STiR coffee and tea magazine

Volume 3, Number 3

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28 STiR tea & coffee industry international Coffee Price Volatility The biggest jump in the International Coffee Organization's composite indicator price since May 1997 is tough news for coffee producers locked into contracts signed at the end of 2013 before prices surged. What a difference two months can make—the composite reached more than $1.70 per pound half a dozen times in March in stark compari- son to the prices below $1 levels in November. Arabica prices have risen more than Robusta so far, though c-market prices have all gone up. As we reported earlier this year, many buyers began booking contracts early due to concern about how roya would affect harvest size and quality. Poorly timed draught in Brazil has only ensured that major players like Starbucks, Keurig Green Mountain, J.M. Smucker, and others will continue that practice for months to come though it is far too early to know what impact it will have on harvest there. To follow commodity pricing, visit: www.ico.org Australia 167 Roasters Compete The Australian International Coffee Awards (AICA), Australia's first interna- tional coffee roasting competition, had 167 roasters and a record 800 entries, from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore enter this year. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) runs the AICA to promote excellence in coffee roasting. Categories included Espresso, Milk Based Coffee, Filter Coffee and Syphon Coffee. "We are delighted that roasters from the Asia Pacific region have entered their coffee into the Australian International Coffee Awards. It is a unique opportunity for them to benchmark their products against competitors and to have their coffee assessed by a panel of industry experts," said RASV c.e.o. Mark O'Sullivan. The AICA trophy winners will be announced at the Melbourne Interna- tional Coffee Expo (MICE). Learn more: www.rasv.com.au/ Events/AICA_Home/ Bhutan Organic Coffee Delayed HANGAY — Samden tea general manager Hemant Gurung was quoted in a news report as saying Bhutan's first coffee plantation will not sell coffee this year. The Kingdom of Bhutan, a land- locked country of less than 15,000 square miles, is bounded by China to the north and by India on the east, south, and west. The estate is being developed in Samtse near the Sipsu River. According to the story, in Kuensel Online, Bhutan's daily news site, the operation was unable to secure sufficient funds to proceed on the scale originally planned. The Hangay-based company initially imported 100 kg of coffee seed from Nepal in 2009 with an additional 15% sourced locally. "We inaugurated the project in mid-2011," said Gurung, "But by the time we were ready to take up the work by 2012, country was hit with rupee crunch." Gurung explained the project was unable to distribute 6,000 coffee saplings to all the gewogs, or village blocks, the project had targeted. "We had to retrench almost 220 villagers, because of insufficient work and funds," Gurung said. "But we had meeting with the villagers and we'll take them back once the situation improves." While stalled, Gurung continues to work to bring organic Arabica beans to commercial production. The coffee is now expected to reach market in 2015 or 2016. Brazil Dunkin' Donuts Expands Dunkin' Donuts announced that it has signed an agreement to develop 65 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Brasilia and Goias areas over the next several years. Paul Twohig, president, Dunkin' Donuts U.S. and Canada, and Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Europe and Latin America, said, "We feel there is significant opportunity for the Dunkin' Donuts brand in Brazil and are delighted to announce the signing of our agree- ment with OLH Group to enter the market." Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Brazil will feature the brand's wide range of coffees, teas, espresso-based beverages and Coolatta frozen drinks. The brand will also offer regional menu items specific to Brazil to cater to local tastes. "Dunkin' Donuts is one of the world's leading coffee and baked goods chains, so we are very excited to bring its range of delicious beverages, sandwiches and baked goods to Brazil," said Leandro Oliva, President of OLH Group. " Dunkin' Donuts is still looking to recruit qualified, multi-unit franchisee candidates to develop the brand in other markets in Brazil, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Learn more: www. ddglobalfranchising.com. El Salvador School Soccer Funds The owners of Caffe Ladro and Zoka Coffee Company brought a $3,000 donation with them on a recent buying trip to El Salvador. The check to the Canton Ojo de Agua school in El Salvador to fund creation of a soccer field. Jack Kelly, of Caffe Ladro, and Jeff Babcock, of Zoka Coffee Company, got the idea on a visit in 2013. Kelly and Babcock wanted to deepen the connec- tion to the farm communities they buy from. "When we visit farms, and stay with the owners and workers, we develop lasting friendships with the people who grow our coffee. The experience is powerful," explained Kelly. Last spring, when they first sold the Natamaya coffee to Seattle customers, the owners agreed to donate a portion of the sales to aide a school associated with that farm. Learn more: www.caffeladro.com and www.zokacoffee.com Germany 4C Comment Period Opens According to the 4C Association, a Bonn, Germany-based group, the One dollar for soccer coffee Coffee Report Jenny Neill

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