13/08/2026
"Vietnam’s coffee expansion faces deforestation and water-stress scrutiny
Vietnam supplies about 40% of global robusta exports, but coffee cultivation has expanded from 50,000 hectares in the 1980s to more than 700,000 hectares. A reported 75% of land currently occupied by coffee plantations in the Central Highlands was forest-covered in 1943. Vietnam plans to reduce coffee acreage in the region by 57,000 hectares by 2030 as sustainability requirements and resource constraints intensify."
Global Coffee News — August 12, 2026
▪️Supply and Trade
• Colombian coffee exports halt after major earthquake
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake on August 10 disrupted highways and the port of Buenaventura, bringing Colombian coffee-export operations largely to a standstill. The emergency has affected major coffee-growing regions including Antioquia, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, and Chocó. Colombia normally exports about 13 million 60-kilogram bags annually, making the disruption a significant near-term supply-chain risk.
• Vietnam coffee export volumes rise as prices retreat
Vietnam exported about 782,017 tonnes of coffee in the first four months of 2026, up 11.7% year over year, but export value fell nearly 10% to $3.57 billion. Its average export price dropped nearly 20% to $4,555 per tonne, reflecting broader global supply expectations. Processed coffee exports, however, rose 17% in value to approximately $600 million, highlighting a shift toward higher-value products.
▪️Markets and Logistics
• Coffee prices rebound on weather and logistics risks
The ICO Composite Indicator Price averaged 248.90 US cents per pound in June, down 2.8% from May but rebounding after early-month lows. Excess rainfall slowed Brazil’s harvest, while the prospect of a Super El Niño added concern for the 2026/27 crop cycle. Combined certified arabica and robusta stocks fell to 1.09 million bags at the end of June, their lowest level since February 2024.
• U.S. exempts coffee from new Brazil tariff measures
The United States imposed 25% tariffs on certain Brazilian imports effective July 22 under a Section 301 action. Coffee was specifically exempted, alongside products including beef, orange juice, and some energy goods. The exemption avoids a new direct tariff burden on Brazilian coffee shipments to the U.S. market.
▪️Retail and Expansion
• Luckin Coffee adds more than 5,200 Chinese stores in six months
Luckin Coffee opened 5,200 net new outlets in China during the first half of 2026, including 2,668 in the second quarter. The value-focused chain opened 8,600 outlets in 2025 and is on track to surpass that expansion pace. The growth reinforces China’s importance as the largest high-volume battleground for branded coffee chains.
• Café Amazon launches in Bangladesh with 100-store plan
Thailand’s Café Amazon opened its first 2 stores in Dhaka on August 6 after a two-year delay. Its master-franchise agreement with Bashundhara Group targets 100 stores in Bangladesh. The chain has more than 5,000 stores globally, primarily in Thailand, and operates across multiple Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
▪️Corporate Activity and Sustainability
• Keurig Dr Pepper’s U.S. coffee sales weaken despite JDE Peet’s contribution
Keurig Dr Pepper’s U.S. Coffee Division posted quarterly net sales of $918 million, down 3.2% year over year, while adjusted operating income fell 24.7% to $225 million. JDE Peet’s, now a separate segment within the combined platform, recorded $2.8 billion in quarterly sales and $414 million in adjusted operating income. The results show continued pressure in the U.S. single-serve coffee business despite stronger international scale. Read more
•Vietnam’s coffee expansion faces deforestation and water-stress scrutiny
Vietnam supplies about 40% of global robusta exports, but coffee cultivation has expanded from 50,000 hectares in the 1980s to more than 700,000 hectares. A reported 75% of land currently occupied by coffee plantations in the Central Highlands was forest-covered in 1943. Vietnam plans to reduce coffee acreage in the region by 57,000 hectares by 2030 as sustainability requirements and resource constraints intensify.
