EP 975 | Part 5 of 5: What the Coffee Industry Should Be Paying Attention To (Lee Safar)
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Episode Description
This is Part 5 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.
In the final episode of the series, Lee Safar explores what coffee businesses should be paying attention to as geopolitical conflict begins to reshape global trade systems.
Rather than focusing on predictions, Lee encourages the industry to watch signals — measurable indicators that reveal how the crisis is evolving and how it may impact coffee supply chains.
Four signals are particularly important.
The first is shipping routes, including the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Changes in shipping routes, container availability, and freight costs can dramatically affect the movement of coffee around the world.
The second signal is energy markets. Oil and natural gas prices influence fertilizer production, transportation costs, roasting energy expenses, and overall agricultural economics.
The third signal is trade consolidation. As crises intensify, smaller businesses may struggle while larger companies expand their influence through acquisitions and market consolidation.
The fourth signal is supply chain resilience. Businesses that diversify suppliers, maintain inventory buffers, and strengthen relationships across the supply chain will be better positioned to adapt.
Lee argues that the coffee industry must broaden its focus beyond cup quality to include logistics, geopolitics, energy markets, and financial risk.
Understanding these signals will help businesses make better strategic decisions as global uncertainty continues to unfold.
Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/
https://mapitforward.coffee
https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee