MoU, aim to harness their combined outreach and expertise. This dynamic partnership sets out to design and implement interventions that will benefit coffee stakeholders worldwide through knowledge-sharing, education, and capacity building. Under the MoU, both organizations pledge to create training programs and foster skill development across diverse segments of the coffee value chain — from production and trade to roasting, brewing, and preparation methods.

Notably, the MoU outlines a joint commitment to expanding market promotion and encouraging the consumption of high-quality coffee. The SCA and ICO are united in their mission to facilitate constructive dialogue, linking ICO Members, industry experts, and coffee professionals. This collaboration and the programs to follow will actively promote sustainable practices and will provide increased visibility in specialty markets, with an emphasis on attributes, consuming markets, communication, and skill building. This program aims to empower producer organizations to access specialty coffee and embrace higher value trading models through the use of the SCA Coffee Value Assessment and its tools.

This agreement reflects the dedication of the Specialty Coffee Association to make coffee a thriving equitable and sustainable activity for the entire value chain, in tandem with the International Coffee Organization.

On this partnership, Vanúsia Nogueira, executive director of the ICO stated, “Promoting comprehensive training is not just a necessity; it is one of the most important elements to fuel the future of the coffee sector. Education and skills development are the keys to unlocking the full potential of our industry, ensuring a robust foundation for sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and empowering every actor in the value chain, from bean to cup. The specialty coffee segment is synonymous with quality and excellence, and I am confident that many stakeholders, especially in coffee producing countries, will benefit from this important partnership with SCA.”

Yannis Apostolopoulos, chief executive officer of the SCA added, “[This] signature marks a significant stride towards sustainability by creating new opportunities for knowledge transfer across the coffee sector. The SCA is committed to supporting institutions, organizations, and platforms in the coffee sector who are dedicated to building an equitable and sustainable industry, and the association believes that collaborative and diverse approaches, like this partnership with the ICO, will play a crucial role in making the rewards of the specialty coffee segment accessible worldwide.”

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The award, named after the visionary leader of illycaffè and the son of the company’s founder, celebrates the work that the Trieste, Italy-based company has been doing every day for the last 30 years, side-by-side with coffee farmers, to offer the best possible sustainable coffee. The award was presented to the winner by illycaffè chairman Andrea Illy during an event held at the New York Public Library in New York.

EIICA celebrates the finest Arabica coffees sourced from all over the world. This event aims to recognize growers for the quality coffee they tirelessly work to produce. The award was assigned by an independent panel of nine experts who examined the best batches from the 2022-2023 harvest through a blind tasting of nine coffees from the nine finalist countries: Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Rwanda. Prior to being evaluated by the panel, each batch of coffee was analysed by illycaffè’s quality control labs and rated in terms of richness and aromatic complexity, the elegance and balance of its flavour and intensity of its aroma.

Guatemala’s Finca Danilandia di Luis Arimany Mondonico won the Coffee Lovers’ Choice Award, assigned by a panel of consumers who, in the weeks prior to the event, carried out blind taste tests of the coffee samples in illy cafés in Trieste, Milan, Paris, London, Sao Paolo and New York and ranked their preferences.

“The absolute victory of the Brazilian coffee coming from regenerative agriculture – chosen blindly among the nine best coffees in the world – fills me with joy. Indeed, the history of the Ernesto Illy Award began in Brazil in 1991 and this confirms that the rewards received, by illycaffè for having transformed Brazil from a leader in quantity to a leader in quality are well-deserved,” said Andrea Illy. “After more than 25 years of neverending and tireless work by our team of agronomists and the University of Coffee, the leap has finally happened thanks to regenerative agriculture, which we decided to develop in 2018 for the benefits it brings to the environment and everyone’s health.”

The panel that voted for the Best of the Best award included Guatemala’s professional taster Silvia Escobar; the President of Federação dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado, Brasilian Glaucio De Castro; the director of the CoffeeLab quality laboratory, Indian Sunalini Narayan Menon; chef Ricard Camarena, who has been awarded two Michelin stars and a green star for his dedication to sustainability at his Ricard Camarena Restaurant in Valencia; American chefs Carrie and Rupert Blease, who manage the Michelin-starred Lord Stanley restaurant in San Francisco; Andrea Aprea, a Michelin-starred chef with a restaurant bearing his name in Milan; French writer and journalist Adelaide de Clermont-Tonnere, editor-in-chief of Point de Vue magazine; Inga Griese, founder and editor-in-chief of ICON, the style supplement of the German newspaper Welt Am Sonntag; Angelina Villa Clarke, a journalist contributing to prestigious English-language publications including Forbes.

Commenting on the winning coffee, the jury said, “This year’s Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award winner is a rounded, wholesome, and fully bodied cup, with rich yet mellow flavors of a balance of chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, and toasted almonds on a bed of refined brightness, with a lingering finish of mild, gentle, yet harmonious sweetness. It truly represents the finest taste characteristics of its origin.”

Martha Stewart, Matilda De Angelis, Pat Cleveland, Coco Rocha, Candela Pelizza, Tamu Mc Pherson, Carlo Sestini, Simon and Marina Ksandr, Nick Lowry, Tesa Pesic are some of the celebrities who attended the gala event at the New York Public Library, hosted by chef and TV star Marcus Samuelsson, to celebrate the best coffee producers who work behind the unique illy blend.

The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award is also an unmissable networking opportunity for all those involved in the coffee industry, from producers to exporters, from traders to institutional representatives. In the morning they all met at the United Nations Headquarters to attend a panel discussion on protecting the future of coffee. Alongside illycaffè chairman Andrea Illy, speakers included Vanusia Nogueira, executive director, International Coffee Organization; Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economy at Columbia University and co-chair at the Regenerative Society Foundation; Oscar Schaps, president of the Latin American division of Stone X Financial Inc; and Glaucio de Castro, president of the Federação dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado Mineiro. (For a full recap of the event at the UN, see the Editor’s Blog: “The time is now” to invest in regenerative agriculture (teaandcoffee.net).

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While innovation and new/upgraded technology are always key themes, similar to most exhibitions of late, the main theme was sustainable innovation, with exhibitors touting their sustainable/eco-friendly machinery and initiatives.

For example, Cimbria’s new SEA.IQ Optical Sorter is designed to recognise all defects and imperfections. It features cameras with integrated RGB, NIR and SWIR or UV working multifrequency to match multiple data collected during thousands of scans per second.

Goglio introduced a coffee capsule equipped with a degassing valve. This design makes it possible to immediately package fresh coffee without having to wait for the degassing process, which reduces storage times and preserves the aroma of the coffee. The capsule is also available in a 100% compostable version to meet the regulations being discussed in Italy and Europe, and is already certified as industrially compostable.

