Coffee Prices Rise, 7 Brew Expands, EU Advances Environmental Standards

Global Coffee Prices Climb on Supply Concerns

The benchmark price for coffee rose to 380.85 US cents per pound on September 18, 2025, marking a 1.38% increase from the previous day. Over the past month, coffee prices have surged nearly 7%, with a 45% rise year-over-year, driven by concerns over limited global supply and trade tensions, including tariffs impacting US imports. Market analysts forecast prices could reach 422.17 US cents per pound by the end of the quarter and 461.59 within the next 12 months (Trading Economics, 18 September 2025).

7 Brew Gains Investment to Accelerate US Expansion

Franchise Equity Partners (FEP), a private investment firm, has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchisee of US drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew. This partnership aims to accelerate the opening of more than 200 new coffee stands across key states including Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Since 2021, 7 Brew has rapidly expanded from 14 to over 460 locations nationwide. The new investment brings operational expertise alongside capital to support the brand’s growth and customer-focused culture (Global Coffee Report, 19 September 2025).

European Coffee Federation Advances Environmental Impact Assessment

The European Coffee Federation (ECF) announced the completion of the Shadow Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) specific to coffee. This framework provides a harmonized, science-based methodology to assess the full environmental footprint of a cup of black coffee, covering cultivation, processing, packaging, distribution, brewing, and end-of-life stages. The initiative aligns with EU regulations aimed at anti-greenwashing and supports coffee companies in transparent sustainability reporting and climate resilience efforts (GCR Magazine, 19 September 2025).