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Tag: coffee

  • Indonesian coffee chain Tomoro Coffee expands into Singapore

    Indonesian coffee chain Tomoro Coffee expands into Singapore

    Tomoro Coffee has opened its first location in Singapore as part of its ambition to become Southeast Asia’s largest coffee chain.

    The location is inside the Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library at NUS Business School, aiming to convey the brand’s dedication to quality and affordability.

    “In today’s coffee culture, we’ve noticed a growing trend where many, especially the younger generation, enjoy caffeine multiple times a day,” said CEO Star Yuan.

    “Whether savouring a single cup or seeking a refill, Tomoro Coffee aims to be the ultimate destination for all your caffeine cravings. We invite coffee enthusiasts of all ages to join the Tomoro experience.”

    The brand intends to further grow its footprint throughout the city-state and into the Philippines. Tomoro Coffee currently runs more than 400 locations in Indonesia and China.

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  • China’s Cotti Coffee launches in Australia

    China’s Cotti Coffee launches in Australia

    Chinese coffee chain Cotti Coffee has made its Australian debut with a takeaway outlet in Sydney.

    The store, located in the Cabramatta neighbourhood, offers a wide range of beverage selections including rice milk, coconut, and grapefruit-infused coffee.

    Cotti Coffee, founded in October 2022 by former Luckin Coffee executives Charles Lu and Jenny Qian, currently has over 6000 outlets in China and has expanded into 11 international countries.

    Prior to the Australian launch, the brand opened its first stores in different markets including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

    The chain Cotti operates both single-store and regional franchise models in international markets.

  • Vietnam’s coffee export value doubles in January

    Vietnam’s coffee export value doubles in January

    Vietnam shipped 230,000 tonnes of coffee abroad in January, earning $623 million, up 61.6% in volume and 100.3% in value year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    In the last days of the Year of the Cat, the average coffee price in the Central Highland provinces continued to increase compared to the previous week. Coffee is being purchased at prices ranging from VND78,200 – 79,400 ($3.2-3.25) per kg in some localities. With the current upward trend, domestic coffee prices are likely to exceed VND80,000 per kg soon.

    A surge in domestic coffee prices was attributed to the fact that traders actively purchased coffee before the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday while exporters were afraid of supply shortages like last year so they tended to buy more.

    The coffee output of the 2023-2034 crop in Dak Lak province is forecast to reach 580,000 tonnes, thus the coffee export volume is estimated at 330,000 tonnes. If prices stay as high as they are now and fluctuate slightly in the near future, the province’s coffee export turnover could hit $900 million.

    Lam Dong province has about 175,700 ha of coffee and the output for 2023-2024 crop is expected to hit 535,000 tonnes.

    In 2023, Vietnam exported over 1.6 million tonnes, down 8.7% in quantity but up 4.6% in value compared to last year, reaching a record turnover of $4.24 billion.

    According to the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association (Vicofa), Vietnam’s coffee production in the 2023-2024 crop will be 1.6-1.7 million tonnes, lower than 1.78 million tonnes in 2022-2023.

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  • Paradox Coffee unveils its first limited-edition single-origin coffee

    Paradox Coffee unveils its first limited-edition single-origin coffee

    Paradox Coffee Roasters has introduced Los Contares Panama Geisha Natural, the brand’s first limited edition single-origin coffee, with only 100 tins produced and roasted to order.

    But it is not for the budget-conscious: Los Cantares Panama Geisha Natural comes in a 100gm numbered tin and sells for $65. It is only available to purchase online at paradoxroasters.com.

    The specialty fine filter coffee originates from Panama, Central America, and Paradox says it boasts “complex-tasting notes of strawberries, soft floral jasmine, nashi pear’s sweet acidity, and a gentle clean finish”.

    “It is not every day you come across a coffee with such a symphony of flavours,” says Yogesh, head coffee roaster, Paradox Coffee Roasters.

    “Every sip highlights how precious this coffee is and I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.”

    The tins also contain information on the coffee estate owned by coffee producer Marie Jackie Mercer, a brew recipe, coffee tasting notes, and a personalised invitation to a virtual coffee tasting session led by the brand’s training managers and head roaster.

    “Our virtual tasting session is designed as a journey of discovery,” says Nicole Saleh, MD at Paradox Coffee Roasters.

    “People who purchase this exceptional coffee can join our Paradox team online for an interactive coffee experience to learn more about the coffee origin and farm, how the coffee is roasted, how to brew this exceptional filter coffee, a discussion of the characteristics in the cup and what makes this Los Cantres Natural Panama Geisha so special”.

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  • Miracle Coffee opens flagship store in Singapore

    Miracle Coffee opens flagship store in Singapore

    Miracle Coffee has launched its flagship store in Singapore, succeeding the brand’s pop-up kiosk at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, which opened in September last year.

