News

Sept 17th 2008

The London-based International Coffee Organisation estimates that global coffee production in 2008/09 will reach about 131 million 60kg bags, up from a previous estimate of 128 million, according to Reuters Business News.

The revised estimate comes as Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry’s crop supply department, Conab, raised its estimate for Brazil’s 2008/09 coffee crop to 45.85 million bags, up from 45.5 million projected in May. The ICO estimates the 2007/08 global coffee crop unchanged at 118.2 million bags.

World coffee consumption was seen climbing to around 128 million bags this year if current growth rates continue, up from 124.7 million in 2007. The report didn’t give details on the expected implications for future coffee prices.

A 60-year-old Winnipeg woman successfully battled a carjacker this week, armed only with a cup of coffee. Sandy Bruderer was driving to work early on Wednesday and was stopped at a red light when a man with a knife opened her car door and ordered her to get out.

Bruderer instead started screaming and leaned on the horn. “Then I realize I’m leaning on the horn like this because I’ve got hot, hot coffee. So, wham, I just flung that coffee at him, and I know I got him, because there was no coffee in the van,” she told CBC News. (more…)

EDITORIAL
21st August 2008

As you may know, this magazine is a supporter of the concept of fairly-traded coffee, but it’s interesting to see how the Fairtrade organization (run under the auspices of Oxfam aid organization) has become proprietary about the use of the ‘fair trade’ terminology.

Several newspapers have reported a recent spat between McDonalds, which uses Rainbow Alliance coffee [www.rainforest-alliance.org], and the Fairtrade Organization. It centres around the use of the word ‘fair’. The problem is that McDonalds have recently been running TV commercials showing South American coffee farmers, and using the words ‘a fair deal for workers’ in their script.

Click here to go directly to this topic on the Crema Forum to share your opinion and read what others have had to say, or/ (more…)

Prices of coffee in key international markets are expected to stay firm on the short term, after an overall increase in the cost of agricultural and mineral commodities.

Analysts said the trend would further be supported by a sizeable drop in export volumes of the commodity following hitches in several producer countries including Brazil.

A market report by the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) showed that exports during the first nine months of the coffee year 2007/08 fell by 4.3 per cent to 71.29 million bags-triggering a tight market condition that upholds prices on demand factors. (more…)

Editorial 30th July 2008

Well, it had to happen. Not wanting to say ‘I told you so’, but we’ve been forcasting the demise, or at least the diminishing, of the Starbucks’ empire in Australia for a number of years. 

A recent article in The Australian newspaper refers to recent sour news out of the company’s US [Seattle] headquarters as a possible reason for Starbucks’ abrupt decision to close 61 of its 84 Australian stores, but we have felt for a long time that there was a much stronger reason – the inherent strength of Australia’s domestic espresso industry.

On observing Starbucks’ worldwide rise over a number of years, they have clearly been a phenomenal success story in most countries where their tentacles have reached, but for a few countries – most notably Italy, and now Australia. And the reason is clear – its the strength our own domestic espresso culture.

A recent second place in the World Barista Championships in Copenhagen, along with three consecutive winners of the World Latte Art Championships are testament to this. It’s actually a huge compliment to the increasing strength and depth of our own unique espresso culture!

Ashley Felderhof, Founding Director of Crema Magazine, was interviewed by ABC News Radio to give his opinion on the demise of Starbucks in Australia. Click here to listen to the interview.

A story just in from Reuters Kampala, written by Frank Nyakairu, reports that changing weather patterns in Uganda may lead to the extinction of the east African country’s key export, coffee, in coming decades.

The story goes on to explain that Uganda is Africa’s second biggest coffee producer after Ethiopia and has become a major player in robusta coffee production after political unrest in former top grower Ivory Coast slashed output.

“The outlook is bleak. If the average global temperatures rise by two degrees or more, then most of Uganda is likely to cease to be suitable for coffee..this may happen in 40 years or perhaps as little as 30,” the report said. (more…)

Reuters Nairobi has reported that Kenya’s coffee output will rise 38 percent to 57,830 tonnes in 2008/09 (Oct/Sept) crop year, from an estimated 41,861 tonnes this year, on improved farming practices and good weather, a trade association said on Monday.

A terrible bout of Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) caused a drop in production in 2007/08 but a crop survey by the Kenya Coffee Traders Association (KCTA) held in May showed that unseasonal rains caused flowering in January-March.

“Due to unusual intense flowering of the coffee trees in January, a big proportion of the late crop will mature and ripen earlier than normal by nearly two months,” the Kenya Coffee Traders Association (KCTA) said in a report. (more…)

Sydney turned on a perfect winter’s day for this years Aroma Festival, bringing with it people by the thousands, and thousands… and thousands! The smell of coffee, spice and all things nice filled the air as the western bank of Circular Quay through to the Overseas Passenger Terminal thronged with the sound of bands playing and people chatting over their $1.00 cups of coffee.

Roasters and baristi converged from all over Australia to showcase their coffee – and the crowds took the opportunity, as they lined up 20-30 deep at each stand, of tasting some of the best single origins and blends that Australia has to offer. (more…)

An article published in the Melbourne Herald Sun reports that a cup of coffee and a bowl of pasta could make the ideal recovery session for athletes heading to Beijing, Melbourne research has found.

The article, written by Kamahl Cogdon, goes on to say that an RMIT (Royal Melb. Institute Technology) study shows glycogen, the main fuel source for muscles, is replenished faster when elite athletes consume both caffeine and carbohydrates after exercising. (more…)

A story from the Atlanta Business Chronicle (June 27th) reads – Is coffee not giving you enough kick? The Coca-Cola Co. has created a combination coffee and energy drink called ‘Full Throttle Coffee’ that will be making a nationwide debut in August.

Coca-Cola said the beverage is made with 100 percent premium Colombian Arabica coffee and Full Throttle’s energy and vitamin blend. It comes in mocha, vanilla and caramel flavors. 

“Guys are increasingly looking for great-tasting beverage options that will give them the extra ‘kick’ they need to conquer their day,” said Rafael Acevedo, senior brand manager, Energy Drinks, Coca-Cola North America. “Full Throttle Coffee combines the smooth, rich taste of coffee with the intensity that you can only get from a Full Throttle Energy Drink.”

The marketing for the new product will sport the tagline: “Coffee. Fully Charged.”

Will it make it in Austalia? Only time will tell and, anyway, our coffee is better here in Australia – so we don’t need it!