VISTA, Calif., USA – NUZEE, INC., a Company with a heritage in specialty coffee and an emerging business in broader consumer food and beverage products, announced that the Company has signed an endorsement agreement with five sports champions who will endorse the maca beverages (the “Macanuoli”) distributed and sold by the Company (the “Agreement”).
The five sport champions are Ms. Shurui Li, women’s basketball champion; Ms. Chenlin Zhou, trampoline champion; Ms. Lina Yi, tennis champion; Ms. Bingjian Li, bodybuilding champion; and Ms. Shuna Bai, cheerleading champion (the “Sport Champions”).
The term of the Agreement between the Company and the Sports Champions is one year (the “Cooperation Period”).
According to the Agreement, the images of the Sport Champions can be used for the Macanuoli’s packaging, advertisement and public relations activities during the Cooperation Period.
Macanuoli is the first plant-based energy drink launched by NUZEE. Macanuoli’s ingredients include plant extracts such as maca and Noni which help relieve physical fatigue, and enhancing immunity. Macanuoli is ideal for people who pursue safe, healthy, and natural food.
Ms. Jianshuang Wang, the Chief Executive Officer of NUZEE, commented, “The cooperation between the Company and the Sport Champions is the first marketing event of Macanoli Beverage in the market, and we hope to increase market awareness of our Macanuoli product. We also hope to convey positive sportsmanship attitudes through Macanuoli, advocate for a healthy lifestyle, and grow together with consumers.”
NEW YORK, USA – Dano’s Dangerous Tequila is launching its latest innovation: Coffee Reposado Tequila. This unique offering is a dangerously tantalizing blend of its premium reposado tequila infused with rich, organic Arabica coffee beans, creating a 70-proof spirit that promises to please tequila and coffee aficionados alike.
The new Coffee Reposado Tequila highlights Dano’s dedication to crafting distinctive and daring spirits. Aged to perfection in oak barrels for 9 months, the tequila develops smooth, award-winning notes before being infused with premium coffee beans.
This meticulous process ensures the perfect balance of flavors, resulting in a rich and irresistibly “dangerous” drinking experience. Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or as a bold addition to cocktails, Dano’s Coffee Reposado Tequila is poised to become a standout favorite.
Dano’s tequilas are produced at Hacienda de Reyes, the second oldest distillery in the world. Owned and operated by the Reyes family, all products are organic, additive-free, and 100% agave.
“Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or as a bold addition to cocktails, Dano’s Coffee Reposado Tequila offers a new dimension of flavor that we’re excited to share with the world,” says Dano’s CEO Chris Timmerman. “This launch represents our dedication to innovation while staying true to the authentic craftsmanship that defines our brand.”
Tasting Notes: An invigorating mix of sweet and salty from the aromas of caramel, vanilla, walnut, coffee and wood that finishes with agave notes of a finely aged Reposado tequila. It’s a complex yet balanced tequila unlike any other.
On the Nose: Caramel, vanilla, walnut, and coffee.
In conjunction with this exciting launch, Dano’s Tequila is also proud to announce a fresh new look for its entire lineup of tequila expressions. Each bottle will feature redesigned labels that reflect the brand’s vibrant and adventurous spirit. The new labels are designed to catch the eye and convey the “dangerous” allure that Dano’s Tequila embodies. Dano’s invites everyone to experience the bold new flavors and captivating new look of its products.
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – In August, it appeared the cocoa market entered a new phase characterized by “relatively low” cocoa prices. At the end of August, the monthly average cocoa price in London represented a six-month low at US$8,047 per tonne, while in New York, it was a one-month low at US$8,992 per tonne. These prices can be interpreted as ‘relatively low’ as they are about 133% and 163% above the average price recorded for August 2023 in London and in New York, respectively (Figure 1 and 2).