    The flagship location, created by Singapore firm Parable Studio, includes The Miracle Lab as a sharing platform to promote coffee and innovation conversations.

    Miracle Coffee, founded in 2017 by Singaporean musician JJ Lin, launched its first store in Taipei in 2017 and now has five locations in Taiwan and China.

    With a population of nearly 6 million, Singapore is an important market for foreign coffee brands due to its coffee-drinking culture. In the last 12 years, several coffee brands have arrived in the country, including Luckin Coffee, the South Korean business Compose Coffee, and Kenangan Coffee.

    However, in October, Singapore-based ‘tech-driven’ coffee business Flash Coffee closed all 11 outlets across the city-state, citing the need to “double down” on more promising areas.

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  • Coffee exports hoped to set new record

    Coffee exports hoped to set new record

    Vietnam’s coffee exports in 2023 are expected to break the record of US$4 billion in export value set in the previous year.

    According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the country shipped 1.36 million tonnes of coffee abroad, earning nearly $3.5 billion.

    Vietnam entered the new 2023-2024 coffee crop which began in October, when the export price reached a record high, at $3,603 per tonne, up 8.9% month-on-month, and 40.7% year-on-year.

    With over 710,000 hectares, Vietnam ranks sixth in the world in terms of coffee farming area, but has the second biggest output thanks to high yields (1.75-1.85 million tonnes).

    However, out of the total area, only 185,000 hectares have received sustainable production certificates of different kinds.

    Experts advised localities to expand such areas to meet the strict requirements of international markets.

    At present, the E.U. is Vietnam’s biggest coffee importer, followed by the U.S. and Japan. Although coffee exports to China do not account for a high proportion, many Vietnamese businesses are paying much attention to this market which has an average increase of more than 25% per year in imports.

    However, this is also a highly competitive market, requiring businesses to invest in diversifying specialty coffee products and processed coffee, and to meet strict quality standards.

    Coffee market expert Nguyen Quang Binh analysed that currently, major markets such as the E.U. and the U.S. are changing their consumption demand from importing coffee beans to processed coffee. Therefore, Vietnam must also prioritise investment in deep processing facilities to increase the value of coffee products and aim for sustainable development.

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  • Tomoro Coffee debuts in China, eyes SE Asian growth

    Tomoro Coffee debuts in China, eyes SE Asian growth

    Indonesia cafe chain Tomoro Coffee has entered the Chinese market, opening in Shanghai’s Qingpu E Link World Industrial Park.

    And the retailer says it is now targeting expansion in Southeast Asia.

    Tomoro Coffee opened its first store in Indonesia in August last year and has since expanded to 200 stores nationwide.

    The Jakarta-based coffee shop is seeking to open 4000 stores in Southeast Asia with 400 new stores in Indonesia next year, World Coffee Portal reported.

    In addition, it is exploring opportunities to open about 500 stores each in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

  • Cotti Coffee opens first location in Hong Kong

    Cotti Coffee opens first location in Hong Kong

    After expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, Chinese coffee chain Cotti Coffee has launched its first location in Hong Kong, with the first store in Indonesia in August.

    The Sheung Wan Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station location joins Cotti Coffee’s portfolio of more than 6200 stores worldwide, encompassing key cities in countries including Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.

    Cotti Coffee is one of the largest coffee chains in China and the official global sponsor of Argentina’s national football teams. Since its establishment, the brand has spread to 328 cities in 28 countries and markets.

    According to the coffee retailer, it will offer Hong Kong customers “distinctive flavors and technological innovation”. Customers can purchase classic coffee delights including Americanos, lattes, as well as other innovations like the Coco Cotti, Stardust Oat Latte, Pampas Blue Coco Latte, and Coco Pearl.

    The brand also introduces Grapefruit Sparkling Cold Brew, Grapefruit Hand-Shaken Iced Tea, and the “Rice Milk” line.

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  • Starbucks launches plan to cut $3 billion in costs over three years

    Starbucks launches plan to cut $3 billion in costs over three years

    Starbucks Coffee Company has announced Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Pumps – a long-term growth plan for brand elevation, global expansion, and cost efficiency.

    The company described the strategy as the “next step in the re-founding of the company” to deliver significant value to partners, customers and shareholders.

    The plan includes three priorities – elevating the brand, strengthening and scaling digital, and becoming truly global – along with “two pumps” – unlocking efficiency and reinvigorating the partner culture.

    The firm expects to generate $3 billion in savings over three years, with $2 billion outside the store from the cost of goods sold. This will enable the company to reinvest in the business and deliver returns to shareholders through earnings growth.

