Global Coffee Roundup: August 13–19, 2025 – Climate, Jargon, Dishes, Prices, Policy & News

ADITYA Kumar
1 day ago
3 min read

Coffee Prices Surge to New Heights

The wild ride continues in the global coffee market! Coffee prices surged again this week, finishing on August 19 at $348.98/lb, a 1.56% jump from just the day before. If it feels like everyone’s talking about the price of beans, they are—for good reason:

Up 8% this month: Prices rocketed up in August, reaching $308.72/lb by August 8 with an eye-catching one-day leap of 3.9%.
Year-over-year, up 41.6%: If you felt your coffee habit denting your wallet, you’re not alone—globally, coffee is at its most expensive in at least a decade.
Short-term forecast: Analysts expect a continued climb, with trading houses eyeing $355+/lb by next quarter and possibly $388/lb+ within a year.
Why so expensive? Climate shocks and supply headaches in Brazil and Vietnam, plus speculative trading and anxiety over future crops, are driving the volatility.

Climate & Environmental Developments

Climate change remains the not-so-silent ingredient in your morning cup:

Extreme weather: Key regions suffered drought and wild weather, striking right at harvest time for some of the world’s best beans.
COP30 buzz: All eyes are on Brazil, host of the COP30 climate summit this November, a major moment for agricultural policy and sustainability in coffee’s largest producer country.
Record price peaks: Arabica soared past $4.30/lb earlier in 2025, echoing just how tightly climate and coffee markets are intertwined. The message? No climate stability, no price stability.

Want to explore more about how climate is shaking up coffee? Check out our deep dives and sustainability stories at woodpeckerscoffee.com.

Coffee Jargon & Language Trends

Coffee culture always has new slang brewing. Here’s what’s trending this week:

“Tariff Coffee”: With tariffs in the global news, folks are tossing around this term to mean any bean affected by trade taxes—usually price-jacked imports.
“Gesha Premium”: After this month’s auction record (see below!), “Gesha Premium” is shorthand for ultra-high end, rare, and often wild-tasting micro-lots.
“RTD (Ready-to-Drink)”: This lingo’s everywhere, as grab-and-go coffee explodes in popularity. If it comes chilled in a can—or with added protein—it’s RTD.

Bonus: In café circles, “bean volatility” is getting used in fun ways to describe both the wild price swings and the unpredictable flavor trends among specialty roasters.

Record-Breaking Coffee Dishes & Brews

When it comes to what’s in your cup (or in your newsfeed), there’s always something fresh:

Most Expensive Brew Ever?: The Panama Best of Panama auction shattered records: Hacienda La Esmeralda’s washed Gesha fetched an unfathomable $30,204/kg.
What’s driving the hype: Rare origins, the allure of “single-origin” stories, and the taste adventure—floral, tea-like Panama Gesha is having its global moment.
RTD, but fancier: Ready-to-drink is moving upscale, with cold brews and protein lattes targeting gym-goers and busy commuters.
Espresso, unchanged classic: While the gadgets are smart and capsule machines thrive, the global love affair with a handcrafted espresso shot is stronger than ever.

Want to sample some top-notch, Indian-grown alternatives? Browse our latest single origins at our store.

Policy & Packaging: Updates from the Field

Coffee isn’t just beans and brews—it’s big business and busy legislators:

Packaging policies advancing: States like New Jersey are ramping up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), meaning coffee roasters and brands might soon have stricter packaging, recycling, and sustainability requirements.
PCR mandates: Recycled content (“PCR”) minimums are coming into effect, meaning the next bag in your hand might be greener than ever.
What to watch: The US, Europe, and Asia are sharpening their packaging rules, which could push the industry toward more compostable and refillable formats.

At Woodpeckers, we’re already exploring more planet-friendly packaging for everything from our retro cup to your favorite coffee powder packs.

Coffee Market & Culture: Quick Bites

RTD Market Boom: The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market hit $26.25B in 2024 and is expected to double by 2034. Gen Z and millennials are driving the trend—think grab-and-go, low sugar, high protein.
Habit to lifestyle: RTD is now a daily ritual for many, not just an occasional treat.
New product drops: Watch for more cold brews, nitro cans, and local Indian innovations in the weeks ahead.
COP30’s impact: The November summit is set to spark even more eco-trend chatter on farm-to-cup transparency, carbon labeling, and climate-smart sourcing.

Have a Coffee Question or a Story to Share?

What’s brewing in your world this week? Drop by our café, say hi online, or shoot us a DM if there’s news you’d love us to cover in the next roundup.

Looking for your next cup of inspiration? Discover our sustainable picks and exclusive brews at woodpeckerscoffee.com.