Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/694455
STiR tea & coffee industry international 13 NEWS Keeping a Watch on WHO Coffee Review The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in May conducted an eight-day convocation to study coffee that bears watching. The organization has conduced similar assessments on more than 900 different foods, chemicals, and additives, concluding a cancer-link in all but one case. While under growing scrutiny for its proceedings, these findings often lead to damaging media headlines and misunder- stand, according to the National Coffee Association (NCA). "NCA has been working since last June to follow the current review with the goal of ensuring that the review process, and any media coverage that results, is fair and balanced," the organization stated in its weekly newsletter. Follow developments at NCA "Coffee and Me" microsite. Learn more: www.nca.org. Sales of Cold Brew to Double The popularity of cold brew coffee from double shots on ice to nitro-infused coffee on tap will double sales in the next three years, according to Starbucks. US iced coffee consumption has grown by 75% during the past decade and cold brew sales soared by 339% between 2010-15, according to Mintel International. Starbucks an- nounced it will offer six variations in its rollout of a cold bar menu in the US and Canada. The company reported a 20% increase in the overall iced portfolio at its retail stores. Coffee Exports Near Record Volume Total exports for the first half of the coffee year (Oct-Mar) were 55.5 million 60-kilo bags according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO). March exports were up 10.4 million bags compared to the previous year, contributing to a 1.6% overall increase, the second-highest volume on record (only 14,000 bags less than 2012/13). Arabica exports were up 7.6% to 35.8 million bags. In Brazil, exports were 36.5 million bags, down slightly from 36.9 million bags but the second highest volume on record. Colombia produced 43,000 bags in April, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. Export volume of robusta coffees fell during the same period to 19.7 million bags, a decline of 7.7%. ICO Longest Serving Director Dies at 92 Alexandre Beltrão, considered one of the International Coffee Organization's (ICO) most influential and innovative executive directors, passed away in April. Beltrão served from 1968 through 1994. He contributed to launching the Coffee Development Group in the USA during the 1980s, and advised the Specialty Coffee Association. He was c.e.o. of the Paraná Institute of Technology (Tecpar) from 1995- 1998, modernizing the institute and transforming it into an important center for science and technology.