starbucks – Page 2 – jamaicamocha

March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Prices to Fall

amber plus orchid back 6 adjusted second pic

The price of Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) coffee jumped so much in 2015 that it now rivals the price of Kopi coffee and outpriced itself from Hawaiian Kona, but what goes up comes down.

Coffee bars around the world historically offer Kona and JBM at roughly the same prices . The 2015 local coffee shortage and rise in Japanese demand changed that with JBM retailing at about $60 per pound from about US$35 a pound a few years earlier for quality beans.

It resulted in the wealthy huffing and puffing but still buying the luxury super-uber-yummy coffee from Jamaica. The regular rich however choose to drink tea instead ( Starbucks buys Teavanna ).

Jamaicamocha spoke to key dealers who predict the fall in price of JBM by 2017 due to reduced demand in Japan and ramp up in supply. “A large Japanese dealer stopped carrying JBM and other roasters in Japan are bailing and crying about the price,” said dealer A.

With the rise in prices for JBM every farmer’s son and grandson returned to till the soil. The rise in farmers on resuscitated lands will result in a jump in production and the magic number is 350,000 boxes for the crop year.

Hitting that target would put supply at a decade year high.

Another dealer said that JBM’s market is like a pyramid the higher the price the smaller the market. Simple economics dictates that price remains when demand and supply are in equilibrium: Yet demand is falling and the supply is rising.

Jamaicamocha believes on advise of dealers that the prices will fall back to about $45 a pound by 2017. Until then small poor farmers benefit. Dealers benefit and the discerning consumer gets his uber fix without counterfeits.

October 18, 2015October 18, 2015

Starbucks sells jamaica coffee this month

Starbucks started selling Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee this month at select stores in the United States.

Starbucks will buy beans originating from Amber Estate and St Cloud Estate in the Jamaica Blue Mountains. It will then ship, roast and bag the beans to Starbucks specifications.

The beans from Amber Estate are without doubt a superior bean. Its brews a coffee that’s heavy cacoa, gushing with lemony citrus.

Starbucks, which had stopped offering the beans for about a year in the US, sells an 8.8 oz bag for just under US$30. It describes the coffee as perfectly complex.

“This is a complex coffee with layers of citrus flavor and a hint of chocolate,” states the tweet.

On Starbucks’ official page, it indicates that its the 6th year featuring the coffee described as a “customer and partner favorite”.

“This world class coffee is always limited and we are delighted that we can enjoy it again this year,” stated

Jamaican coffee remains in short supply due to a series of natural – such as the recent drought – and man-made events.

“This coffee was grown beneath the peak of the 7,400-foot Blue Ridge. The dew, along with plentiful rainfall and fertile soil, helps create ideal growing conditions. After the harvest, each bean is scrutinized and certified to ensure nothing short of the highest quality. The result: a complex cup with layers of citrus flavor and a hint of cocoa,” Starbucks added.

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015

Salada Coffee complains of JBM prices

A respected local coffee brand SALADA Foods Jamaica Limited complained of Jamaica coffee price increases.

The increases slashed its gross margins by more than one-quarter, the company stated. It’s the latest processor to complain about the over 30 per cent price hike in one year, and 250 per cent hike over two years, towards $11,000 per box of coffee cherry. However the price rise is due to a severe supply shortage based on drought, disease, farm decay and now fire. Concurrently, large overseas buyers are demanding more coffee from Jamaica. On the micro-level farmers are demanding more per box due to the impact of currency depreciation on farm costs, and also the cost to protect the coffee against disease and theft. Two years ago processors paid roughly $3,000 for a box of coffee cherry to farmers.

“Profits continue to be adversely affected by the increases in price of coffee beans realised in the first quarter and the performance of its subsidiaries Mountain Peak Food Processors Ltd and Pimora Company Ltd,” stated Salada in a notice prefacing the financials signed jointly by Chairman Patrick Williams and Director Aubyn Hill. “The gross margin for the six months was 27.5 per cent, a reduction of 27 per cent when compared with the same period in the prior year. This resulted from the higher cost of coffee bean now being processed.”

Salada made $37-million profit before tax in the March quarter 2015 on $220 million in revenues, or 184 per cent higher profit year-on-year.

Just this week, large coffee processor Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Ltd makers of Jablum indicated that fire damaged at least $200 million worth of farms thus far. Last week US-based Marley Coffee cautioned its investors that the supply shortage of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee could affect its sales going forward.

In recent times, Salada has faced increased local coffee competition in both the instant and brewed markets. Salada in its previous quarter hinted that it would seek to launch new coffee products this year. However, its latest March financials failed to add information on product development.

Last year, large coffee company Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Ltd launched True Brew, an instant coffee. It also launched Jablum Caribbean Blend, a mixture of beans from Jamaica and the Caribbean. In 2012, it also launched a high-end product called Jablum Gold.

March 23, 2015March 23, 2015

Amber Estate Which Supplies Starbucks Beans Returns with March Roast

http://jamaicamocha.tumblr.com/post/114391194834

February 4, 2015February 4, 2015

Salada brewing new products

Salada Foods, a large coffee maker in Jamaica plans to launch new coffee products this year, according to its annual report.

The move comes within the context of increased rival coffee competition in both the instant and brewed segments.