    Regarding brand elevation, Starbucks will focus on running better stores, growing the portfolio with more purpose-defined stores and renovations, and driving product innovation.

    The company intends to double its 75 million global Starbucks Rewards Members within five years and expand digital and technology collaborations to elevate the partner and customer experience.

    To become a more global brand, it has a goal to reach 55,000 locations across the world by 2030. The company currently has over 38,000 stores, with about 9000 new openings in the past five years.

    Starbucks will also reinvigorate the partner culture through continued investments in the partner value proposition across the partner experience.

    For FY23, Starbucks recorded an 8 percent increase in global comparable store sales, with North America and the US up 9 percent and international up 5 percent.

    The company’s consolidated net revenues rose 12 percent to a record $36 billion, excluding a 2 percent unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation.

    CEO Laxman Narasimhan said the company achieved strong results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year, which are on the higher end of its full-year guidance.

    “As we enter the current year, in the face of macro uncertainty, we remain confident in the momentum throughout our business and headroom globally,” Narasimhan added.

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  • Flash Coffee ceases operations in Singapore

    Flash Coffee ceases operations in Singapore

    Flash Coffee has shut its Singapore operations to focus on other markets, the company told CNA on Friday (Oct 13) in response to queries about its business here.

    The Singapore-based coffee chain had 11 outlets in Singapore, including one at Jurong Point where a sign on Thursday said employees were “on strike” over late salary payouts.

    “Contrary to reports, our staff in Singapore are not on ‘strike’,” the company said.

    “We ceased operations at our 11 stores, and consequently, our baristas are not required to report to work.”

    Flash Coffee said that to build a profitable and sustainable business, it decided to “further consolidate our future efforts and to double down on our most promising markets”.

    “To facilitate this renewed focus, we ceased operations in Singapore yesterday, comprising 11 stores out of our (around) 200 global stores,” it added.

    A search on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) portal showed that the company’s status was “in liquidation – creditors’ voluntary winding up”.

    Launched in 2020, Flash Coffee, with its iconic yellow storefront, also operates in Asian markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

    In 2021, it had almost 30 outlets in Singapore.

    Flash Coffee, a non-unionized company, said it is “proactively assisting” affected team members.

    “Most of our Singapore head office staff have been offered roles in other markets or with our regional team. Additionally, we are actively trying to connect our baristas with opportunities in other coffee chains,” it added.

    A union said on Friday night that Flash Coffee’s employees affected by the sudden closure of the outlets are owed outstanding salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. They also had prevailing leave entitlements.

    Salaries owed to workers comprise the balance of 75 per cent of their September salaries, as well as wages for work done until Oct 12. It also includes the encashment of remaining leave days, said the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers’ Union (FDAWU).

    “The workers engaged by the union shared that there were no explicit plans to put up any coordinated action following companies’ sharing of the situation at hand,” the FDAWU added.

    The union also said it is assisting affected members with salary-related claims and will provide job assistance support.

    CNA has contacted Flash Coffee to ask about the outstanding salaries owed to workers.

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  • Hunt and Brew launches Ethiopia-sourced cold brew black coffee

    Hunt and Brew launches Ethiopia-sourced cold brew black coffee

    Coffee maker Hunt and Brew has launched its new single-origin cold brew black coffee without added sugar.

    The company sources the beans of the new cold brew black coffee from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. The product will be sold in 400ml bottles in Coles supermarkets starting October 16 and in Woolworths supermarkets in Western Australia beginning November 6.

    It will also be available in select independent and convenience stores.

    “Our new Ethiopia Cold Brew Black Coffee caters to an emerging consumer segment that’s seeking dairy-free alternatives and healthier beverage choices,” said Jake Calabrese, brand manager at Hunt and Brew.

    “It’s also perfect for busy professionals on the lookout for quality and convenience in their lives.”

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  • Indonesian cafe chain Kenangan Coffee enters Singapore

    Indonesian cafe chain Kenangan Coffee enters Singapore

    F&B unicorn Kopi Kenangan, known as Kenangan Coffee outside Indonesia, has expanded its footprint into Singapore, opening its first store at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

    The Singapore expansion follows Kenangan Coffee’s international debut last year in Malaysia, where it currently has more than 20 stores.

    “The profound love that Singaporeans have for coffee, from kopitiams to contemporary cafes, inspired Kenangan Coffee’s leap into this vibrant market,” said Edward Tirtanata, group CEO and co-founder of Kenangan Coffee. “The city’s diversity and its global F&B prominence make our expansion here a pivotal milestone.”

    The company said it plans to expand its presence to other Southeast Asian countries before expanding globally.

    “…We aspire to be the most-loved consumer brand in Southeast Asia, and Singapore will be a key foothold in helping us achieve this mission,” said James Prananto, co-CEO and co-founder of Kenangan Coffee.