(data provided)
As shown in Figure 1, during the month under review, it was observed that the nearby contract (SEPT-24) in New York followed an upward trend, while it declined in London. It is worth noting that, since the start of the 2023/24 season, the price for the SEPT-24 contract for London has been above that of New York until August 2024 (Figure 3). Moreover, during the month, the difference between the SEPT-24 and DEC-24 contracts widened in New York, while it narrowed in London (Figure 1).
In August, between the SEPT-24 and DEC-24 contracts, the monthly average premium in New York was at US$1,710 per tonne and rose throughout the month, while in London it was at US$1,078 per tonne and tumbled (Figure 4).
The high prices in New York may be associated with the differences in either the level of stocks between New York and London or their rate of decline.
(data provided)
As West Africa feeds the London market, expectations for better supplies from the region, especially from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana for the upcoming 2024/25 season may be reflecting in the low prices seen in London. On the other hand, to make profit, traders in London may be taking a short position to sell now and later buy these contracts at a lower price.
(data provided)
Reports of conducive weather conditions, which is expected to bolster the 2024/25 main crop especially across the West African cocoa belt, were the main factor that provided the relief in prices.
The fall in prices signaled easing concerns about the availability of cocoa beans. As the market is approaching the end of the season, it is expected that origin selling in the coming weeks for the 2024/25 crop may further pressure prices downward. As at the time of publishing this report, Ghana has announced the opening of its 2024/25 season and informed the public of the expectation of a better production for the new season.
However, with the market still in backwardation, can we anticipate further price declines and improved availability of supplies? There has been a postponement of bean delivery from the current season to the 2024/25 season. Would upcoming supplies be enough to immediately satisfy the market?
As mentioned in previous reports, price increases which are expected to support farm investment will not lead to an immediate increase in supply due to the time lag effect. As a perennial tree, it can take three to four years for new cocoa trees to begin producing beans. Moreover, issues including diseases especially CSSVD and climate change persist and compound the problems faced by cocoa farmers.
OCCHIOBELLO, Italy – IMF, a leading Italian coffee roasting equipment manufacturer based in Occhiobello in the province of Rovigo, is celebrating 30 years in business. For this occasion, we interviewed Alessandro Garbin, CEO of IMF, Lorenzo Maria Mosca, chief technical department, Roberto Pedini, sales coordinator business development, and Dr. Giorgio Maria Mosca, area sales manager of the brand.
In the introduction and at the end of the interview, Alessandro Garbin makes an appointment for all “insiders” to visit the Occhiobello factory from 10 a.m. on Friday 20th September 2024, to be followed by the presentation of IMF, that on that day celebrates its first 30 years of activity.
From left to right: Giorgio Maria Mosca, Roberto Pedini, Andrea Giacomo Garbin, and Alessandro Garbin (photo granted)
Introduction by Alessandro Garbin, shareholder and CEO of IMF S.r.l.
Reaching these first 30 years of activity of IMF, an Italian company that designs, manufactures and installs coffee roasting machines and systems and that has now also established itself on international markets, is a great source of pride for me.
It gives me great pleasure to see the determination and passion that have always distinguished me in all these years of work in all my collaborators, in the workforce, in their daily work and also in their wish to celebrate our 30th anniversary by holding an event at the company today, Thursday 19, and tomorrow, Friday 20 September. It makes me all the more proud to see that I have been able to pass on a working philosophy that has enabled us to achieve so many positive results and reach so many milestones.
It is therefore with great pleasure and excitement that I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at IMF in Occhiobello for a visit to our production sites so that you can have an interesting and, we hope, enjoyable experience.
IMF has been designing and manufacturing roasters since 1994: how has this equipment evolved since then?
Lorenzo Maria Mosca, engineer, Chief Technical Department
The roasters produced by IMF, from the very beginning, have always been characterised and identified by their own particular technology; that means that, although one of our machines may be called a drum roaster, it could be defined as a hybrid, since the external heat generator is used to obtain an air convection method with the extraordinary result of obtaining all the positive aspects of both the drum and hot air machines on the final quality of the coffee.