“We strongly believe that creating new value for our customers is imperative to the success of the company, and with this in mind, in the upcoming year Salada will re-energise and revitalise our coffee category, providing our customers with new and improved products in the market space during the year,” stated the then Acting Managing Director Keshia Nelson-Brown in a statement accompanying the annual report 2014.

The annual report avoided disclosing additional information on the products. In late December, Salada advised that Jerome Miles would “replace” Nelson-Brown and commence work on January 5, 2015 as general manager.

February 4, 2015February 4, 2015

Salada Foods, a large coffee maker in Jamaica plans to launch new coffee products this year, according to its annual report.

The move comes within the context of increased rival coffee competition in both the instant and brewed segments.

January 5, 2015January 5, 2015

Wallenford Estate supplies Starbucks for 2015

Wallenford recently won the bid to supply global coffee chain Starbucks with single estate Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee in Japan stores for 2015.
It means that Starbucks will sell Wallenford single estate coffee exclusively in Japan.
Concurrently, Jamaicamocha understands that jamaica coffee from Amber Estate will continue to be sold in USA.

It’s Great news for Wallenford which last sold coffee to Starbucks about five years ago.

August 29, 2014

Kingston Coffee Culture

Ten new cafes opened in Kingston over the last 12 months.
Its a record number of cafes in the struggling Jamaican economy. Moreover the city didn’t even drink quality coffee until recently. The farms instead chose to export the best grades to Japan and most Jamaicans drink cheap instant shit.
Reduced export earnings forced farms to find new markets and that new market is domestic. It has resulted in the Starbucks culture finally brewing its way into the island even without a phsyical store presence.
Kingston now probably has about 15-20 proper cafes. Many are within hotels but also on every decent mall. The owner of one of the pioneering cafes said: “Where are most of these cafes now. I expect them to continue disappearing in a year”.

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014

Jamaica Blue Mountain Stout

US based AleSmith Brewing Company and Mostra Coffee launched
‘Jamaica Blue Mountain Speedway Stout’ since March.

Since its launch online fans have been mostly supportive but some question the use of high quality coffee as a “quirk”.

The team will source beans from Mavis Bank Coffee Factory in Jamaica makers or JABLUM.

The company says that US based coffee roaster, Mostra Coffee carefully roasted and cold brewed Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans to complement its award winning Speedway Stout.

They will lightly roast the coffee to enhance aromas and well-balanced chocolaty finish and add to the stout.
“Thanks to Mosta’s diligent work, these 100% Blue Mountain beans were sourced from the renowned Mavis Bank Coffee Factory in Jamaica,” added the company.

Speaking about the collaboration, Mike Arquines, Roaster for Mostra Coffee said, “This opportunity is surreal. Prior to this collaboration, AleSmith was one of my all-time favorite breweries! Speedway Stout was my first “gateway” craft beer experience. It blew my mind because I didn’t know that beer could taste like this. My Mostra team and I feel like this has been a match made in craft beer and coffee heaven because it brings together two companies who pride themselves with being able to provide an un-compromised experience and product. Cheers to more amazing collaborations in the future!”

George Allen, General Manager for AleSmith echoed Mike’s sentiments about the collaboration, “AleSmith prides itself on sourcing the highest quality coffees for our single varietal Speedway Stouts. With this in mind, we reached out to local roaster, Mostra Coffee. Mostra shares our commitment to quality and bettering the customer experience. After several cupping sessions we found the perfect match in Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. “

The beer goes on sale online (via Brown Paper Tickets) on Monday, March 3rd and AleSmith will host a release party at the brewery on Saturday, March 8th.

About AleSmith Brewing Company
AleSmith Brewing Company was founded in August 1995 in San Diego, California. The company currently employs 28 people and is projected to brew 15,000 barrels in 2014.

About Mostra Coffee
Mosta Coffee is a San Diego, California based artisan micro-roasting company that sources, roasts, brews and serves premium, fair-trade specialty coffee.

March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

Jamaica coffee lower yields

Jamaica Agriculture minister roger Clarke wants coffee farmers in the jamaica blue mountain and high mountain regions of Jamaica to hike coffee yields amidst a record fall off in production.
“What would u say is the average yield per acre of coffee?” Asked the minister to coffee experts and large farmers in February 2014.
Head of amber estate Dr Lyn which recently supplied Starbucks responded to the agreement of other farmers: ” would say 30-40 boxes per acre.”
Contextually the industry in the past produced multiples.
“I would say a profitable farm would produce 100 boxes an acre,” lynx added.

November 12, 2013November 12, 2013

Wallenford Estate Jacks up price 30%

Large Jamaica coffee brand WALLENFORD ESTATE hiked coffee rates in order to compensate for currency fluctuations management indicated to Jamaicamocha.

A typical 8ounce bag of beans can now go for over US$30 online (price + shipping).

Wallenford is amongst the most known brands of Jamaica Blue Mountain. So what the company does affects the industry.

The move resulted in all their products from Blue Mountaint to High mountain coffee increasing between 20-30%.

Brand loyalty will be severely tested in coming months based on price rise. The good news is that Jamaicamocha still offers the lowest rates based on our logistic efficiencies.

Cheers