EP 1519 – Part 4 of 5: Direct Trade and Coffee Price Stability - Sean Warner
EP 1519 – Part 4 of 5: Direct Trade and Coffee Price Stability - Sean Warner

This is Part 4 of a five-part series with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance, exploring how coffee pricing is set today and how it may change in the future.

In this episode, Lee Safar and Sean Warner explore direct trade as a proposed solution to pricing instability. They discuss how different trade models function, where power sits in pricing conversations, and why direct trade succeeds in some contexts while failing in others.

The conversation focuses on pricing references, long-term relationships, and what enables producers to maintain meaningful prices over time.

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EP 1518 - Part 3 of 5: Risk, Cash Flow, and Timing - Sean Warner
EP 1518 - Part 3 of 5: Risk, Cash Flow, and Timing - Sean Warner

This is Part 3 of a five-part series with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance, exploring how coffee pricing is set today and how it may change in the future.

In this episode, Lee Safar and Sean Warner focus on the often-overlooked role of risk and liquidity in coffee pricing. While price receives most of the attention, this conversation highlights how payment timing and financing structures affect producers, roasters, and exporters.

They discuss the pressure that high prices place on cash flow, the role of multinationals in financing, and why payment terms can determine whether businesses remain viable during periods of volatility.

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EP 1517 - Part 2 of 5: Why Coffee Pricing Is So Complicated - Sean Warner
EP 1517 - Part 2 of 5: Why Coffee Pricing Is So Complicated - Sean Warner

This is Part 2 of a five-part series with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance, exploring how coffee pricing is set today and how it may change in the future.

In this episode, Lee Safar and Sean Warner examine why coffee pricing is inherently complicated. They discuss the limitations of using the C price as a reference, the historical volatility of coffee markets, and why countries with vastly different production costs are often priced using the same benchmark.

Using Honduras as a case study, they explore how cost of production, quality, and payment timing affect pricing outcomes for producers.

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EP 1516 - Part 1 of 5: How Coffee Is Priced Today - Sean Warner
EP 1516 - Part 1 of 5: How Coffee Is Priced Today - Sean Warner

This is Part 1 of a five-part series with Sean Warner from the Honduran Coffee Alliance, exploring how coffee pricing is set today and how it may change in the future.

In this episode, Lee Safar and Sean Warner unpack how coffee is currently priced across the supply chain. They discuss the role of the C market, differences in production costs between origins, spot coffee versus future contracts, and why rising retail prices do not necessarily translate into improved income for producers.

This episode sets the foundation for the rest of the series.

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The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 5): Preparing for 2026: Power, Institutions, and What Comes Next - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 5): Preparing for 2026: Power, Institutions, and What Comes Next - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

This is Part 5 of a 5-part series on the coffee industry in 2026 with Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees) and Angel Barrera (Belco).

The discussion critically examines the role of the Specialty Coffee Association, industry representation, corporate influence, and what meaningful preparation for 2026 may actually look like for coffee businesses.

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The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 4): Corporate Coffee vs Small Business in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 4): Corporate Coffee vs Small Business in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

This is Part 4 of a 5-part series on the coffee industry in 2026 with Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees) and Angel Barrera (Belco).

Lee Safar, Felipe Croce, and Angel Barrera examine how scale, capital, and consolidation are shaping the coffee industry, and what challenges small and medium businesses may face as corporate influence grows.

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The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 3): Specialty vs Commodity Coffee: Value in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 3): Specialty vs Commodity Coffee: Value in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

This is Part 3 of a 5-part series on the coffee industry in 2026 with Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees) and Angel Barrera (Belco).

This episode explores how the definition of “specialty” may evolve by 2026, what value means for producers, roasters, and consumers, and why clarity of values will be increasingly important for coffee businesses navigating a changing market.

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The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 2): Geopolitical Volatility and Coffee in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 2): Geopolitical Volatility and Coffee in 2026 - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on the coffee industry in 2026 with Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees) and Angel Barrera (Belco).

This episode focuses on geopolitical “tectonic plate” movements and what they mean for coffee businesses. The discussion covers currency volatility, the role of the US dollar, emerging alternatives such as stablecoins, and how exporters and importers may need to adapt to remain resilient in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

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The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 1): Where the Industry Stands Today - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera
The Coffee Industry in 2026 (Part 1): Where the Industry Stands Today - Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera

This is Part 1 of a 5-part series on the coffee industry in 2026 with Felipe Croce (FAF Coffees) and Angel Barrera (Belco).

In this episode, Lee Safar, Felipe Croce, and Angel Barrera discuss where the global coffee industry is as we begin the year and where they believe it is heading. The conversation spans coffee production in Colombia and Brazil, climate volatility, geopolitical pressure, consumer behavior, and the growing need to rethink how the specialty coffee sector operates in an increasingly unstable environment.

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EP 1510 Greg Oddo - Challenges Ahead for Coffee and Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1510 Greg Oddo - Challenges Ahead for Coffee and Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode five of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.

Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss challenges such as extremely wet or dry seasons, the effects of warming climates on coffee crops, and the heightened market volatility influenced by these weather conditions.