Already born with an innovative and advanced technology from the thermodynamic cycle point of view, in fact, the main evolutions and developments that have taken place in the last decade have focused on important issues, such as energy savings, with solutions that have made for a considerable reduction in consumption and CO2 emissions.
The IMF logo (photo granted)
Important innovations have been applied, for example, to the management and automation of the control system of the roasters, both in the smallest and in the industrial-sized ones, developing increasingly effective integrated software also with the help of artificial intelligence, thus guaranteeing greater consistency of quality through faithful repeatability of the roasting processes during all shifts.
Also from a safety point of view, particularly in industrial-sized roasters, tools and equipment have been put in place to reduce risks and accidents at work, not least with the possibility of being constantly connected via the internet in order to benefit from continuous remote support and technical service.
IMF distinguishes between artisanal and industrial roasters: apart from size, what are the main differences between the two types?
Roberto Pedini, Sales Coordinator Business Development
Another trait of IMF is that it has actually adopted its own product strategy, meaning that it has not differentiated the standards and technological content in its roasters in products of different ranges, such as entry level or professional; in fact, both the small roasting machines for micro roastery businesses and the medium and industrial ones have the same equipment in terms of both thermodynamic cycles and control systems, i.e. process automation and roasting profile management.
Similarly, all IMF models are equipped with an indirect clean hot air convection cooking system, which, thanks to a single, dual-function heat generation boiler, generates the thermal energy required for the roasting process and, at the same time, treats the smoke produced by roasting in order to reduce emissions into the atmosphere.
With this strategic choice, IMF wants to provide all operators, regardless of the size and type of company they operate in, with the same highly professional tool that would allow them to get the most out of their raw material.
IMF also builds complete plants: what do they include? What are the advantages of choosing an entire line born in the same factory?
Giorgio Maria Mosca, Area Sales Manager
In addition to manufacturing a wide range of roasting machines, the main process machine that is indispensable for coffee roasters, ranging from the smallest, particularly suitable for micro roastery businesses and micro batches for so-called specialty coffee, to the largest for coffee industries requiring high productivity and low production costs, IMF has specialised in designing and building complete plants and lines for coffee processing; by complete plant, briefly, we mean what is needed from reception of the raw product to final processing, including transport, sorting, storage, and roasting, all more or less automated depending on the customer’s needs.
The complete line is always a good solution for the customer, but even more so for those new investors starting out in the coffee business; it is a considerable advantage to have a single point of contact responsible for the entire project. If this supplier can also act as a consultant – as is the case at IMF thanks to the profound knowledge of green coffee of Alessandro Garbin himself, who has been in the industry for three generations and has a long experience of coffee transformation processes in the roasting industry – the service becomes truly complete.
Today the goals are sustainability and energy savings: how does IMF face up to this double challenge? What does the future of coffee roasters look like? Can you share some insights with us?
Roberto Pedini, Sales Coordinator Business Development
IMF has always been sensitive and attentive to these important issues; these are challenges we are currently facing and with which both the coffee roasting sector and all production and raw material processing have been grappling for quite some time. This is why we have always relied on an integrated roasting and smoke treatment process for all our roasting machines that will make it possible to use less fuel, thus also reducing CO2 emissions. IMF is constantly researching new technical solutions that are part of the technological transition that is now required for all production processes.
IMF’s goal for the future is to increasingly reduce the use of fossil fuels, through alternative sources, be they renewables – such as photovoltaics and wind power combined to produce the electricity needed to power the electric motors of the roasting machines – or alternative fuels – such as hydrogen for the burners that produce the thermal energy needed for the roasting process.
We have already started applying and testing these technologies, but, for the sake of intellectual honesty, we must also say that their concrete application is reserved for small-scale machines, as the energy requirements for industrial machines used in large-scale industry are considerable; therefore, at the moment, these hydrogen production plants, which in any case require electricity, and the infrastructure, that leaves much to be desired, do not yet make industrial-scale realisations economically viable.
