Weekly Coffee News: More EUDR Concerns + Best of Rwanda

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Reuters: ICO Head Nogueira Says Meeting EUDR Date “Not Possible” 

The head of the International Coffee Organization, Vanusia Nogueira, told a group in Honduras that meeting the requirements of the new European deforestation-free supply chain law (EUDR) will not be possible, according to a Reuters report. Enforcement of the law, which requires European companies to ensure coffee imports are not linked to new deforestation, is scheduled to take effect for large companies on Dec. 31 of this year. “We can’t meet that date, it is not possible,” Nogueira told people at the recent summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Tegucigalpa, according to the report. Numerous consortiums — representing actors on both sides of the coffee supply chain — have asked the European Federation to delay implementation of the law over the past year. Many groups have cited the potential for unintended consequences, particularly among smallholder farmers and other less powerful actors who may be cut out of the market because they lack tools for compliance.

BBC Explores the High Robusta and Arabica Commodities Market

BBC News has a story on the historically high commodity coffee prices in both the robusta and arabica markets, offering perspectives from experts Judy Ganes, Will Frith, Paul Armstrong and Felipe Barretto Croce. “Right at [the] time when things started to rev up for demand of Robusta, is right when the world was scrambling for more supply,” Ganes said in the piece.

Best of Rwanda 2024 Auction Results

The Best of Rwanda 2024 auction, organized by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and hosted by M-Cultivo, saw the top coffee from Nova Coffee Washing Station sell for US$32.60 per pound to Texas-based Greenway Coffee Company. The average price per pound for all lots was $11.24, and the total auction value was $165,544.

Boise State Owes Millions to Coffee Shop Owner, Jury Rules

The owner of the former Big City Coffee shop at the Boise State University campus was awarded $4 million in damages following a three-week jury trial. Sarah Fendley sued the university, seeking $10 million, arguing that she was forced out of the location due to pushback from a small group of students and university workers for flying a “thin blue line” flag shortly after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Quills Coffee Owner Voluntarily Recognizes Union in Louisville

Workers at Louisville-based specialty coffee roasting and retail company Quills Coffee plan to unionize through 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU) following voluntary union recognition from company owner Nathan Quillo. The Courier Journal has more.

Fairtrade Attempts to Prove Competence for EUDR Preparation

A study led by Fairtrade International found that Fairtrade-certified cocoa and coffee cooperatives are in an “advantageous position” when it comes to protecting forests and complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Slow Food and SCA Meet to Sign MoU in Italy

The Slow Food Coffee Coalition and Specialty Coffee Association are meeting on Sept. 28 in Italy to “renew and reinforce a collaboration born at Terra Madre Americas 2024 and to develop a common mission for the years to come.”

Michigan Central Station is Getting a Coffee Shop

The historic Michigan Central Station building, which was once a symbol of blight in Detroit and now stands as a symbol of recovery, is getting its first food and beverage tenant: Detroit’s own Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts.

Cherry Street Coffee Closes One Seattle Shop Amid Wage Debate

The high-profile Capitol Hill location of local specialty chain Cherry Street Coffee House closed following tensions between owner Ali Ghambari and employees regarding wages, according to a Seattle Times report.

Nguyen Coffee Supply Bags Coming to Albertsons Stores

New York-based Vietnamese coffee specialist Nguyen Coffee Supply announced the launch of its packaged coffees at more than 400 Albertsons Companies Inc. stores.

New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com

• Operations Manager – The Chicago Hire Company
• Barista – Bella Vita Coffee & Cream
• Customer Service Coordinator – Covoya Specialty Coffee

ICYMI

Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…

Angelino’s Coffee courtesy photo.

LA Roaster Angelino’s Coffee is Buying the World’s Most Prized Coffees at All Costs

In an unprecedented high-end buying spree, California roasting company Angelino’s Coffee has purchased all 11 top-scoring coffees from the 2024 Cup of Excellence (CoE) program… read more

Mill City Roasters Moving Into Massive New HQ in NE Minneapolis

Minnesota-based roasting equipment maker Mill City Roasters is prepping for a significant expansion this fall, with plans to expand to a nearly 40,000-square-foot-building in Northeast Minneapolis… read more

Fair Trade USA Founder Paul Rice Resigning as CEO

An influential figure in the fair trade movement over the past quarter century, Paul Rice is resigning as CEO of Fair Trade USA… read more

Coffee Crafters Launches the Valenta 3 Electric Roaster

Idaho-based roasting equipment company Coffee Crafters last month rolled out the next machine in its Valenta line of all-electric fluid-bed roasters, the Valenta 3… read more

Minneapolis Roaster Coffeewomple Embraces the Sustainability Journey

A roasting company in Northeast Minneapolis called Coffeewomple recently embarked on a journey towards high-quality and environmentally conscious coffee, opening a new roastery with an all-electric 15-kilo Giesen roaster at the core… read more

The April Hybrid Brewer Springing Forth This Fall

After building a devoted following for its original April Brewer, Danish coffee company April Coffee is launching a sibling device called the April Hybrid… read more