Mikafi, a Swiss startup, launched its electric tabletop roasting machine at Host Milan. The founders believe that in a world where sustainability, personalisation, and quality experiences are becoming more important, coffee roasting must be ‘rethought’. Designed for the HoReCa market, and in partnership with Thermoplan, the MikafiOne is a fully automated roasting system that uses AI and IoT that offers pre-programmed roast profiles – so non-baristas or inexperienced roasters can use it – as well as customisable roast profiles. “Anyone can roast the coffee, you do not need a roast master and it frees up the barista, said co-founder and CPO, Claudio Vögtli. He shared that the MikafiOne roasts 1 kilo of coffee, which enables businesses to offer a special roast daily in addition to their standard coffee assortment.

Caffe Vergnano was highlighting its ‘Women in Coffee’, which is the company’s women-focused sustainability initiative developed by CEO Carolina Vergnano. Launched in 2018 in collaboration with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), the initiative is aimed at supporting women working in small coffee plantations. The initial project in 2019 focused on the Dominican Republic, followed by Honduras beginning in 2020. This year’s project is a further evolution of the Honduras initiative, which will provide equipment for the library (that was built between 2021 and 2022) and a cafeteria. Proceeds from the Women in Coffee items – all pink – that are sold online and in WIC Cafés around the world, contribute to the project. For more information or to purchase items, visit caffevergnano.com.

After being decimated during the pandemic as stay-at-home orders were implemented globally, the office coffee service (OCS) industry is making a comeback this year. At Host Milan, OCS machine manufacturers exhibited a range of products that are stylish, fully automated, offer high quality beverages, and, most importantly, are durable, easy to use and easy to maintain. Bravilor Bonamat, Rancillo and Bunn were just a few of the companies that showcased the latest in OCS technology.

The 44th edition of Host Milan will be held at fieramilano from 17 to 21 October 2025.

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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Jim Pittas, president & CEO, PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies), said “Pack Expo Las Vegas (‘PELV’) was the largest since its inception” with more than 32,000 attendees and over 2,300 exhibitors spanning more than one million square feet of exhibit space. PMMI executives said the show had reached maximum capacity despite continued interest from companies wanting to exhibit as the new West Hall was occupied with a different exhibition.

Pack Expo – whether in Las Vegas or Chicago – is the premier trade show in the United States annually to observe the latest packaging and processing solutions in action, with suppliers showcasing diverse innovations for more than 40 vertical markets. According to PMMI, industry growth remains steady at 3.4 percent with the total size of the market in the U.S. reaching $10.2 billion.

Sustainability and automation were the major themes of PELV. A new Sustainability Central area served as an interactive resource to learn about design, materials, manufacturing, recovery, logistics, and data. At the accompanying Sustainability Stage, presenters spoke on a range of packaging sustainability topics, advising attendees how to make their brands more environmentally friendly. The Pack Expo Green Program – which identifies exhibiting companies that provide sustainable solutions via new materials, technology, or strategies such as sustainable processes and machines, renewable and biodegradable packaging, source reduction and lightweighting, recyclable and recycled-content materials, or innovations that reduce carbon footprint – returned to PELV.

At a media briefing on the opening day of Pack Expo Las Vegas, Pierre Pienaar, president of the World Packaging Organisation, which facilitates solutions to global challenges in all areas of packaging, said that the packaging industry is “at a crossroads where the future of packaging is in our hands. “Decisions need to be made that will alter the course and map the path for future generations.” He believes that the reduction of food waste can be achieved through the better use of packaging and awareness.

Pienaar noted that the material types that we use “have and will change the landscape, having a direct impact on sustainability.” He added that the technology that we design and implement, will “map the course of energy reduction that we will follow over the next 10-20 years.” Furthermore, the “innovation of new ideas in packaging will make the difference in creating a successful and sustainable circular economy. We need to empower consumers with the ability to lead their lives in a more environmentally positive way.”

In an exclusive conversation with T&CTJ, Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development, PMMI, said that labour and manufacturing challenges have fuelled innovation because many technologies – primarily in automation – have been adapting to close gaps in availability and skills. Additionally, the area of remote access continues to gain strength. “Remote access is not new,” he explained, “it’s been around but companies didn’t take advantage of it because of cyber security concerns. Covid forced them to look. Covid was a catalyser and once companies started using it, they realised they can utilise remote access technologies in multiple areas.”

Izquierdo noted that there are still supply chain challenges, but they are not as bad as in 2021 and 2022. “A lot of orders in 2023 are from 2022 but they were delayed because of supply chain issues that have finally been resolved (such as the delays with electronic components),” he explained, noting that wait times have improved significantly but they will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024.

“E-commerce exploded during Covid. We’re finding significant demand for packaging and fulfillment machinery at the warehouse level because of companies doing to direct to consumer,” said Izquierdo. “When sending direct to consumer, there is a mix of different products so the box will have different varieties in it and they will need to be packed into smaller boxes. This is happening at the warehouse, not the manufacturing plant so now warehouses need case sealing equipment, labelling equipment, etc. All this requires different types of equipment in warehouse.”

Pack Expo Las Vegas offered 100+ educational sessions organised into five different areas (Innovation Stage, Processing Innovation Stage, The Forum, etc). Topics ranged from robotics, automation, AI, and sustainability, to advances in food and beverage processing, digitalisation, cybersecurity, integration of cobots into manufacturing, to the benefits, ROI, and points of consideration for companies switching to reusables.

One sustainability session, ‘Sustainability — What Does it Mean in Packaging Materials?’, focused on the trends and developments specific to food packaging. The presenter, Gregg Poffenbarger, business unit director, materials at the Multivac Group, noted how methane gas is 80 times worse for the environment than CO2. He then listed several holistic approaches to mitigating waste that included reducing plastic content in favour of paperboard and formable papers as well as smaller packages. “With smaller packages, there is portion control so there is less food waste and less packaging water going into landfills.”

PELV also raised $30,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organisation dedicated to helping the nation’s first responders, military heroes, injured veterans, homeless veterans, and their families. For over 20 years, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honoured the late FDNY (Fire Department of New York) firefighter Stephen Siller’s legacy by supporting the heroes who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty.

“With our show opening on 9/11, we could not think of a better way to honour the lives lost during that tragedy than to support an organization like Tunnel to Towers that keeps the legacy of those heroes alive by providing support to the first responders, military heroes, and veterans who are with us today,” said Pittas. “We’re grateful to all who donated and showed their support.”

Pack Expo International will take place 3-6 November 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. — Vanessa L Facenda

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CropConex is a value chain management platform bringing the coffee trade ecosystem online, with tools to streamline operations and de-risk trade. The platform empowers buyers, sellers, and exporters to grow together, by making value chains traceable, efficient, and accessible. Starting in Ethiopia, this New York based startup seeks to unlock greater efficiency in global trade, increasing access and prosperity for all. Visit the website to learn more.

The CropConex marketplace launched this summer, presenting coffees from reliable Ethiopian suppliers to the North American market in an e-commerce system designed for international agricultural trade. An open marketplace with validated listings, efficient communication, and secure and compliant transactions can build greater confidence in direct trade participation across different sizes and levels of experience in both buyers and sellers.

