Posts by Lee Safar
This Week at Map It Forward: Week 26, 2025
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.

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BlogLee Safarcoffee price crisis, Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Isabela Raposeiras, Osamah Alawwam, Pete LicataComment
[Week 25/2025 at Map It Forward] Yozo Otsuki from Kurasu and Mohamad Merhi from Cypher Urban Roasters
[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.

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BlogLee Safarcoffee price crisis, Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Yozo Otsuki, Mohamad Merhi, Cypher Urban Roasters, KurasuComment
[This Week At Map It Forward] Michael Sheridan (CQI) + Kim Thompson and Matt Toogood from RAW Coffee Company
[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.

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BlogLee Safarcoffee price crisis, Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), cqi, sca, specialty coffee association, RAW Coffee Company, Michael Sheridan, Kim Thompson, Matt ToogoodComment
[This Week On The Podcast] Shireen Muhaisen and James Lynes from Bunni Coffee in Jordan
[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

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BlogLee Safarcoffee price crisis, Bunni Coffee, Shireen Muhaisen, James LynesComment
[This Week On The Podcast] The Bastardisation of Quality with Mark Bartlett from Bon Accord
[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

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BlogLee Safartariffs, 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)
[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.

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BlogLee Safartariffs, 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
[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

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BlogLee Safartariffs, coffee price crisis, Mollie Sitkowski, Faegre Drinker, César Magaña, BelcoComment
[This Week On The Podcast] The CVA, SCA, Coffee Prices, Markets, and Vinicius Estrela from BSCA - Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association
[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.

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BlogLee Safartariffs, 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] 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…

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BlogLee Safartariffs, carley garner, coffee price crisisComment
[This Week On The Podcast] Tariff's, Coffee NGO's, and Lifting Farmer Our of Poverty with Paul Stewart from TechnoServe
[This Week On The Podcast] Tariff's, Coffee NGO's, and Lifting Farmer Our of Poverty with Paul Stewart from TechnoServe

Our guest on the podcast in this series is Paul Stewart, Global Coffee Director at TechnoServe.

Also, the combination of uncertainty and price instability is causing widespread hesitation across the supply chain. Businesses are struggling to make informed decisions, unsure whether to buy, sell, or hold, while watching for further policy shifts from the White House and ongoing fluctuations in the futures market.

The lack of clarity is not only disrupting logistics and pricing, it’s stalling the entire system. If this continues, this could accelerate the coffee crisis the industry was already experiencing. This means more business closures and dysfunction in 2025, with the fallout potentially carrying into 2026 and beyond.

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BlogLee SafarPaul Stewart, technoserve, ngo, tariffsComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "Biochar For Coffee" with Angela Barrero
[This Week On The Podcast] "Biochar For Coffee" with Angela Barrero

Our guest on the podcast in this series is Angela Barrero, coffee farmer and Regenerative Ag expert, talking about biochar.

Two critical shifts are happening in coffee right now:

  • Tariffs on imported coffee into the U.S. – Announced under President Trump’s trade policy, these are effectively taxes initially paid by importers but passed on to consumers, contributing to inflation. The tariffs apply to all origin countries except Mexico, which is currently exempt.

  • Volatility in the coffee futures market – Despite no meaningful change in the fundamentals of coffee supply, prices have dropped sharply. This signals that speculators are betting on a recession, anticipating a reduction in consumer demand and discretionary spending. We have no way of knowing whether this will eventuate or not at this stage.

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BlogLee Safarbiochar, Regenerative Ag, Angela BarreroComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "Connecting The Dots In Coffee" with Nick Brown from Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine
[This Week On The Podcast] "Connecting The Dots In Coffee" with Nick Brown from Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine

Our guest on the podcast in this series is Nick Brown, Editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine.

Also, coffee businesses across the value chain are starting to feel the pressure as the Arabica C-market continues to hover between 380 and 400. With Arabica prices doubling in the last 12 months, retail prices are expected to rise by up to 25% globally, but that may not be enough to save many businesses.

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BlogLee SafarNick Brown, Daily Coffee News by Roast MagazineComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "How Coffee Business Are Experiencing This Volatility" with Nawar Adra from Stitch Coffee
[This Week On The Podcast] "How Coffee Business Are Experiencing This Volatility" with Nawar Adra from Stitch Coffee

Our guest on the podcast in this series is Nawar Adra, founder of global coffee brand Stitch Coffee.

Also, As the C-market climbs above 400 again, we're entering a critical phase of this global coffee crisis. Many small- and medium-sized roasters are running low on inventory. Some are still holding out, hoping prices will drop. But from what we’re hearing on the ground, the reasons behind these high prices—climate impacts, low production, theft, and systemic instability—are only getting worse.

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BlogLee SafarNawar Adra, stitch coffeeComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "Vietnamese Specialty Coffee Value Chain" with Thai Dang from 96B Cafe and Roastery
[This Week On The Podcast] "Vietnamese Specialty Coffee Value Chain" with Thai Dang from 96B Cafe and Roastery

This week on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast, we dive into Vietnam’s evolving specialty coffee scene with Thai Dang from 96B Cafe and Roastery in Ho Chi Minh City.

As volatility in the coffee futures market continues, the supply chain is facing escalating challenges—some of which can’t be spoken about openly.

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BlogLee Safarthai dang, vietnamese coffee, 96B Cafe and RoasteryComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "Coffee and Grocery" with Allison Ball from Retail Ready™
[This Week On The Podcast] "Coffee and Grocery" with Allison Ball from Retail Ready™

This week on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast, we dive into the complex world of getting coffee brands into grocery stores with Allison Ball, founder of Retail Ready™.

📢 Why this matters:
Selling coffee in grocery stores sounds like a dream, but it comes with challenges. In this series, Allison (ex-grocery buyer turned brand coach) breaks down what it takes to get on shelves and succeed once you're there.

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BlogLee SafarAllison Ball, Retail Ready™, grocery and coffeeComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "Pakistan, An Emerging Coffee Market" with Faisal Khan from Nomad Coffee Studio
[This Week On The Podcast] "Pakistan, An Emerging Coffee Market" with Faisal Khan from Nomad Coffee Studio

The coffee market is making history, and we’re witnessing unprecedented volatility across the supply chain. Record prices, Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs, cuts to USAID, weather issues in coffee-growing regions, and currency gymnastics are all playing an important role in market volatility this week!

This week on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast, we dive into Pakistan’s specialty coffee scene with Faisal Khan, founder of Nomad Coffee Studio, Pakistan’s market leader in specialty coffee.

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BlogLee SafarFaisal Khan, Nomad Coffee Studio, pakistani coffee, mena regionComment
[This Week On The Podcast] "The Year Ahead In Coffee" with Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
[This Week On The Podcast] "The Year Ahead In Coffee" with Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

The coffee market is making history, and we’re witnessing unprecedented volatility across the supply chain. Record prices, Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs, cuts to USAID, weather issues in coffee-growing regions, and currency gymnastics are all playing an important role in market volatility this week!

This week on the podcast, Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera take us masterfully through the situation we’re facing in coffee right now.

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BlogLee SafarAngel Barrera, felipe croceComment