It is a given, in any case, that the use of software increasingly supported by artificial intelligence will progressively characterise advanced technological solutions aimed at improving the quality aspects of the final product and the machine-operator interface relationship.
At the same time, however, we are aware and convinced that the path towards the future passes through greater sustainability, so we are committed to do our best to be more eco-friendly than this unique world we have for the time being.
MILAN – Coffee futures markets closed mixed yesterday, on weather news and updated estimates. In London, the contract for November delivery of the Ice Robusta closed up a further $31 to a new high of $5,334. Ice Arabica’s main (December) contract lost 10 points to settle at 264.40 cents.
The bearish pressure in New York was partly due to a new report by Rabobank, which forecasts a 2.2% increase in world production 25 to 174 million bags in coffee year 2024/resulting in a slight surplus of just 1.3 million bags, made possible by a higher Arabica crop.
The prospect of a modest surplus, however, will not be enough to bring prices down.
“We maintain a neutral outlook for most of the remainder of 2024 due to the EU deforestation regulation (EUDR), port congestion, scarcity of containers, and the Red Sea crisis,” the Dutch multinational banking and financial services company points out in a note.
The EU “seems to be acting as a vacuum cleaner, absorbing a few million extra bags of coffee to beat the EUDR implementation deadline at the end of December 2024”, Rabobank also said although the bullish impact of the new rules could reverse next year.
For this reason, it seems difficult for the futures markets to turn bearish at the moment. “This is not just due to the EUDR, but also because there are about “3 million bags stuck in longer journey times, and a couple of million more waiting for containers.”
As for Brazil’s 2025/26 season, the potential of the Arabica crop is ‘hanging by a thread’, said Rabobank analyst Carlos Mera in an interview with Bloomberg.
Conab will release today its third official estimate of Brazilian production for crop year 2024/25. All details in tomorrow’s edition of Comunicaffe International.
SAO PAULO, Brazil – Prices for robusta coffee type 6 continued at high levels in early September, above values for arabica coffee (type 6 – delivered in SP), says CEPEA in its latest report. On September 13, the CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the robusta coffee type 6 closed at BRL 1,520.49/bag, while the CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the arabica coffee type 6, delivered in São Paulo, closed at BRL 1,483.12 per 60-kilo bag, with an advantage of 37.37 Reais per bag for robusta.
On September 5, the price gap hit 51.9 Reais/bag, a record. On Sept. 13, the Index for robusta prices reached a new record for Cepea series (which has started in November 2001) – IGP-DI August/24.
The market continues reflecting weather issues in Vietnam and in Brazil. In global terms, the balance between supply and demand remains limited, due to the restricted scenario of production.
In case of Vietnam, world’s largest robusta producer, there were forecasts of rainfall, but the warm weather continued to concern local producers.
As for Brazil, the forecast indicated above-average temperatures in early September. It is worth noting that the dry weather and the low volume of rainfall since April/May 2024 have been a big challenge for the beginning of the 2025/26 season in Brazil.
Players surveyed by Cepea say that wildfires were registered in coffee crops in Mogiana Paulista; however, there were only a few damages. The most concerning problem continues to be the lack of soil moist.
Kenya's coat of arms and the logos of the two agencies
NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)-Coffee Directorate have signed a collaboration agreement that will see the two agencies coordinate Kenya’s marketing efforts in emerging and established coffee markets.
The two agencies have been actively working together to roll out trade promotion initiatives to expand and diversify Kenya’s coffee into our key export markets, aiming for a 25% annual growth in exports, as outlined in the Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy (INEDPS).
Kenyan coffee exports have seen variations since 2016, largely due to reduced productivity. This decline is linked to shrinking coffee-growing areas as land use has shifted, coupled with rising production costs, unpredictable coffee prices, and inconsistent weather patterns.
Additionally, 97% of Kenya’s coffee has been exported as raw green beans, with the country heavily depending on traditional markets, leading to a decrease in total revenue.
“This collaboration aligns our goals with KEPROBA’s export promotion efforts, to tackle key challenges related to capacity building, broadening Kenya’s export range, product development, and market access. The partnership will equip local coffee producers with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed in the global market,” said Floice Mukabana, KEPROBA ’s CEO.
The collaboration aims to enhance Kenya’s coffee value chain for increased participation in export trade, boosting the country’s contribution to national development and economic transformation.
The Director General, AFA, Dr. Bruno Linyiru, OGW noted that with the collaboration agreement in place, the teams will implement a coordinated approach towards marketing of Kenyan coffee locally and internationally.
“Apart from promoting Kenyan coffee internationally, we need to encourage local consumption of coffee. Looking at leading coffee producing countries such as Ethiopia and Columbia, drinking coffee is part of the local culture. We need to do this in Kenya as coffee is a key product,” he said.
The parties agreed to work closely with coffee industry stakeholders to organize and participate in joint integrated marketing and communications initiatives including expos, trade fairs, buyer-seller meetings, origin trips or trade missions both locally and internationally with the intention of creating market linkage for Kenyan producers and exporters.
Key areas of collaboration include market research and intelligence where both parties will share data to guide producers in shaping effective export strategies, capacity building to empower coffee producers to meet international market standards and integrate into the export trade.
The Agencies will also develop and promote a unified Kenyan coffee brand.
The illy Art Collection designed by Stefan Sagmeister (picture granted)
TRIESTE, Italy – In 2024, illycaffè once again celebrates and supports the historic Barcolana international sailing regatta that symbolizes Trieste with a special illy Art Collection by Stefan Sagmeister, one of the leading contemporary graphic designers.
The encounter between Sagmeister and Barcolana is the fruit of illycaffè ’s intuition, which saw the concept of this year’s regatta, “Positive Energies” strongly reflected in Sagmeister’s work and invited the artist to express, through the regatta’s poster and a unique object like the iconic illy espresso cup, the renewed spirit of this event.
To bring the illy Art Collection Barcolana to life, Sagmeister chose the “Beautiful Numbers” approach, his source of inspiration over the last few years, in which an ancient oil painting and an infographic are intertwined and play off each other
The artist chose the blank canvas of the iconic illy cup to depict stylized sails of various sizes, representing the evolution of Barcolana regatta participants over the years, whose surfaces mirror the circular waves of the saucer, creating a connection with the sea in hues that match Barcolana’s “Positive Energies” theme.
The backdrop for the sails is an ancient painting depicting a delicate female figure in muted tones, reflecting the transformation of women’s role over time, particularly in sailing races, from mere spectators to great protagonists, as they are in today’s Barcolana.
The “Beautiful Numbers” aims to make its audience reflect on the positive developments in the world if seen from a long-term perspective, through a series of visuals that can place any phenomenon into its proper, decades- or centuries-long period.
The illy Art Collection for the 56th Barcolana is thus an invitation to take one’s time, including during a coffee break, to try to change one’s perspective on the world, encouraging an uplifting outlook and focusing on happiness.
“Once again, we decided to support Barcolana in its 56th edition and to celebrate it with an Artist’s Poster and a special illy Art Collection by one of the leading contemporary graphic designers, Stefan Sagmeister.
The intention is to convey a positive message of hope, by telling a tale of progress that reminds us of how important it is to fight for rights and freedom in sport, as in any other field”, states Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè
“I am very grateful to illy for involving me in this project, which gives me the opportunity to express my art through the iconic illy cup and to create a bond with the essence of the Barcolana event. The sails overlapping with a feminine figure, the lines and colours represent my desire to share an idea of evolution over time that can foster and disseminate a feeling of confidence in the future”, explains Stefan Sagmeister.
The illy Art Collection cup by Stefan Sagmeister will be available starting on September 24 at the suggested retail price of € 26.90, in single-brand stores (illy Caffè and illy Shop) and at www.illy.com.
About Stefan Sagmeister
Acclaimed New York-based designer and two-time Grammy award recipient, boasts an illustrious career and a diverse portfolio spanning commissioned design projects, book publications, films, exhibitions, and public installations. Sagmeister’s work is featured in eminent international institutions such as MoMA New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, SFMoMA, and MAK Vienna; his impressive roster of clients includes the Guggenheim Museum, the Rolling Stones, and HBO. In recent years, Sagmeister has shifted focus to explore themes of happiness, beauty, and human progress. Reflecting this intentional shift, his latest collection of works showcases “Beautiful Numbers” to illustrate improvements in human development over time, offering visitors an optimistic and inspiring message that “Now is Better”.
BROOKLYN, NY, USA – Nguyen Coffee Supply, America’s first specialty Vietnamese coffee importer & roaster, announced today the launch of its packaged Vietnamese coffee beans at 400+ Albertsons Companies Inc.’s banner stores (“Albertsons Cos”), one of the top five grocery chains in the United States.
This launch marks the company’s largest retail expansion for their packaged coffee line, which first became available online in 2018. Albertsons will carry three SKUs of Nguyen Coffee Supply’s Vietnamese coffee beans: Truegrit (100% Vietnamese robusta), Loyalty (a blend of Vietnamese robusta and arabica) and Moxy (100% Vietnamese arabica).
Founder and CEO Sahra Nguyen said, “Vietnamese coffee beans are truly different in flavor and energy. As a first generation Vietnamese American, it’s been my mission to share the flavors of my parents’ home country while elevating Vietnamese coffee farmers. With partners like Albertsons, we’re thrilled to introduce Vietnamese coffee to more people across America.”
Through years of collaboration with their direct trade farmers, Nguyen Coffee Supply’s arabica and robusta beans are grown in Vietnam, hand-picked at peak ripeness, processed through a full-washed method, then shipped to Brooklyn, New York where they’re roasted to highlight the unique flavors of Vietnamese coffee. Since the company’s inception, founder Sahra Nguyen has served as the company’s Head Roaster, personally developing every roast profile offered which include medium roasts, dark roasts and limited edition roasts.
This new expansion of Nguyen Coffee Supply into Albertsons marks a significant achievement for the company, as its physical retail presence has multiplied tenfold, now spanning over 2,500+ locations nationwide across multiple retailers.
Since 2018, Nguyen Coffee Supply has been importing Vietnamese coffee beans through direct-trade relationships and roasting fresh in Brooklyn, New York. These 5+ years, Nguyen Coffee Supply has championed the resilient robusta bean (a coffee species historically excluded from specialty coffee conversations) and fought for Vietnamese coffee to have a place on mainstream supermarket shelves.
SALT LAKE CITY, USA – Black Rifle Coffee Company, a rapidly-growing, mission-driven lifestyle brand and premium coffee company, today announced the appointment of Matt McGinley as Vice President of Investor Relations, effective immediately.
In this role, McGinley will cultivate meaningful relationships with the investment community, effectively communicating how the company’s mission and core values contribute to its financial performance by driving consumer loyalty, brand differentiation, and sustained growth.
“Matt is a proven leader with an extensive background in strategic finance and consumer packaged goods, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Black Rifle Coffee Company,” said BRCC Chief Financial Officer, Steve Kadenacy.
“With a wealth of experience as an analyst covering consumer sectors such as restaurants, retail, food manufacturing, and other industries, Matt is ideally suited to share with investors how BRCC’s innovative, brand-forward strategy positions the company to create long-term value.”
Matt brings to Black Rifle Coffee Company nearly two decades of experience as a consumer equity research analyst at firms like Morgan Stanley, Evercore, and Needham. He also honed his abilities in brand management at Kraft Foods, focusing on new product commercialization in coffee and managing brands like Kool-Aid and Country Time Lemonade.
Before entering the corporate world, Matt served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan early in the Global War on Terror. He holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BS in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