The digital system tracks every step in the sales and logistics process, from sampling to ordering to delivery, and reports progress in an easy-to-use portal. This workflow enables open communications between suppliers, buyers, and logistics service providers throughout the entire process, cultivating a deeper level of transparency and traceability in the specialty coffee supply chain.

CropConex’s marketplace currently offers:
• A diverse catalog of Ethiopian coffees.
• Access to greater volume flexibility than traditional channels.
• A commercial airline partnership with groundbreaking air-shipping rates from Ethiopia at under USD $1.30/lb.
• Real-time data updates and feedback as coffee moves through the supply chain.
• On-the-ground team presence and quality controls at origin.

How the platform works for coffee buyers:
• Browse the marketplace and request samples for coffees of interest.
• Provide sample feedback and enter price negotiations directly with suppliers.
• Secure contracts, payment and export logistics within the platform.
• Receive quality checks, shipment status updates and final delivery within weeks.

Brianna Dickey, founder and CEO of CropConex, developed the platform to unlock greater access, equitability and economic potential in the international coffee trade market. The company plans to offer education on existing and future ecosystems of trade. They encourage discourse on the distributed rights to growth and the mutual benefits found in collective progress.

Tackling the complexities in current trading between Ethiopia and the United States, CropConex worked with the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration offices, the Coffee and Tea Authority, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and the Ethiopian Investment Commissioner to finalize the legal incorporation of e-commerce into their business registration codes. On 11 November 2022 CropConex was licensed as the first E-Commerce Platform Operator business in the nation. They are working to expand their operation to other countries in the near future.

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Coffee grew 5%, primarily driven by the strong performance of Costa® coffee in the United Kingdom and China. Tea grew 1%, primarily driven by growth in Latin America, partially offset by a decline in doğadan® in Türkiye. North America unit case volume declined 1%, as growth in sparkling flavours and juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages was more than offset by declines in water, sports, coffee and tea as well as Trademark Coca-Cola®.

Net revenues grew 6% to USD $12.0 billion, and organic revenues (non-GAAP) grew 11%. Revenue performance included 10% growth in price/mix and 1% growth in concentrate sales. Concentrate sales were 1 point ahead of unit case volume, largely due to the timing of concentrate shipments.

Operating margin was 20.1% versus 20.7% in the prior year, while comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 31.6% versus 30.7% in the prior year. Operating margin decline was primarily driven by items impacting comparability and currency headwinds. Comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) expansion was primarily driven by strong topline growth and the impact of refranchising bottling operations, partially offset by an increase in marketing investments and higher operating costs versus the prior year, as well as currency headwinds.

EPS (earning per share) grew 34% to $0.59, and comparable EPS (non-GAAP) grew 11% to $0.78. Comparable EPS (non-GAAP) performance included the impact of a 6-point currency headwind.

In terms of market share, Coca-Cola gained value share in total nonalcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages.

Cash flow from operations was $4.6 billion year-to-date, an increase of $83 million versus the prior year, driven by strong business performance and working capital initiatives, partially offset by the transition tax payment made during the second quarter. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $4.0 billion year-to-date, a decline of $45 million versus the prior year.

“I am encouraged that our all-weather strategy, working together with our bottling partners, has delivered strong second quarter results,” said James Quincey, chairman and CEO of Atlanta, Georgia-based The Coca-Cola Company. “We are executing efficiently and effectively on a local level, while maintaining flexibility on a global level. The strength of our first half results and the resiliency of our business gives us the confidence to raise our 2023 guidance.”

To support the company’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2030, against a 2015 baseline, The Coca-Cola Company and eight leading global bottling partners created a first-of-its-kind sustainability-focused $137.7 million venture capital fund in partnership with Greycroft, a seed-to-growth venture capital firm. The fund aligns with the company’s networked approach to sustainability and has the potential to help advance solutions across its global value chain by investing in sustainability-focused companies at the point of commercialisation. Reducing the Coca-Cola system’s carbon footprint is a top priority for the fund, so it will initially prioritise five key areas with the most potential impact: packaging, heating and cooling, facility decarbonisation, distribution and supply chain.

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Bizzy Cold Brew’s elevated rebrand, which was designed by Los Angeles-based creative agency Day Job, now clearly communicates the quality of its product line, from its craft-brewed process, stronger taste, high caffeine content and zero sugar in all its brews. Unlike competitors who hide or omit caffeine content from bottles, Bizzy Cold Brew moved its caffeine content to the front of the bottle, directly on the pour spot, to be more transparent with consumers about caffeine per serving. The shape of the bottle has also been changed to improve pourability for its consumers.

“We wanted our new look to elevate our visual identity and clearly communicate our craft product. With nods to an era when quality was the rule and not the exception, Bizzy Cold Brew’s superior taste and higher caffeine content makes it the best value for coffee lovers,” said Alex French, CEO and co-founder of Bizzy Cold Brew. “Bizzy Cold Brew is an affordable luxury and we’re excited that the branding now embodies our values and will stand out on shelves.”

Bizzy Cold Brew’s product lineup includes a variety of craft-brewed products, from unsweetened ready-to-drink, multi-serve bottles of cold brew to coarse grounds that can be brewed at home and convenient, eco-friendly brew bags. Bizzy Cold Brew is crafted using a unique brew process to ensure the smoothest taste and highest caffeine, with USDA Certified Organic Arabica coffee beans from Central and South America.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based brand is also committed to sustainable practices in all areas of its operations. The brand’s cold brew bottles are made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (excluding the cap) and it composts spent coffee grounds (650,000 pounds last year alone). Bizzy Cold Brew recycles and repurposes 100% of its burlap coffee bean sacks and its roaster utilises after-burner technology to eliminate airborne emissions from roasting.

Bizzy Cold Brew’s RTD products are available in more than 5,000 grocery stores across the United States. Its cold brew bags and grounds are also available for purchase on the Bizzy Cold Brew website and Amazon.com.

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T&CTJ, in conjunction once again with Firsd Tea, invites you to add your voice to the 2nd Annual Tea Sustainability Perspectives survey. This survey gauges perceptions of sustainability in the tea industry among business leaders in the tea, coffee and cocoa sectors. It covers social, economic, and environmental issues associated with sustainability.

“The previous survey was a critical mirror for us in the tea industry. This year we want to be aware of any incremental gains or be watchful for any potential regressions. We can then fine-tune our shared actions in a united effort for the betterment of all people, the planet, and the tea plant that is so dear to each of us,” said Jason Walker, marketing director, Firsd Tea North America.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. The deadline has been extended to 31 August 2023.

For every completed response, a contribution will be donated to 1% for the Planet, an international organisation whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their mission is to “build, support and activate an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet.”

Access the survey here.

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ICoT is designed to support customers across the cocoa and coffee industries in demonstrating their compliance with regulation being introduced by the EU to minimise the extent to which the consumption of certain commodities in the EU, including cocoa and coffee, result in deforestation worldwide. IBA anticipates launching ICoT in 2024, in advance of the regulation entering into application on 30 December 2024.

