This Week at Map It Forward: Week 29, 2025

In this blog post…

The Industry: Is Diversification the Solution to the Coffee Crisis?

Global Podcast: Our guest for our five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, is Kelvin Ngow from Coffex Coffee and Mono Origine in Malaysia.

Middle East Podcast: Our guest on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast this week is Yozo Otsuki, Founder of global brand Kurasu based in Kyoto, Japan.

Map It Forward Japan: Our guest on Map It Forward Japan this week is Alejandro Cadena, Green Coffee Exporter at Caravela Coffee based in Colombia.

This Week at Map It Forward: Week 28, 2025

In this blog post…

The Industry: The C Market goes below 290

Global Podcast: Our guest for our five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, is George Howell from George Howell Coffee in the USA.

Middle East Podcast: Our guest on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast this week is Angela Barrero, Colombian Coffee Farmer at Bodega de la Finca and Cafe Tiolita based in Quindio, Colombia.

Map It Forward Japan: Our guest on Map It Forward Japan this week is Alejandro Cadena, Green Coffee Exporter at Caravela Coffee based in Colombia.

This Week at Map It Forward: Week 27, 2025

In this blog post…

The Industry: Why are Coffee Prices Sliding Again?

Global Podcast: Our guest for our five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, is Darrin Daniel from Cityful Press Coffee Consulting in the USA.

Middle East Podcast: Our guest on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast this week is Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat Coffee based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This Week at Map It Forward: Week 26, 2025

In this blog post…

Announcement: Click to find out about Map It Forward Japan

The Industry: How the current situation in the Middle East may impact coffee

Global Podcast: Our guest for our five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, is Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

Middle East Podcast: Our guest on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast this week is Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Map It Forward Japan: Our guest at Map It Forward Japan this week is Pete Licata, co-founder of Caffeine Control Coffee based in Melbourne, Australia.

[Week 25/2025 at Map It Forward] Yozo Otsuki from Kurasu and Mohamad Merhi from Cypher Urban Roasters

In this blog post…

Announcement: Click to find out about Map It Forward Japan

The Industry: Challenging times are here

Global Podcast: Our guest for our five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, is Yozo Otsuki from Kurasu.

Middle East Podcast: Our guest on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast this week is Mohamad Merhi, founder of Cypher Urban Roasters based in Dubai, UAE.

[This Week At Map It Forward] Michael Sheridan (CQI) + Kim Thompson and Matt Toogood from RAW Coffee Company

Global Podcast: Our highly anticipated five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, featuring Michael Sheridan, Executive Director of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) has been released to the general public.

Middle East Podcast: Our guests on the podcast this week on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast are Kim Thompson and Matt Toogood, co-founders of RAW Coffee Company in Dubai.

[This Week On The Podcast] Shireen Muhaisen and James Lynes from Bunni Coffee in Jordan

This week, host Lee Safar is joined by Shireen Muhaisen and James Lynes, co-founders of Bunni Coffee in Amman, Jordan. Together, they explore the nuances of building values-driven coffee businesses in the birthplace of roasted and brewed coffee.

Also, Next week, our highly anticipated five-part series on our global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, featuring Michael Sheridan, Executive Director of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) will be released to the general public.

Today, we launched the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, now available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. This region-specific show features the same 5-part series format as The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward but focuses on doing business in the MENA region.

And, 1 week to go till our live online biochar workshop in Spanish and English

BlogLee Safar2 June 2025coffee price crisis, Bunni Coffee, Shireen Muhaisen, James LynesComment

[This Week On The Podcast] The Bastardisation of Quality with Mark Bartlett from Bon Accord

Our guest this week is Mark Bartlett, founder of Bon Accord Products in New Zealand. In this five-part series, Mark and Lee examine how the idea of “quality” has been diluted in cafés and restaurants, and what can be done to bring it back.

Also, over the next 12 months, Map It Forward will be expanding into new regions to better serve the global coffee industry. Our goal is to connect with new audiences and offer context-specific education, insights, and conversations that matter.

On June 2nd, the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast will be separating from the global podcast, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, for the first time since 2022.

