Global Coffee Weekly Roundup: Jan 20 – Jan 26, 2026
- ADITYA Kumar
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Hey coffee lovers! Welcome back to another edition of our Global Coffee Weekly Roundup. Grab your favorite mug and let's dive into what's been brewing around the world this past week. Spoiler alert: Mother Nature's been busy, and so have the coffee traders.
☕ Price Watch: A Rollercoaster Week
It's been an interesting week for coffee prices. Here's the quick breakdown:
Arabica took a bit of a dip early in the week, touching one-month lows. Why? Beneficial rains finally arrived in Brazil's key growing regions, easing drought concerns that had been keeping traders on edge. But don't get too comfortable: prices bounced back later in the week as global supply worries lingered.
Robusta had a different story. March 2026 contracts jumped $106 to hit $4,132 per tonne, while May contracts climbed $93 to $4,036 per tonne. The surge came amid ongoing global market pressures and tight supplies.
And just when you thought things were calming down, flooding in Indonesia pushed arabica to a 2-week high by week's end. March arabica finished up 2.05%, with robusta posting a 2.5-week high.
The takeaway? Coffee markets remain volatile. For us at Woodpeckers Coffee Trading House, it's a reminder why we focus on building strong, long-term relationships with our farmers: stability matters for everyone in the supply chain.
🌍 Country Updates: What's Happening on the Ground
Brazil: Rain Finally Arrives
The coffee gods heard Brazil's prayers. After months of drought concerns, beneficial rains have finally arrived in Minas Gerais: the heartland of Brazilian coffee production. This is huge news.
What it means:
Conab (Brazil's agricultural agency) has revised production estimates upward
Early January shipments hit 1.07 million bags as traders got back to business after the holidays
The improved outlook is putting downward pressure on global prices
Brazil remains the world's largest coffee producer, so when they sneeze, the whole market catches a cold. Or in this case, when they get rain, prices ease up a bit.
Vietnam: Harvest Season in Full Swing
Vietnam's new harvest beans are flooding the market (in a good way), and the numbers are impressive:
17.5% export growth compared to last year
Fresh Robusta supplies hitting international markets
Strong demand from traditional buyers
Vietnam's Robusta dominance continues to shape global coffee economics. If you're a fan of bold, earthy coffee blends or Vietnamese-style iced coffee, you're benefiting from this bumper crop.
India: Playing the Waiting Game
Here at home, the Indian coffee scene is... interesting. Harvest activity is underway, but there's a catch:
Farmers are holding back stock, hoping for better prices down the line
Export earnings surged 22.5% in 2025, despite actual shipment volumes dipping
A projected export dip is on the horizon as growers play a strategic waiting game
It's a bit of a gamble, but Indian coffee farmers are no strangers to market dynamics. The quality of Indian arabica and robusta remains excellent: something we're proud to source for our artisan coffee offerings.
Ethiopia: Steady and Strong
Ethiopia continues to flex its muscles as a coffee trading powerhouse. This week brought news of:
Steady export growth maintaining momentum
Government officials meeting with Starbucks to discuss expanded sourcing
Talks about farmer support and quality improvement programs
As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia's role in the global market remains vital. Their unique heirloom varieties and natural processing methods produce some of the most distinctive flavors you'll ever taste.
Indonesia: Big Ambitions
Indonesia isn't just growing coffee: they're planning to become a global coffee hub. Following the inauguration of the Asian Trade, Tourism, and Economics Council in Jakarta, the government announced ambitious plans to expand their role in the international coffee trade.
The recent flooding did cause some short-term supply concerns (hence the price spike), but the long-term crop outlook remains strong.
Colombia: A Small Speed Bump
Not all news is rosy. Colombia is facing some downward production revisions this week. While not catastrophic, it's a reminder that coffee farming is never predictable. Weather patterns, disease pressures, and labor availability all play a role.
Colombian coffee remains some of the finest in the world, and we'll keep an eye on how this develops.
📰 Industry News: Closures, Acquisitions, and Big Moves
Peet's Coffee Scaling Back
In a bit of sad news for American coffee lovers, Peet's Coffee announced closures of up to 30 locations by month's end. This comes as parent company JDE Peet's prepares for an $18 billion acquisition by Keurig Dr Pepper, expected to close in Q2 2026. It's a massive shake-up in the specialty coffee retail space.
Acquisition Frenzy Continues
The coffee industry's consolidation trend isn't slowing down:
Jollibee is eyeing expansion of its Compose Coffee brand through strategic franchising
Explorer Cold Brew acquired Savorista to beef up their functional RTD (ready-to-drink) cold brew line
Serbia's Kafeterija purchased Loft, expanding their food-focused concept
China Overtakes Italy in Coffee Consumption
Here's a stat that might surprise you: China has overtaken Italy in total coffee consumption. Chinese consumption exceeded 240,000 tonnes in 2024: a nearly 150% increase over the past decade. Annual growth is expected to remain around 15%.
Let that sink in. The country famous for tea is now drinking more coffee than the home of espresso. The global coffee landscape is shifting fast.
🆕 New Products and Innovations
The innovation train keeps rolling:
Klatch released Centennial espresso, celebrating Route 66's 100-year history
Califia Farms launched its first soy milk under the Simple & Organic line
UAE Coffee Champion Mariam Erin introduced the Binocular dripper: a new manual brewing device
Starbucks pivoted into streetwear and lifestyle merchandise (because apparently coffee alone isn't enough anymore)
If you're into experimenting with new brewing methods at home, check out our guide on preparing coffee without a machine: sometimes simple is best.
🎉 Milestones Worth Celebrating
Bitty & Beau's Coffee marked a decade of advancing disability inclusion in the coffee industry. It's a beautiful reminder that coffee brings people together in more ways than one.
Meanwhile, a Malaysian coffee brand received recognition as the "Most Visited State-Certified Heritage Coffee Factory," drawing over 91,000 visitors. They're planning to triple output and launch a sugar-free product line.
What This Means for Your Cup
So what does all this mean for you, the coffee drinker?
Short-term: Prices might stay a bit volatile, but the improved Brazil outlook and strong Vietnamese exports should help stabilize things.
Long-term: The global coffee supply looks healthy. Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam are all posting strong crops. India's strategic holding might create some interesting opportunities later in the year.
For quality seekers: At Woodpeckers Coffee Trading House, we're committed to sourcing beans that meet our standards regardless of market swings. Whether it's organic options or single-origin gems, quality always comes first.
Quick Hits: The Week in Bullets
☔ Brazil rains ease drought concerns, production estimates up
📈 Vietnam exports surge 17.5%
🇮🇳 Indian farmers holding stock, betting on better prices
💰 Robusta hits $4,132/tonne
🇨🇳 China now drinks more coffee than Italy
🏪 Peet's closing up to 30 locations
🌊 Indonesia flooding causes temporary price spike
That's a wrap for this week's roundup! The coffee world never sleeps, and neither do we (thanks to all the coffee, obviously). Stay tuned for next Tuesday's update, and in the meantime, keep brewing and keep exploring.
Have questions about sourcing or want to chat about coffee trends? Drop by Woodpeckers Coffee Trading House( we love talking beans.)
Comments