“Recognising ICE’s established position in the cocoa and coffee markets, where the benchmark prices for these commodities are formed every day, ICE has been working closely with the industry to design a solution to help customers meet the requirements of the deforestation regulation. This includes the need to receive and verify supply chain data from sellers when entering into transactions,” said Toby Brandon, senior director, ICE Soft Commodity Operations.

“ICE’s customers, stakeholders, and the countries where cocoa and coffee are grown, have made significant investments in supply chain sustainability processes and technology over many years. ICoT builds on this infrastructure by providing a single, standardised platform, allowing the multiple technologies which will be used by customers to provide farmer location and traceability data required by the deforestation regulation. ICoT will independently validate this data to allow cocoa and coffee to be readily traded and placed on the EU market,” continued Brandon.

ICE’s benchmark Cocoa, London Cocoa, Coffee C® and Robusta Coffee futures and options contracts are the largest markets in the world to trade cocoa and coffee. Last year the equivalent of over 500 million tons traded on ICE’s cocoa and coffee markets.

“By collating, standardising and validating supply chain data, ICoT will assist customers in demonstrating compliance from the farm to European consumer product,” said Clive de Ruig, president of IBA. “ICoT is designed to facilitate customers’ successful implementation of the deforestation regulation and maintain the free-flowing and commoditised physical trade of cocoa and coffee, which is crucial for countries where the commodities originate and to businesses in the EU.”

He added that “users of ICoT will benefit from IBA’s proven and market-leading technology and data management, together with IBA’s long-standing experience and reputation for establishing robust and independent governance processes and oversight functions. Combining this expertise with ICE’s established position in commodity markets means that we are well-placed to help customers meet the requirements of the new regulation.”

IBA’s launch of ICoT remains subject to satisfactory testing and feedback, and other dependencies such as system and data availability required under the deforestation regulation.

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The first two were dramatically propelled forward because of the pandemic, as companies were forced to reimagine how they conducted business and how they could operate in safe and innovative ways. Rockwell Automation and tna solutions offered visitors to their stands the chance to experience their VR (virtual reality) technology. Rockwell Automations sat us down inside egg-shaped swivel chairs and placed a headset on us to talk through its Emulate3D digital twin software. You are transported to a factory floor with a range of production machinery, mirroring a real world set up. Customers can use this technology to trial machinery with their products before ordering, simulate how the equipment could work in their space and train employees on the systems without them even needing to be on the factory floor. 

Similarly, tna’s entire presentation was in a virtual reality (or what they call Extended Reality or XR) scape, where we were guided by a virtual figure (that brought to mind the uncanny valley theory!) through its virtual factory, allowing customers, much like Rockwell, to commission, maintain and train workers on production lines. tna developed this technology during the Covid-19 lockdowns, as travel was dramatically restricted, as was in-person contact of any kind. A client of tna wanted to be able to remotely design production lines and test them with their product. This pressure encouraged companies like tna and Rockwell to rapidly develop what still seems like incredibly futuristic technology to enable connectivity and productivity despite such physical and logistical barriers.  

Likewise with digitalisation, machine operators are now able to access and review production lines and equipment from a remote location, extracting and analysing the data to assess the machines efficiency and pre-empt any issues, so parts can be ordered, or maintenance can be scheduled ahead to reduce downtime and therefore increase productivity of a plant. With this knowledge, a machine can be relatively self-automated and switchover its own parts for format changes, as Sidel demonstrated with its new case packer at the show. 

While Covid-related restrictions may have all but eased, workforce-related challenges are now driven by labour and skills shortages, particularly in Europe, and especially in the UK. The advancements in digitalisation but particularly VR technology can mitigate the disruption caused by this shortfall as workers need less training and experience as they can be talked through changeovers and maintenance by the virtual simulation. If the machine is automated, then it can also maintain or changeover itself, again requiring fewer or less trained workers on the factory floor. 

With sustainability in mind, such developments can result in reduced travel necessities for customers in the design and development stages of machinery, as well as increased operating efficiency and reduced downtime, saving energy. Almost every company in attendance at interpack was eager to talk about sustainability, whether it be how their machinery is adapted to recyclable packaging materials, or how it is more energy efficient and therefore sustainable. Some made more tangible and impressive claims than others but all made claims, whether it be that they had reduced the plastic in their packaging by 10% or whether completely plastic free, as it is still such a buzz word that attracts every part of the supply chain. 

Having not attended the interpack six years ago, it’s hard to say precisely how much automation, digitalisation and sustainability trends have developed or emerged since then. However much of the innovations felt in their relatively early stages, especially the VR, which was still only just being realised on a commercial level, so it will be interesting to see how much more widespread and developed these futuristic innovations will be in 2026. 

• Kathryn Brand, associate editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: kathryn@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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Throughout its more than 20 year partnership with American Forests, Melitta has planted over 600,000 trees in landscapes across the country, making a substantial difference for wildlife, people and the environment. The One Million Tree Challenge helps to reduce the effects of climate change by restoring 4,000 acres of forest and absorbing 6,161 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. A single tree can capture 3.5 pounds of air pollutants – like ozone, dust and particulate matter – per year.

“Sustainability and giving back to our community are guiding values at Melitta. As a fourth generation, family-owned business, our commitment to future generations has always been at the core of what we do,” said Donna Gray, director at Melitta. “We continue to set aggressive goals to reduce our impact on the environment. In addition to our American Forests partnership, we are evolving our supply chain practices to be more eco-friendly, investing in solar panels for our roasting facility, and aligning our products with stringent eco-focused certifications. Our collective efforts support our mission to pursue better coffee for a better planet.”

For over a century, American Forests programs have helped ensure that large forest landscapes are healthy and resilient to the impacts of climate change. The organization has also contributed to environmental sustainability through programs in cities by helping develop and bring to life plans for planting and caring for trees in the neighborhoods that need trees the most.

“Melitta stands apart for its unwavering long-term commitment to our nation’s forests. Some of the trees that they helped to plant twenty years ago are now 15 feet tall and doing everything we’d hoped – providing habitat for wildlife, capturing carbon from the atmosphere, and filtering the water we drink,” said Austin Rempel, director of forest reforestation at American Forests. “With the One Million Tree Challenge, Melitta builds on this proud history and takes it even further.”

To learn more about and participate in Melitta’s One Million Tree Challenge, click here. To find out more about the American Forests partnership, visit americanforests.org. For more information on Melitta sustainability initiatives, visit melitta-group.com.

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Average prices for all group indicators decreased in March 2023, except for the Robustas. The Colombian Milds and Other Milds decreased by 5.5% and 3.2%, to 225.23 and 222.36 US cents/lb, respectively, in March 2023. However, the Brazilian Naturals lost 4.2% whilst the Robustas gained 2.5%, reaching an average of 187.02 and 106.49 US cents/lb. The London Futures market grew 2.5% whilst ICE’s New York market shrank by 2.6%.