    Kopi Kenangan became the first F&B unicorn in Southeast Asia early last year after raising US$96 million in a Series C funding round, which valued the company at more than $1 billion. The coffee chain, founded in 2017 by Tirtanatam, Prananto, and Cynthia Chaerunnisa, has more than 900 stores across Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

  • Coffee prices on the boil in Vietnam

    Coffee prices on the boil in Vietnam

    Robusta coffee prices have risen to a record VND68,000 ($2.79) per kilogram, up 76% since the beginning of this year.

    Prices have also been rising globally. On Monday rose by $10-39 per ton to $2,551-2,566 in London.

    The prices of Arabica, another coffee variety, rose in New York by 0.45-0.95 cents per pound to $158-162. A kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

    Vu Duc Con, deputy director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said one of the reasons for the rising prices is that the harvest season has yet to arrive while stocks from the previous season have mostly been sold.

    He added that prices would be more reasonable in the next two months when the coffee crop ripens.

    Hung, owner of a coffee factory in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, said farmers sold out their coffee stocks around a month ago.

    He is not buying now since the high prices would hit his profit margin.

    The Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association has forecast coffee yields to drop by 10-15% in the 2022-2023 season to 1.47 million tons due to high heat.

    In Dak Lak, authorities expect outputs to decline since farmers have been switching to growing other crops such as durian and avocado.

    In the first eight months Vietnam’s average coffee export price reached a new peak of $3,054 per ton, up nearly 30% year-on-year.

    The coffee was shipped to 38 markets, with the E.U. and U.S. being the largest buyers.

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  • Starbucks opens 100th store in Vietnam

    Starbucks opens 100th store in Vietnam

    Starbucks Vietnam celebrated its 10-year journey in the country with the grand opening of the 100th store in Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi on Saturday.

    Located in a new entertainment and shopping complex in Hanoi, the 100th store is designed to pay homage to the beautiful natural environment through a selected blue accent colour and a warm material palette.

    In February 2013, Starbucks marked its footprint in Vietnam by opening its first store in Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, it has steadily expanded its presence and now operates in nine cities and provinces across the country.

    According to an August report by iPOS.vn on Vietnam’s F&B market in the first six months of 2023, the market displayed strong volatility, with most businesses either witnessing a decrease in revenue or maintaining similar figures compared to the same period the previous year. However, many businesses remain optimistic about a market turnaround.

    A survey of 200 restaurant and cafe owners indicated that 40.1% of F&B businesses anticipate positive signals in business activities in the second half of 2023. This shows, despite certain challenges, Vietnam is still regarded as a “fertile land” for international brands in the F&B sector.

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  • Blue Bottle Coffee opens kiosk popup in Hong Kong

    Blue Bottle Coffee opens kiosk popup in Hong Kong

    Coffee brand Blue Bottle Coffee has launched a new pop-up café at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to connect travellers with unique coffee-to-go experience amidst their travels.

    This comes as the brand saw Hong Kong International Airport as a bustling hub for travellers from around the world. By setting up the kiosk at the airport, Blue Bottle aims to cater to a diverse audience of coffee enthusiasts and provide them with a moment of respite and enjoyment amidst their travels.

    Another reason behind the move was Blue Bottle’s ambition to expand its reach in Hong Kong and offer its meticulous craft and care in each cup to travellers passing through the airport. Starting from 5 September 2023, the Blue Bottle  Coffee Kiosk offers travellers enhanced coffee experience ahead of their flights through this coffee-to-go experience from the morning to midnight hours.

    Done in collaboration with local PR agency Dynamic Duo PR (DDPR), the setup of the pop-up kiosk comes along with the brand’s mission of “meeting coffee lovers everywhere so they can experience the best of what coffee has to offer at their convenience”. The pop-up kiosk is promoted via Blue Bottle’s Instagram.

    Fiona Yu, director, global kiosk formats, Blue Bottle, said: “With the opening of our new pop-up kiosk at Hong Kong International Airport, it’s a privilege for us to bring our deep passion for delicious coffee to travellers. At Blue Bottle, our dedication has always revolved around making specialty coffee more accessible, and we’re excited to reaffirm this commitment to connecting people with exceptional coffee experiences with this new location.”

    Founded by James Freeman in Oakland, California, in 2002, Blue Bottle has expanded its footprints across the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong over the past 15 years. ⁠Most recently, Blue Bottle Coffee Hong Kong partnered with drinkware brand MiiR to unveil new straw lids to contribute towards sustainability and elevate consumers’ drinking experience. According to Blue Bottle, the flexible silicone straw adjusts to different cup models, while the vacuum-sealed lid ensures spill-free portability. ⁠

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