And, this week, The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast will host Michael Sheridan, the Executive Director of the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). The conversation will focus on the recent announcement regarding the sale of the Q to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

The lack of transparency around this transition has left the specialty coffee industry reeling. What questions would you most like Michael to answer about this situation? e-mail us here support@mapitforward.org

BlogLee Safar27 May 2025tariffs, coffee price crisis, Mark Bartlett, Bon AccordComment

[This Week On The Podcast] The CVA, SCA, CQI, and SCI with Tim Heinze from Sustainable Coffee Institute (SCI)

The coffee market is experiencing extreme volatility, yet everything appears calm on the surface. Trade shows are vibrant, social feeds are full of new launches, champions are being crowned, cafes are crowded, and non-profits are celebrating deals as though it’s 1999 in coffee, not 2025. But behind the scenes, conversations are very different.

Importers are hesitating, roasters are quiet, debt is mounting, warehouses are emptying, retailers are holding pricing (or not increasing them enough to cover their costs), producers are stretched (or don’t have any coffee), yet somehow, the vibe in the industry isn’t reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

Why?

Because in our industry, performative gestures often replace transparency. The system rewards confidence, not caution. Optimism keeps the gears turning. Meanwhile, those paying close attention start to wonder if we’re the only ones seeing it.

You’re not alone.

BlogLee Safar19 May 2025tariffs, coffee price crisis, Tim Heinze, Sustainable Coffee Institute (SCI)Comment

[This Week On The Podcast] Markets, Tariffs, and The Volatility in Cacao with César Magaña from Belco

Our guest on the podcast this week features César Magaña, Partner at Faegre Drinker and trade compliance specialist based in Chicago.

In this series, Mollie and Lee Safar explore the implications of Trump-era tariffs on the global coffee supply chain.

Also, As of May 12, 2025, the United States and China have agreed to a 90-day reduction in tariffs, aiming to ease escalating trade tensions. Under this agreement, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports have been reduced from 145% to 30%, while China's tariffs on U.S. goods have decreased from 125% to 10%.

And, Arabica Prices: Recent Declines Amid Supply Optimism

After reaching record highs earlier this year, Arabica coffee prices have recently declined. As of May 13, 2025, prices fell to approximately 368 per pound, influenced by a stronger U.S. dollar and improved supply forecasts from major producers like Brazil and Vietnam

BlogLee Safar13 May 2025tariffs, coffee price crisis, Mollie Sitkowski, Faegre Drinker, César Magaña, BelcoComment

[This Week On The Podcast] The Impact of Tariffs on The Coffee Industry with Mollie Sitkowski from Faegre Drinker

Our guest on the podcast this week features Mollie Sitkowski, Partner at Faegre Drinker and trade compliance specialist based in Chicago.

In this series, Mollie and Lee Safar explore the implications of Trump-era tariffs on the global coffee supply chain.

BlogLee Safar6 May 2025tariffs, coffee price crisis, Mollie Sitkowski, Faegre DrinkerComment

[This Week On The Podcast] The CVA, SCA, Coffee Prices, Markets, and Vinicius Estrela from BSCA - Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association

This week, our guest on the podcast is Vinicius (Vini) Estrela, Executive Director of the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA), for a grounded look at where Brazil fits in all of this.

Also, Coffee prices on Monday, April 28th, soared above 420 and maintained those highs throughout most of Tuesday for Arabica on the C-Market (a 2.5-month high). This was mostly due to reports that Brazil's 2025/26 Arabica crop could fall to 38.1 million bags, down 13.6% from last year.

Finally, I think there has been a fundamental misalignment that has been overlooked, and we need to gain some clarity on it fast. The mistake is ours, not the SCA’s—and recognizing this misalignment could shift the discussion forward.

BlogLee Safar30 April 2025tariffs, coffee price crisis, vinicius vini estrelaComment

[This Week On The Podcast] Tariff's, Pricing, and Coffee Supply with Carley Garner from DeCarley Trading

This week on the podcast we’re joined on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward by everyones favourite over the years, Carley Garner, founder and broker at DeCarley Trading, to explain what’s really behind the volatility and uncertainty in the coffee market as well as how these tariffs will impact trading with the United States.

Also, in the past week, coffee futures have continued to bounce (volatility without direction) despite no meaningful change in supply fundamentals. Tariffs on coffee remain in place across key producing countries, and on China, which supplies much of the equipment, packaging, and merchandise used throughout American coffee businesses.

Finally, SCA Expo is this week. It’s a wonderful time to catch up with friends, feel part of the community, and enjoy the warmth and energy of an industry we love. Joy and connection are vital, personally and professionally. Trade shows can be a beautiful opportunity for that, and it’s important to recognize the value of gathering. BUT…

BlogLee Safar22 April 2025tariffs, carley garner, coffee price crisisComment

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