The Colombian Milds-Other Milds led the way, shrinking 66.8% to 2.87 US cents/lb. Similarly, the Brazilian Naturals-Robustas and Colombian Milds-Robustas differentials both lost 11.7%, reaching 80.53 and 118.74 US cents/lb in March 2023. The Colombian Milds-Brazilian Naturals echoed this loss, closing in at 38.21 US cents/lb, a 11.6% loss from the month before. Presenting a more moderate loss, the Other Milds-Robustas differential contracted by 7.9%, closing the month at 115.87 US cents/lb. Conversely, the Other Milds-Brazilian Naturals differential expanded 2.3%, reaching 35.34 US cents/lb in March 2023. The arbitrage, as measured between the New York and London Futures market, contracted 8.2%, closing in at 79.57 US cents/lb in March 2023, from 86.67 US cents/lb in February 2023.

Intra-day volatility of the I-CIP decreased 0.6 percentage points between February 2023 and March 2023, reaching 8.1%. The Brazilian Naturals’ volatility presented the strongest volatility contraction, averaging 10.3% for the month of March 2023, a 1.8 percentage point loss. Echoing this reduction in volatility were the New York Futures and London markets, where 1.6 and 0.7 percentage points were lost, averaging 11% and 7.1%, respectively, for March 2023. Whilst volatility for the Other Milds remained stable at 8.8%, the Colombian Milds decreased by 0.5 percentage points to 8.7%. Conversely, the Robustas gained 0.1 percentage point of volatility from February to March, averaging 6.3% for the latter.

The New York certified stocks decreased 6.7% from the previous month, closing in at 0.80 million 60-kg bags, whilst certified stocks of Robusta coffee reached 1.27 million 60-kg bags, representing an increase of 7.2%.

Exports by Coffee Groups – Green Beans
Global green bean exports in February 2023 totalled 7.94 million bags, versus 9.95 million bags in the prior year month, down 20.23%. The downturn was spread across all coffee groups. As a result, the cumulative total exports of green beans for coffee year 2022/23 are decreasing at an accelerated rate, down 8.5%, as compared with the 5.5% decrease observed for the first four months of the current coffee year. The cumulative total for 2022/23 to February is 43.77 million bags as compared with 47.85 million bags over the same a year ago.

Shipments of the Other Milds decreased by 16.0% in February 2023 to 1.72 million bags from 2.04 million bags in the prior-year period. This is the fifth consecutive month of negative growth for green bean exports of the Other Milds since the start of the new coffee year. As a result, the cumulative volume of exports fell by 18.5% in the first five months of coffee year 2022/23 to 6.75 million bags from 8.28 million bags over the same period in coffee year 2021/22.

Green bean exports of the Brazilian Naturals fell in February 2023, diminishing by 33.0% to 2.34 million bags. For the first five months of coffee year 2022/23, green bean exports of the Brazilian Naturals amounted to 15.4 million bags, down 7.0% from 16.61 million bags over the same year-ago period. The shifting fortunes of the Brazilian Naturals reflected the changes in Brazil’s green bean exports, the biggest producer and exporter of the Brazilian Naturals, which fell 35.4% in February 2023 to 2.11 million bags from 3.27 million bags in February 2022.

Exports of the Colombian Milds decreased by 6.8% to 0.99 million bags in February 2023 from 1.06 million bags in February 2022, driven primarily by Colombia, the main origin of this group of coffee, whose exports of green beans were down 5.7% in February 2023. As a result of the continued downturn, exports of the Colombian Milds from October 2022 to February 2023 were down by 14.1%, at 4.67 million bags, versus 5.43 million bags in the first five months of coffee year 2021/22.

Green bean exports of the Robustas amounted to 2.89 million bags in February 2023, as compared with 3.35 million bags in February 2022, down 13.7%. As a result, the shipments in the first five months of coffee year 2022/23 were down to 16.91 million bags from 17.53 million bags in the same period in coffee year 2021/22.

Exports by Regions – All Forms of Coffee
In February 2023, South America’s exports of all forms of coffee decreased by 29.8% to 3.48 million bags, driven by the three main origins of the region, Brazil, Colombia and Peru, which saw their combined exports fall by 30.7%. The two major origins of the region, Brazil and Colombia, saw their respective shipments of coffee decrease by 32.5% and 5.1% in February 2023, falling to 2.41 million bags and 0.94 million bags. Peru is continuing to see its exports fall at a significantly faster rate, plunging by 44.6% in February 2023.

Exports of all forms of coffee from Asia and Oceania decreased by 15.3% to 2.99 million bags in February 2023 and were down 5.6% to 17.4 million bags in the first five months of coffee year 2022/23. Vietnam and India are the main drivers behind the latest downturn. The former’s exports are down by 25.3% to 1.79 million bags from 2.39 million bags in February 2022, while the latter’s also fell 9.5% to 0.49 million bags from 0.54 million bags in the same period.

Exports of all forms of coffee from Africa increased by 2.2% to 1.02 million bags in February 2023 from 1.0 million bags in February 2022. For the first five months of the current coffee year, exports totalled 5.23 million bags as compared with 5.15 million bags in coffee year 2021/22, up 1.4%.

Uganda is the main driver behind the jump in the region’s exports, with shipments of coffee increasing by 6.6% to 0.48 million bags as compared with 0.45 million bags in February 2022. Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo are three other origins of note for February 2023, with their exports up 62.5%, 18.1% and 30.0%, respectively, adding to Uganda’s upward impetus within the region. Kenya was another notable origin in February 2023, though for different reasons, with exports down 43.5%.

In February 2023, exports of all forms of coffee from Mexico and Central America were up 2.4% to 1.42 million bags as compared with 1.39 million in February 2022. For the first five months of the current coffee year, however, exports remain down 10.1%, totalling 4.03 million bags as compared with 4.48 million bags in October–February 2021/22. However, the region’s latest export results broke the four consecutive months of negative growth thanks to Costa Rica (up 6.2%), Dominican Republic (up 95.6%), El Salvador (up 12.9%) and Nicaragua (up 35.1%).

Exports of Coffee by Forms
Total exports of soluble coffee increased by 5.8% in February 2023 to 0.92 million bags from 0.87 million bags in February 2022. In the first five months of coffee year 2022/23, a total of 4.59 million bags of soluble coffee were exported, representing a decrease of 11.2% from the 5.09 million bags exported in the same period during the previous coffee year. Soluble coffee’s share in the total exports of all forms of coffee was 10.2% (measured on a moving 12-month average) in February 2023, up from 10.1% in February 2022. Brazil is the largest exporter of soluble coffee, shipping 0.3 million bags in February 2023.

Exports of roasted beans were up 6.2% in February 2023 to 50,140 bags, versus 47,212 bags in February 2022. The cumulative total for coffee year 2022/23 to February 2023 was 292,247 bags, as compared with 336,790 bags in same period a year ago.

Production and Consumption
World coffee production slipped by 1.4% to 168.5 million bags in coffee year 2021/22, hampered by the off-biennial production and negative meteorological conditions in several key origins. However, it is expected to bounce back by 1.7% to 171.3 million bags in 2022/23.

