This Week at Map It Forward: Week 26, 2025
It’s been a tense time here in Dubai this week as we try to figure out if WW3 is on again or off again. The wheels keep turning in these stressful times for all of us, no matter where we are in the world. I hope you’re taking good care of yourself. Here’s what happened at Map It Forward in week 26 of 2025!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Map It Forward JAPAN IS LIVE
This week, we launched Map It Forward Japan. I’m very grateful to my colleague Keisuke Kuga, long time coffee professional based in Japan, for the idea to start this next chapter in Map It Forward’s journey and for all his hard work translating and curating the series that we will feature.
We will be releasing the translation for a new series from The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward podcast (our global podcast) every 2 weeks via our YouTube Channel, with updated industry news specifically related to the Japanese coffee industry via IG and a weekly newsletter.
You can find out more about Map It Forward Japan at https://mapitforward.coffee/japan and https://instagram.com/mapitforwardjapan. Please tell all your Japanese coffee friends!
The Industry & MARKET
It’s a tense time across global markets, and coffee is no exception.
In the last few days, geopolitical volatility, shifting weather patterns, and economic uncertainty have converged to create a precarious environment for the coffee industry. The effects aren’t theoretical, they’re already being felt in more ways than you might realise, with more ripple effects to come.
Here’s what stakeholders across the supply chain should be paying attention to:
1. Global Logistics Pressure Is Mounting
Increased instability in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping lanes, is straining freight routes for fuel, packaging, and equipment. While green coffee may not transit these routes directly, the indirect impacts are real:
Shipping insurance costs are rising
Port congestion is likely
Lead times for equipment and materials are stretching
2. Rising Fuel and Input Costs
With 20% of global oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption could push up fuel prices. This hits hard across the board, from farm operations and container shipping to roasting and local delivery costs. Expect margins to tighten, especially for small and medium operators.
3. Currency Volatility
From the Colombian peso to the Egyptian pound, currency fluctuations are growing. That’s making pricing more complex for exporters and less predictable for importers. Contracts signed weeks ago may no longer reflect the reality of today’s FX rates. Be sure to budget for this volatility in your forward projections. Some of this strain will lead to an acceleration of business closures.
4. Market Behavior Is Shifting
Coffee buyers and sellers are responding:
Green buyers are holding off on forward commitments
Roasters are adjusting blend ratios to mitigate price instability
Retailers are watching consumer sentiment closely as inflation persists
5. Climatic Risks Are Still in Play
In Brazil, frost alerts are triggering concerns for the 2025/26 crop. In Colombia, rains have delayed harvest drying by up to two months. Between climate uncertainty and supply chain fragility, production risks remain high.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS WEEK’S PODCASTS
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The Daily Coffee Pro PodcasT
This week on the global podcast, Lee is joined by 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras of Coffee Lab Brazil for a deeply insightful five-part series. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked truths of Brazil’s coffee industry.
Watch the series:
The MIF Middle East Podcast
On the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, Lee is joined by Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This five-part series unpacks the realities of entrepreneurship in one of the region’s fastest-growing coffee markets.
Watch the series:
Map It Forward Japan
In this Japan-focused series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast, Lee welcomes Pete Licata, co-founder of Melbourne’s Caffeine Control Coffee and 2013 World Barista Champion. This series tackles the crossroads our industry faces and what launching a coffee brand looks like in 2025.
Watch the series:
Access “Introduction to Regenerative Coffee Farming” On-Demand for as little as $10 at the new Map It Forward On-Demand Learning Hub here: www.ondemand.mapitforward.coffee
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