The episode delves into potential solutions for mitigating these impacts, including increasing coffee supply and adopting sustainable practices.

They also touch on how computer algorithms play a role in market trading. As the year 2025 wraps up, both Lee and Greg reflect on the past year's challenges in the coffee industry and offer insights into what 2026 might hold.

Map It Forward wishes you all a wonderful holiday season and a successful 2026 ahead. We'll see you back for the first episode of the podcast after a few weeks break on Monday, Jan 12th, 2026!

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EP 1509 Greg Oddo - Open Sourced Weather Data for Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1509 Greg Oddo - Open Sourced Weather Data for Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode four of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.

Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the critical role of open source data in the coffee industry.

They focus on data transparency, specifically in Brazil's weather reporting, and the necessity of self-education in accessing free available data.

Greg emphasizes the importance of observational data quality and transparency to avoid market manipulation and improve decision-making for coffee farmers and businesses.

Additionally, the episode highlights upcoming changes for Map It Forward in 2026, including the introduction of multi-language support and B2B advertising opportunities.

Join us as we delve into why open source data is vital for accurate weather predictions and market strategies in the coffee sector.

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EP 1508 Greg Oddo - Coffee Industry Adapting to Changing Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1508 Greg Oddo - Coffee Industry Adapting to Changing Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode three of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.

Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the potential impact of climate change on the coffee industry, including the prediction that we have only 20 harvests left due to rising temperatures and increasing weather volatility.

The conversation dives into how the industry can adapt, including regenerative agriculture, new varieties, and the role of corporate farming. This episode is part of a five-part series exploring the crucial issues facing the coffee industry today.

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EP 1507 Greg Oddo - Connecting The Price of Coffee to the Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1507 Greg Oddo - Connecting The Price of Coffee to the Weather - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode two of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.

Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the intricate relationship between weather and coffee prices.

They delve into how weather events affect market volatility and pricing, particularly in the context of 2025's record-high fluctuations.

The discussion highlights the impact of weather in major coffee-producing regions like Brazil and Vietnam, and how traders, producers, and roasters are navigating these challenges.

The episode sheds light on the speculative nature of the market and its real-world consequences for various stakeholders in the coffee industry.

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EP 1506 Greg Oddo - The Impact of Weather on the Coffee Industry - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1506 Greg Oddo - The Impact of Weather on the Coffee Industry - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode one of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar, featuring first-time guest Greg Oddo.

Greg is a weather strategist who specialises in coffee for Sucafina. In this series, Lee and Greg discuss the role that weather is playing in the coffee market.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Greg discuss the increasing global temperatures and how weather events like the Brazilian Frost of 2021 have drastically impacted coffee prices and supply chains.

Learn how weather data helps forecasts and mitigates risks in coffee production. Stay tuned for deeper insights into why paying attention to weather is crucial for the coffee industry.

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EP 1505 Osamah Alawwam - The Opportunities Ahead In Specialty Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1505 Osamah Alawwam - The Opportunities Ahead In Specialty Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 5th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East.

They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues.

They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality.

The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture.

Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production.

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EP 1504 Osamah Alawwam - Middle Eastern Culture and Business in Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1504 Osamah Alawwam - Middle Eastern Culture and Business in Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.

They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses.

The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.

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EP 1503 Osamah Alawwam - The Challenges of Doing Business In The Middle East - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1503 Osamah Alawwam - The Challenges of Doing Business In The Middle East - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 3rd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems.

They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry.

Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent.

Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.

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EP 1502 Osamah Alawwam - Building The Roasting House - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1502 Osamah Alawwam - Building The Roasting House - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 2nd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss how he built the Roasting House business with a vision to elevate coffee standards and spread specialty coffee culture.

From starting with a small shop to creating a community-driven coffee scene, Osamah shares insights on the role of education, market research, and the impact of the Saudi Vision 2030 on business development.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of establishing a successful coffee business in the Middle East.

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The Daily Coffee ProLee Safarthe daily coffee pro, Lee Safar, osamah Alawwam, the roasting house, saudi arabiaComment
EP 1501 Osamah Alawwam - A Coffee Entrepreneur In Saudi Arabia - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1501 Osamah Alawwam - A Coffee Entrepreneur In Saudi Arabia - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the first of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Osamah shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transitioned from the corporate world to starting his own coffee business in Saudi Arabia.

He emphasizes the importance of finding the right financial and intellectual partners, and the challenges he faced in sourcing quality green beans.

The conversation also touches on the evolving business landscape in Saudi Arabia and the impact of global geopolitical events on the coffee industry.

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EP 1500 🎉 Carley Garner - Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
EP 1500 🎉 Carley Garner - Coffee Futures Markets in 2026 - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is episode five of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley discuss the volatility of the coffee market and what producers can expect for 2025 and 2026.

They delve into factors affecting coffee prices, including market trends, speculation, and economic influences.

The conversation also covers the challenges smallholder farmers face and the impact of technology on commodity pricing.

Additionally, they explore how recent geopolitical factors and market behaviors could drive future price fluctuations.

The episode concludes with advice on how small businesses in the coffee industry can navigate these turbulent times.

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