Increased global fertiliser costs and adverse weather conditions are expected to partially offset the positive impact of biennial production from Brazil, explaining the relatively low rate of growth in coffee year 2022/23. The impact of biennial production is anticipated to drive the outlook for Arabica, which is projected to increase by 4.6% to 98.6 million bags in coffee year 2022/23, following a 7.2% decrease the previous coffee year.

Reflecting its cyclical output, Arabica’s share of the total coffee production is expected to increase to 57.5% from 55.9% in coffee year 2021/22. South America is and will remain the largest producer of coffee in the world, despite suffering from the largest drop in output for almost 20 years, which fell by 7.6% in coffee year 2021/22. The recovery in coffee year 2022/23, partly driven by biennial production, is expected to push the region’s output to 82.4 million bags, a rise of 6.2%.

World coffee consumption increased by 4.2% to 175.6 million bags in coffee year 2021/22, following a 0.6% rise the previous year. Release of the pent-up demand built-up during the Covid-19 years and sharp global economic growth of 6.0% in 2021, explains the bounce back in coffee consumption in coffee year 2021/22.

Decelerating world economic growth rates for 2022 and 2023, coupled with the dramatic rise in the cost of living, will have an impact on the coffee consumption for coffee year 2022/23. It is expected to grow, but at a decelerating rate of 1.7% to 178.5 million bags. The global deceleration is expected to come from non-producing countries, with Europe’s coffee consumption predicted to suffer the largest decrease among all regions, with growth rates falling to 0.1% in coffee year 2022/23 from a 6.0% expansion in coffee year 2021/22.

As a result, the world coffee market is expected to undergo another year of deficit, with a shortfall of 7.3 million bags.

This outlook is taken from the newest publication of the Statistics Section of the Secretariat of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the Coffee Report and Outlook (CRO). The CRO offers an insight into the factors moving the global coffee industry in the most recent past and draws out the potential events that may drive the industry in the near future. For further information on the CRO, please contact the Statistics Section at stats@ico.org.

For the full report, visit: icocoffee.org.

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These latest options build on the momentum of 2022, when Dorset, England-based Clipper Tea announced a rebrand of its entire everyday line in the US to better differentiate its offerings to a new generation of tea drinkers, including existing flavours Organic English Breakfast Black Tea, Organic Strawberry & Elderflower Herbal Tea, Organic Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea and Organic Snore & Peace Chamomile & Lavender Herbal Tea, as well as the launch of three new flavours: Organic Earl Grey Black Tea, Organic Orange & Turmeric Herbal Tea and Organic Green Tea & Lemon.

Last fall, Clipper Tea also released two seasonal varieties – Organic Winter Apple & Cinnamon Herbal Tea and Organic Winter Spiced Berry Herbal Tea – that will continue to be available for a limited time to keep consumers warm through the winter tea season.

“At Clipper Tea, we hope to bring delicious innovation to the tea category with a sense of fun that meets our consumers’ wants and needs,” said Heather Black, US marketing manager. “The 80-pack Organic Decaf Black Tea has always been a fan favourite in the UK, so we’re excited to make it available in the US in an easy-to-enjoy 20-pack. Our tea selection box makes it effortless to sample a variety of our teas or gift to a tea lover who appreciates charming packaging and ethical sourcing.”

Clipper Tea’s Organic Decaf Black Tea is a blend of Assam Fairtrade certified black tea that promises a rich, smooth and robust taste with malty notes and a balanced finish. While black tea is typically caffeinated, Fortune Business Insights projects an increase in decaffeinated tea consumption in the coming years, both due to its associated health benefits and increased consumer interest in caffeine-free beverages.

In addition to being a bestseller in the 80-pack currently available through Amazon, the Organic Decaf Black Tea was the 2019 winner of a UK Great Taste Award. The new 20-pack will also include individually wrapped bags with strings and tags, keeping each bag fresh and making them convenient to enjoy at home or on the go.

“As one of our most popular teas, we’re excited to offer this new 20-pack size for the increasing number of tea drinkers looking for a caffeine-free black tea. Our decaffeination process uses carbon dioxide, a completely natural resource, found in the air we breathe, making it a standout decaf black tea,” said Black.

Recent trends showed that variety packs have increased in popularity as they allow consumers the option to test more than one tea to figure out their flavour preferences, without the hassle or cost of buying multiple packs. Clipper Tea released an Organic Herbal & Green Tea Selection Box in August of 2022 that was perfect for samplers and in 2023 is expanding its availability to retail.

The box includes teas sourced from across the globe as Clipper Tea’s expert team travels the world looking for the best tea gardens to source, select and blend every tea flavour to provide a perfectly delectable and balanced cuppa. The selection box includes Organic Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea, Organic Snore & Peace Chamomile & Lavender Herbal Tea, Organic Strawberry & Elderflower Herbal Tea, Organic Orange and Turmeric Herbal Tea and Organic Green Tea & Lemon, with each bag individually wrapped.

Clipper Tea products come in recyclable packaging, with plant-based, biodegradable, unbleached and non-GMO tea bags that are plastic free. According to the Tea Association of the USA, consumers have started to shift their purchasing preferences, seeking teas that are eco-friendly and benefit the growers. All the continuing and new flavours are USDA Organic, non-GMO Project Verified and Certified B-Corp, with all black and green teas Fairtrade certified. Clipper Tea is the world’s biggest buyer of Fairtrade certified black and green teas, supporting more than 114,000 farmers, workers and their families across the globe.

Clipper Tea products are available for purchase (USD $6.99 MSRP per 20-pack box; $19.99 MSRP per selection box) in select retailers across the country and on Amazon, with distribution increasing through 2023.

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Hospitality businesses of all shapes and sizes fundraise by donating from every cup or bag of coffee sold, or by running events and activities in store.

A host of activities will be taking place across the country, including Latte Art Throwdowns, raffle competitions with great prizes, espresso martini parties, and more. Coffee enthusiasts can find out where the closest coffee shop is that will be taking part by visiting the UK Coffee Week map and What’s On page.

The UK Coffee Week bus will also be back for an interactive pop-up at Boxpark Shoreditch on the 13th and 14th of October. The bus will be serving up free plant powered coffee from Alpro and Caravan Coffee Roasters.

Since 2011, the UK Coffee Week community has raised over £800,000 for Project Waterfall, reaching over 45,000 people with clean drinking water, sanitation and education.

The funds raised during UK Coffee Week 2022 will go to Project Waterfall’s new initiative in the Berbere district of Ethiopia. 40,000 people will have access to clean water and sanitation when this three-year project is completed.

“UK Coffee Week is about celebrating the coffee industry as well as supporting coffee-growing communities. The campaign is an opportunity for us to all come together and make a real impact on the communities that grow our coffee by providing them with a sustainable source of clean drinking water and sanitation,” said Rebecca Hodgson, director of Project Waterfall and UK Coffee Week. “As Project Waterfall’s flagship fundraising campaign, UK Coffee Week gives every coffee shop the power to make a difference no matter their size, while engaging their team and having fun!”

