Coffee Prices Fall, Luckin Eyes Blue Bottle Deal

Coffee Prices Decline on Easing Supply Concerns

Arabica and robusta coffee futures fell sharply today, with March arabica down 1.99% and January robusta dropping 1.85%, hitting a 2.5-month low for robusta. Improved global supply outlooks from Brazil and Vietnam pressured prices, as Conab raised Brazil’s 2025 production estimate to 56.54 million bags, up 2.4%. Vietnam’s November exports surged 39% year-over-year to 88,000 MT. (Barchart, December 17, 2025, https://www.barchart.com/story/news/36649841/coffee-prices-fall-as-the-global-supply-outlook-improves)

Luckin Coffee Explores Bid for Nestlé’s Blue Bottle

China’s Luckin Coffee is reportedly considering acquiring Nestlé’s Blue Bottle Coffee brand to bolster its portfolio. The move aligns with Luckin’s strategy to enhance its premium offerings amid competitive growth in the specialty coffee segment. (The Exchange Asia, December 17, 2025, https://theexchangeasia.com/luckin-coffee-is-reportedly-thinking-about-buying-nestles-blue-bottle-brand/)

5 to Go Reports Strong 2025 Performance with 6.9M Lattes Sold

Romanian coffee chain 5 to go celebrated its 10th year, opening 98 new shops and reaching 720 locations across Romania and Bulgaria. The brand sold 6.9 million lattes, used 3.6 million litres of milk, and generated over €55 million in turnover despite fiscal pressures. Expansion targets 800 cafés by 2026. (Global Coffee Report, December 17, 2025, https://www.gcrmag.com/5-to-go-sells-6-9-million-lattes-in-2025/)

High Prices Drive Shift to Home Brewing and Drive-Thru Options

Record coffee prices are reshaping consumer behavior globally, with US cup prices up nearly 20% since 2023. Shoppers opt for home machines (UK Black Friday sales up 43%), whole beans, and drive-thru chains like 7 Brew, while legacy brands like Starbucks see visit declines. National Coffee Association notes US$100B annual spend persists via trading down. (The Business Times, December 17, 2025, https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/energy-commodities/high-coffee-prices-are-changing-how-consumers-take-their-daily-brew)

Disclaimer: This press review reports data and trends from third-party published sources. CoffeeBI is not responsible for the accuracy of the figures or the content of the original articles. For further insights or tailored analysis on the topic, feel free to contact CoffeeBI.