The global coffee industry experienced a flurry of headlines in October 2025. From record-breaking prices and labor disputes to cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and competitions, the month illustrated how dynamic coffee has become. The digest below summarises notable stories and provides links to further reading.
International Coffee Day
International Coffee Day on 1 October 2025 emphasized collaboration throughout the coffee supply chain. The International Coffee Organization encouraged governments, businesses, and consumers to celebrate by sharing stories and registering events. Executive Director Vanúsia Nogueira said the theme “Embracing Collaboration More Than Ever” highlights how many hands and hearts bring coffee to consumers. Read more
Market turbulence: price spikes and tariff tensions
Coffee prices hit a new record in late October, reaching US$4.35 per pound. Analysts linked the spike to volatile weather in Brazil, dwindling inventories ,and hefty U.S. tariffs on Brazilian coffee. With a 50 % tariff in place, some U.S. roasters delayed purchases or diverted shipments to Canada, driving supermarket prices up 41 % year-on-year. Read more
Regenerative coffee sales triple in the UK
British demand for regenerative coffee surged this year. Brazilian cooperative Expocacer reported that high-end buyers have tripled their orders, from 26 tonnes in 2024 to 70 tonnes for the 2025-26 harvest, with pre-orders already set to double again. Regenerative methods-planting multiple species between coffee trees-boost soil health and biodiversity, and traceability certifications make these coffees attractive to UK buyers. Read more
Jack Simpson crowned World Barista Champion
The World Barista Championship returned to Milan in October, where Australia’s Jack Simpson clinched first place after finishing second in 2024 and third in 2023. Fifty national champions competed at HostMilano, with China’s Simon SunLei and Canada’s Ben Put taking second and third. The event celebrated its 25th edition and highlighted the growing prestige of barista competitions. Read more
AI voice ordering and new menu items at Starbucks
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol revealed that the company is testing AI-driven voice ordering. In the future, customers could say, “I need my Starbucks order. I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” and pick up their drinks without opening the app. Niccol also hinted at protein-rich breakfast items and small-scale alcoholic beverages like espresso martinis. Read more
AI companies open coffee pop-ups
AI firms are turning to coffee shops as a tool for brand building. Perplexity opened Café Curious in Seoul, where an AI DJ picks the music and subscribers enjoy half-price drinks. Anthropic ran a week-long Claude pop-up in New York, and productivity software company Notion continues its series of Cafe Notions pop-ups. Read more
Sustainability and climate concerns
A report from the nonprofit Coffee Watch warned that deforestation is imperiling Brazil’s coffee regions. More than 11 million hectares of forest have been lost since 2001, with 700,000 hectares cleared on coffee farms. Only about one percent of Brazil’s central coffee areas use agroforestry practices, and continued forest loss threatens rainfall patterns and increases drought risk. Read more
Workers and labor news
Starbucks Workers United began voting on a strike authorization in late October. The union organized rallies and pickets in 60 cities, and if approved, more than 12,000 baristas across 45 states could walk out. The union also filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, arguing that Starbucks’ labor practices conflict with Olympic ethics. Read more
Colombia’s record harvest and looming decline
Colombia produced 14.87 million 60-kg bags of coffee between October 2024 and September 2025-the country’s best harvest in more than three decades. Favorable weather and crop renewal boosted output, but the National Federation of Coffee Growers expects the 2025/26 crop to shrink due to heavy rains earlier this year. About 540,000 Colombian families depend on coffee farming, so a decline could be significant. Read more
Recognition for innovation
World Coffee Research’s Innovea Global Coffee Breeding Network was named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025. The program connects institutions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to develop disease-resistant arabica and robusta varieties, and its 11 partners collectively produce more than 40 % of the world’s coffee. Read more
Looking ahead
October showed that coffee isn’t just a beverage-it’s tied to climate, technology, labor, and innovation. With market volatility likely to continue and environmental pressures mounting, collaboration and research will be essential. The industry is also celebrating cultural milestones like the World Barista Championship’s 25th anniversary and responding to consumer demand for sustainable and regenerative coffees. Read more