More than 770 million people around the world do not have access to clean water. The majority live in isolated, rural areas – the same areas growing our coffee. Project Waterfall was established by Jeffrey Young in 2011 to unite the coffee industry and coffee consumers to give back to the communities growing our coffee, by investing in sustainable clean water, sanitation and hygiene projects.

Headline sponsor Alpro, and category sponsors Fulfil and Green Rock Manufacturing, are excited to support the campaign. Graham Kelly, head of coffee at Alpro, said, “As a long-standing supporter of UK Coffee Week, we are excited to be taking this a step further by becoming headline sponsor in 2022. Project Waterfall is an excellent initiative, and we are proud that we are playing a bigger role this year in driving even more donations.”

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To fuel its sustainability goals, Dunkin’ has partnered with like-minded organisations. Together they’re working to support the regions where Dunkin’s coffee grows and make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of coffee farmers and producers.

The Dunkin’ Drive-To Sustainability Program is comprised of three pillars: verification, partnerships, and improvement. As part of the first pillar, we are partnering with Enveritas, a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded to overcome systemic barriers that prevent the application of proven solutions for ending poverty among smallholder coffee growers.

By leveraging its Coffee Policy and third-party verification with Enveritas, Dunkin’ aims to improve standards with US roasters and international licensees, audit its US coffee supply chain to ensure policy compliance, and track key performance indicators toward continuous improvement efforts.

Some of Dunkin’s efforts under its pillars of Partnerships and Improvement include:
• Supported the planting of 450,000 trees in coffee growing regions of Honduras and Guatemala in 2021 with a donation to One Tree Planted, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping the environment by planting trees in countries around the world.
• Trained farmers and farmworkers in Honduras through its Farmworker Training Project alongside the Louis Dreyfus Company. This project enhanced Dunkin’s suppliers’ abilities to make improvements on sustainability issues.
• Boosting coffee sustainability through agricultural science as a leading sponsor of the nonprofit World Coffee Research (WCR). A percentage of sales from every pound of Original Blend coffee beans sold to Dunkin’ franchisees for use in Dunkin’ restaurants go to WCR.
• Since 2018, Dunkin’ has been a part of The Sustainable Coffee Challenge, a collaborative effort led by Conservation International to make coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product.
• To empower women in coffee, Dunkin’ has supported providing coffee suppliers in Guatemala and Colombia with access to Equal Origins’ Virtual Learning Journey.
• Over the next three years, alongside global agri-business company Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), Dunkin’ will help 350 coffee-farming families in Santa Barbara and Comayagua, Honduras become more economically sustainable and better environmental stewards through trainings and improved crop yields.

To learn more, visit impact.inspirebrands.com.

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The new publication provides insights on the sustainable coffee purchases of JDE Peet’s, Melitta Group, Keurig Dr Pepper, Nestlé, Strauss Coffee, SUPRACAFÉ, Tesco and Westrock Coffee, all of whom have committed to disclosing their responsible sourcing progress using aligned, comparable metrics. According to GCP, the eight leading coffee companies have taken exemplary public action by transparently sharing their sustainable coffee purchase volumes in the new report, published on Tuesday.

“Over the past four years, innovative Collective Reporting of Sustainable Coffee Purchases from prominent coffee companies in GCP’s Snapshot has provided transparent information showing the sector how increases of sustainable coffee purchases are expanding the global marketplace for sustainable coffees,” said GCP executive director, Annette Pensel. “As regulatory, financial and reporting environments continue to evolve, GCP Snapshot partners are providing substantial leadership, actions, and impact to foster increased production and consumption of sustainable coffees throughout the world.”

This year’s report is the result of GCP’s expanding collective reporting efforts, which has included new participating GCP Members, new reporting features, and an expansion of sustainability schemes eligible for reporting by using the GCP Baseline Coffee Code as a reference. The following GCP-recognised sustainability schemes have been included for reporting on 2021 volumes:

•3rd Party Schemes: 4C, Certifica Minas, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance/UTZ, and Starbucks’ C.A.F.E. Practices;
•2nd Party Schemes: Ecom’s SMS, Enveritas Gold, Enveritas Green, Nespresso AAA, ofi’s AtSource Entry Verified and AtSource Plus, LIFT by Mercon, and Neumann’s NKG Bloom.

Highlights of the GCP Snapshot include data on the increasing share of sustainable coffee purchases as reported by GCP Members for 2021, climbing up to 1,254,141 MT (55% of total received green coffee – a relative increase of 29% compared to 2020). The report also presents the breakdown of purchases per participating company, as well as a feature on companies’ sustainable coffee purchases according to sourcing regions. Moreover, it offers insights into origin diversity (sustainable coffee purchases received from 33 coffee-producing countries), and the shares of sustainable coffee purchased according to different GCP-recognised sustainability schemes.

“While important work is underway, even bolder individual and collaborative efforts are needed to achieve transformational change that results in economic viability of sustainable coffee farming and a living income for producers and workers while preserving nature and addressing climate change, effectively,” said Pensel. “We’re excited by the progress made and look forward to welcoming more roasters and retailers reporting in the next GCP Snapshot.”

The full report is available to read here.

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The campaign will premiere on ITV and Channel 4 and run throughout the London region between 5 – 30 September via hyper-targeted TV and video on demand, airing to over 2.1 million viewers.

Created by Pablo, the 20 second advert tells the story of Clipper as a renowned sustainable tea pioneer, showcasing its blend of natural and fair teas, which have received over 68 Great Taste Awards in the last five years. The production blends illustration with kinetic text, calling on Britain’s tea drinkers to make tea the best way, with the finest organic and 100% natural ingredients, brewed in an unbleached, plastic-free tea bag. Watch the ad via YouTube here.

The launch will be supported by PR, social media, and paid media promotion across the four-week period.

Earlier this year, Clipper rolled out its ‘Make it Better’ marketing drive, challenging consumers not to settle when it comes to their favourite daily brew.

“At Clipper Teas, creating great tasting, responsibly made tea is at the heart of everything we do. Through our new TV advert, we’re bringing to life everything our brand stands for in a joyfully vibrant way,” Bryan Martins, Clipper Teas marketing & category director at parent company, Ecotone UK, said, adding, “the illustrated art direction puts our award-winning, quality blends and unrivalled flavour, centre stage. It’s the perfect crescendo to our Make it Better campaign this year.”

Clipper’s campaign media was planned and bought by Wavemaker Select, with social run by Finn, and PR & Influencer marketing handled by Highlight PR.

Clipper Teas is one of the fastest growing tea brands in the UK tea market, now growing at 20% in a previously declining category.

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As research cites coffee as a crop significantly threatened by climate change (per Grüter et al, 2022: “Expected global suitability of coffee, cashew and avocado due to climate change.”), Enveritas’s data-based system measures conditions at the point of origin to identify farmers and communities most in need of agronomic and other assistance, and tracks progress of impact projects to ensure community support is effective.

“This responsible sourcing achievement is the result of a multi-year data collection process to verify the conditions and practices of the more than 59,000, mostly small coffee farms in 24 regions around the world who supply coffee beans for Peet’s Coffee,” said Doug Welsh, vice president and roastmaster of the Emeryville, California-based roaster retailer.

In 2016, Peet’s Coffee began working with Enveritas because the non-profit offers a different way of addressing sustainability – an approach where producers access free verification of their practices, while encouraging a deeper understanding and commitment to solving the most challenging sustainability issues in their local community. Working collaboratively, Peet’s and Enveritas designed a custom coffee-specific verification program that uses, among other techniques, artificial intelligence (AI) and geo-spatial technology to gather independent, data-rich reports of conditions on coffee farms.

These conditions are verified against 30 sustainability standards set by Enveritas, which has performed more than 20,000 annual audits across Peet’s coffee supply chain. Peet’s shares the results of these audits with its suppliers and, if issues are identified, collaborates with importers, governments, non-profits, competitors and, most importantly, its farmer partners to develop impact projects tailored to the needs of farmers and their communities. Peet’s currently operates 39 social and environmental impact programs in 24 regions.

“Coffee is more than a source of energy or enjoyment for the millions of people worldwide who farm coffee for their livelihood, as a family legacy and way of life,” said Welsh. “At Peet’s, responsible sourcing requires that we identify challenges, invest in projects that improve lives, and then measure that progress. The reach of this accomplishment – applying consistent sustainability standards to all the coffee we roast – is just the beginning. If we can achieve this across our global system at Peet’s, other coffee roasters can as well. Our collaborative approach will help advance progress and create more tailored, relevant support for coffee farmers and their home communities.”

Over several decades, Peet’s Coffee’s sourcing experts, led by Welsh, have worked to better understand challenging social and environmental conditions on coffee farms and the impact on smallholder farmers, who produce more than 60% of the world’s coffee. Peet’s Coffee has established viable sourcing systems and partnerships with highly credible organisations including World Coffee Research, TechnoServe and Enveritas to inform the company’s practices and achieve greater reach in improving coffee production.

“Many coffee companies are satisfied with paying for a label that says their coffee is certified, but few companies are actually tracking that data to determine opportunities for change and real progress,” said David Browning, CEO of Enveritas. “Peet’s Coffee came to us several years ago with the challenge to customise a data collection system to track actual practices in the regions where they source coffee beans. The company wanted to know with certainty how Peet’s coffee is grown and then help improve conditions within each community through targeted projects. The verification audits we perform are rigorous, and the data details actual practices in place for accuracy and year-over-year analysis. It is a model that will help individual producers and the industry evolve to better address climate change and other associated, complex challenges.”

Accelerating Peet’s Coffee’s pioneering collaboration with Enveritas, global partner, JDE Peet’s, the parent company of Peet’s Coffee, recently announced it will increase its responsibly sourced coffee from 30% to 80% by the end of 2022.

Peet’s Coffee will continue to provide timely updates on its efforts to drive positive impact. For more information about Peet’s verification process and Sourcing with Impact programs, visit: peets.com/impact.

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The Leafies are the first dedicated tea awards in the United Kingdom to highlight carefully crafted teas from all over the world. They will bring together high-profile tea experts to assess and award high grade, artisan teas in over 30 categories. Judging criteria will consider the farming and processing of the teas as well as the stories and the people behind the gardens.

One Gold will be awarded to a tea in each category, with Highly Commended awarded at the judges’ discretion. Tea categories include white, green, dark, oolong, jasmine, matcha and many more. Special awards will be given to those effecting positive change for the environment, the industry and their community.

Jane Pettigrew, co-founder and director of studies at the UKTA said, “We are thrilled to be launching the International Tea Academy Awards, The Leafies, in partnership with Fortnum & Mason. They mark the first dedicated UK tea awards to celebrate the astonishing diversity of crafted teas from every tea-producing region in the world.”

A selection of winners will be given the opportunity to have their teas sold at Fortnum & Mason’s internationally renowned Rare Tea Counter. F&M tea buyer, Ottilie Cunningham, said of the partnership, “Fortnum & Mason [is] delighted to be involved with The Leafies, created to champion the values of family producers, small batch teas and inspiring tea companies. We are looking forward to discovering some exciting new teas for our Rare Tea Counter.”

Jane Pettigrew and Ottilie Cunningham, alongside a selection of the UK Tea Academy’s specialist tutors, are the first of the expert panel of judges to be confirmed.

Entrants can register their interest for the awards now through the UKTA’s website to receive exclusive updates. The awards cost £50 per tea entry. Completed applications and teas will need to be sent during August and September, with judging taking place in October at The Scottish Tea Factory and in London. Winners will be announced at The Leafies Award Ceremony at an iconic London venue.

For those interested in participating in the inaugural The Leafies, visit: ukteaacademy.co.uk/the-leafies.

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In 2021, Peet’s Coffee, the US subsidiary of JDE Peet’s, reached 100% responsibly sourced coffee through its partnership with Enveritas, a non-government organisation that has developed a new, data-driven approach to sustainability assurance. Enveritas offers a different way of addressing sustainability – an approach where producers access free verification of their practices, while encouraging a deeper understanding and commitment to solving the most challenging sustainability issues. To date, Enveritas has verified more than 200,000 coffee farms around the world against a complete set of sustainability standards. JDE Peet’s will now leverage the partnership with Enveritas across its broader coffee supply chain, allowing it to reach its ambition of 100% responsibly sourced coffee by 2025.

“JDE Peet’s is deeply committed to creating a sustainable future for the customers and consumers we serve while creating long-term value for the business and our stakeholders,” said Fabien Simon, CEO of JDE Peet’s. “Being the world’s leading pure-play coffee and tea company comes with great responsibility to ensure the resilience of the global coffee supply, in an authentic, inclusive and regenerative way. With this partnership and increased investments, we are elevating industry standards, and are committed to play our part to create a better future for our farmers, their families and the entire coffee ecosystem.”

These announcements form an integral part of JDE Peet’s’ Sustainability programme, which aims to partner with suppliers, NGOs, and others to address key sustainability challenges in the countries from which JDE Peet’s sources its coffee, tea and other agricultural ingredients. Through this programme, the company has already reached over 470,000 smallholder farmers with more than 50 collaborative projects across 18 countries since 2015.

“We touch all stages of the coffee and tea ecosystem, from farmers to consumers, and therefore have an obligation to develop both near- and long-term solutions to protect the world we live in,” said Laurent Sagarra, global quality and sustainability director of JDE Peet’s. “Setting this ambitious target is part of our journey to lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.”

Today’s announcement follows the company’s recent commitments to SBTi-approved greenhouse gas emission reduction targets across its value chain. To learn more about JDE Peet’s’ sustainability journey, please visit jdepeets.com/sustainability.

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