The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by MAP IT FORWARD

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Discussion Group. Join our Roasted Coffee tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 5 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.In the final episode of the series, Lee Safar explores what coffee businesses should be paying attention to as geopolitical conflict begins to reshape global trade systems.Rather than focusing on predictions, Lee encourages the industry to watch signals — measurable indicators that reveal how the crisis is evolving and how it may impact coffee supply chains.Four signals are particularly important.The first is shipping routes, including the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Changes in shipping routes, container availability, and freight costs can dramatically affect the movement of coffee around the world.The second signal is energy markets. Oil and natural gas prices influence fertilizer production, transportation costs, roasting energy expenses, and overall agricultural economics.The third signal is trade consolidation. As crises intensify, smaller businesses may struggle while larger companies expand their influence through acquisitions and market consolidation.The fourth signal is supply chain resilience. Businesses that diversify suppliers, maintain inventory buffers, and strengthen relationships across the supply chain will be better positioned to adapt.Lee argues that the coffee industry must broaden its focus beyond cup quality to include logistics, geopolitics, energy markets, and financial risk.Understanding these signals will help businesses make better strategic decisions as global uncertainty continues to unfold.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 4 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.In this episode, Lee Safar explores the macroeconomic ripple effects that global conflict can trigger across the coffee industry.War affects far more than the regions where fighting occurs. It disrupts the systems that power global trade — energy markets, shipping networks, financial systems, and currency stability.Lee breaks down three major economic forces already shaping the global response to the conflict.The first is oil and energy shocks. Rising oil prices affect nearly every aspect of the coffee industry, from fertilizer production and farm inputs to transportation, roasting energy costs, and food inflation.The second is freight inflation. As geopolitical risk increases, shipping insurance costs rise and logistics companies reroute vessels to avoid dangerous areas. These disruptions increase the cost of moving goods globally, including green coffee.The third is currency and financial volatility. Because coffee and oil are traded in US dollars, instability in currency markets can ripple across coffee-producing countries, affecting export pricing, producer income, and hedging strategies.These interconnected pressures create powerful inflationary forces throughout the coffee value chain.From rising farm input costs to higher freight prices and increased retail prices, the economic effects of conflict extend far beyond the battlefield.In the final episode of the series, Lee explores what the coffee industry should be paying attention to now in order to prepare for what may come next.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 3 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.In this episode, Lee Safar explores how geopolitical conflict exposes the uneven distribution of risk across the coffee supply chain.The coffee industry often speaks about producer vulnerability, but crises like this reveal how risk moves through every layer of the supply chain, from farmers and exporters to traders and roasters.Lee explains how producers may face indirect impacts through rising fertilizer costs, fuel price volatility, and export delays that strain already fragile farm economics.Exporters often carry the largest financial exposure during logistics disruptions. With coffee already purchased and contracts to fulfill, delays in containers, shipping schedules, and currency markets can create significant financial pressure, particularly for smaller exporters.Traders typically have more tools to hedge against volatility, while farmers increasingly use supply and demand dynamics to manage risk by delaying sales when prices are unfavorable.Roasters and downstream buyers ultimately feel the cumulative effect of disruptions earlier in the supply chain, including rising freight costs, unpredictable arrivals, stock shortages, and pricing instability.The episode highlights the importance of understanding risk across your entire supply chain and strengthening relationships with partners who can navigate uncertainty together.In the next episode, Lee explores the economic domino effect of geopolitical conflict across the coffee industry.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523Episode DescriptionThis is Part 2 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.In this episode, Lee Safar explores the shipping system that moves coffee around the world and explains why disruptions in West Asia could have significant implications for the global coffee industry.Approximately 80–90% of global trade moves by sea, and coffee is deeply dependent on those maritime logistics systems.Lee explains the importance of several key trade routes that shape global coffee movement, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal. These waterways connect Africa, Asia, and Europe and carry enormous volumes of global trade.When shipping routes become unstable due to conflict, ships may be forced to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles and weeks of travel time. This increases fuel costs, freight prices, insurance premiums, and supply chain uncertainty.The episode also explores why these disruptions affect different coffee supply chains differently. Coffee moving from East Africa and Asia toward Europe relies heavily on the Red Sea corridor, while some Latin American routes may be less directly affected.Understanding these logistics systems is essential for coffee professionals trying to navigate the uncertainty created by geopolitical conflict.In the next episode, Lee explores who is likely to be hit first in the coffee value chain as these disruptions unfold.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

This episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 1 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry.In this solo episode, Lee Safar explores why geopolitical conflict has a direct and immediate impact on the coffee industry.Coffee is one of the most globally traded commodities in the world. While we often think of coffee as an agricultural product, the reality is that coffee moves through a much larger system that includes energy markets, global shipping routes, and financial trade systems.When conflict emerges in regions that sit at the centre of global trade — particularly in West Asia — the ripple effects move quickly through those systems.In this episode, Lee explains three key systems that shape how coffee moves around the world:• Energy and fuel markets• Global shipping routes and maritime trade corridors• Trade finance and the banking systems that support global commodity marketsUnderstanding these systems is essential for anyone working in coffee today. As conflict unfolds in one of the most strategically important regions for global shipping and energy, the coffee industry will likely experience ripple effects across pricing, logistics, and supply chains.This episode sets the foundation for the rest of the series, where we’ll explore the shipping crisis, the economic domino effects across the coffee value chain, and what coffee professionals should be paying attention to as global conditions evolve.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Discussion Group. Join our Roasted Coffee tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 5 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association.In this final episode, Rebecca explains how the Australian coffee industry is entering a new phase of development.For decades, Australian farms relied on just a small number of coffee varieties. Today, growers are participating in global research programs testing dozens of Arabica varieties to determine which ones perform best in Australian conditions.The discussion also explores Australia’s strict biosecurity protections, which have kept major coffee diseases out of the country while also limiting access to new plant genetics.Rebecca shares how new varieties, collaborative research programs, and new growers entering the industry may shape the future of coffee production in Australia.The episode closes with a reflection on the importance of land stewardship, regenerative farming practices, and leaving the farm healthier for the next generation.Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 4 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association.In this episode, we explore the relationship between biological farming practices and coffee quality.Rebecca explains how regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health through microbial diversity, compost systems, cover crops, and reduced chemical inputs. These biological systems encourage beneficial microbes that help unlock nutrients and deliver them to plants. The conversation also explores practical techniques being tested on Australian coffee farms, including worm composting, compost teas, wood-based compost, and agricultural waste streams used to build soil fertility.These approaches are part of a growing movement in agriculture focused on building resilient farming systems that support long-term productivity and potentially influence crop quality and flavor.In the final episode of the series, we explore the economics and future of Australian coffee farming.Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523Episode DescriptionThis is Part 3 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association.In this episode, Rebecca explains the major structural and economic challenges facing Australian coffee farmers.Land in Australian coffee regions can cost millions of dollars, and farmers must invest heavily in equipment, processing infrastructure, and labour just to operate. Australia also lacks cooperative processing systems common in other coffee-producing countries, which means smaller growers often struggle to access harvesting equipment or mills.The conversation also explores labour costs, regulation, harvest timing challenges due to rainfall patterns, and the economic reality that many coffee farms must rely on value-added businesses like roasting in order to remain financially sustainable.This episode offers an honest look at why producing coffee in Australia is so challenging — and why those challenges reflect broader economic pressures across the global coffee industry.Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 2 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld’s Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association.In this episode, we move from history into the present and explore what makes Australian-grown coffee distinct in the cup.Rebecca explains how coffee in Australia is grown in a cooler subtropical climate rather than in the tropical environments that define most coffee-producing countries. In regions such as northern New South Wales and parts of Queensland, coffee grows in rich volcanic soils and ripens over an extended cycle of around eleven months, which contributes to sweetness and flavor development in the fruit.She describes the taste profile often associated with Australian-grown coffee as naturally sweet, chocolate-forward, and berry-like, with differences emerging between regions depending on climate, soil, and local conditions. The conversation also explores how some Australian coffees share similarities with certain Kenyan and Hawaiian coffees, while still expressing a distinctly Australian terroir. We also examine the relationship between landscape and farming practicality. Because many Australian coffee farms are located on rolling land rather than steep mountain slopes, some are able to use machinery in ways that would not be possible in many traditional coffee-growing regions. Rebecca explains why that matters economically, particularly in a high-cost producing country. The episode also introduces the varietals that have historically been grown in Australia, including K7 and Catuai, and discusses how newer cultivar trials are helping growers understand which varieties may be best suited to future Australian production. We also touch on processing methods, with Rebecca explaining why wet processing has traditionally been used in much of Australia due to the local rainfall patterns and lack of long dry harvest windows. This conversation provides a deeper understanding of how climate, soil, altitude-equivalent conditions, varietals, and farm infrastructure all combine to shape the flavor and farming reality of Australian-grown coffee.In the next episode, we explore the challenges Australian coffee farmers are facing right now, including costs, climate, scale, and the pressures shaping the future of the industry.Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 1 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld’s Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association.For many people in the global coffee industry, the idea that coffee is grown in Australia still comes as a surprise. Yet modern coffee farming in Australia has been developing for more than four decades.In this episode, Rebecca explains how the modern Australian coffee industry began in the 1980s, when a small number of growers in northern New South Wales and far north Queensland began planting Arabica coffee commercially. She shares how her own family became part of that movement, planting coffee behind Byron Bay and helping establish one of the early farms in the region. The conversation also reaches further back into history, examining Australia’s little-known coffee-growing past in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when coffee was grown successfully enough to win awards in Europe before the industry faded. Rebecca explains how that historical record gave early growers confidence that quality coffee could once again be grown in Australia. We also explore what made Australia’s coffee sector different from the beginning. Many of the early growers were not generational farmers but people entering agriculture after careers in other industries. That shaped the way farms developed, how value-adding became part of the business model, and why some growers moved into roasting and direct sales rather than simply exporting green coffee. Rebecca also reflects on how Australia’s volcanic soils, cooler subtropical climate, and longer ripening periods created the foundation for a distinctive coffee-growing environment. At the same time, high labour costs and rising land values made profitability far more challenging than in many traditional producing countries. This episode sets the foundation for the series by explaining where Australian coffee farming came from, why it remains relatively small, and why it matters in the wider global conversation about coffee origins, value creation, and farming viability.In the next episode, we look at where Australian coffee is today, focusing on terroir, climate, varietals, and the distinct flavor profile of Australian-grown coffee.Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 5 of a five-part series with Carol Salloum, cofounder of 3Tomatoes and Almond Bar in Sydney, Australia. In Surviving 2025 and 2026 as a Café Owner, we have explored volatility, pricing pressure, loyalty, systems, and leadership.In this final episode, we examine the secret sauce behind long-term café success. Carol shares how strong systems create consistency, why operational cadence matters, and how genuine hospitality cannot be faked. We discuss the cultural roots of Syrian hospitality, the importance of presence and example-setting as an owner, and why small invisible details shape the customer experience.The conversation explores the difference between mechanical service and heart-driven hospitality, and why businesses built on values and generosity outlast trend-driven venues.Connect with Carol Salloum and 3Tomatoes here:https://www.instagram.com/3tomatoesau/https://www.3tomatoescafe.com/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 4 of a five-part series with Carol Salloum, cofounder of 3Tomatoes and Almond Bar in Sydney, Australia. In Surviving 2025 and 2026 as a Café Owner, we examine how hospitality businesses endure volatility and uncertainty.In this episode, we focus on what business owners must prioritise moving into 2026. Carol reflects on surviving the GFC, Sydney’s lockout laws, and COVID, and explains why the ability to pivot is fundamental to longevity.We explore why raising prices endlessly is not sustainable, why retaining customer volume and loyalty can matter more than chasing higher margins, and why owner presence is critical. Carol shares how leading by example, building strong systems, and maintaining genuine connection with customers creates resilience in times of crisis.The conversation also challenges hype-driven business models and highlights why values-driven hospitality remains the most durable strategy in volatile environments.Connect with Carol Salloum and 3Tomatoes here:https://www.instagram.com/3tomatoesau/https://www.3tomatoescafe.com/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 3 of a five-part series with Carol Salloum, cofounder of 3Tomatoes and Almond Bar in Sydney, Australia. In Surviving 2025 and 2026 as a Café Owner, we explore how continued volatility is reshaping hospitality.In this episode, Carol shares what makes her nervous heading into 2026. The risk is not just rising costs. It is café owners who do not understand their numbers, who price based on competition rather than their own financial structure, and who rely on hype instead of loyalty.We discuss Australia’s saturated café market, why opening a café based on perceived profitability is dangerous, and how pricing must begin with cost structure and demographic awareness. Carol explains the importance of knowing your customer, understanding psychology, and building genuine connection.The conversation also explores connection as the new form of luxury and why hospitality businesses that cannot create meaningful human experiences will struggle as volatility continues.Connect with Carol Salloum and 3Tomatoes here:https://www.instagram.com/3tomatoesau/https://www.3tomatoescafe.com/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Discussion Group. Join our Roasted Coffee tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community.Episode DescriptionThis is Part 2 of a five-part series with Carol Salloum, cofounder of 3Tomatoes and Almond Bar in Sydney, Australia. In Surviving 2025 and 2026 as a Café Owner, we examine how ongoing volatility is impacting hospitality businesses from the inside.In this episode, we focus on the customer. As living costs rise, spending habits are shifting. Customers may still be coming, but they are ordering differently. One coffee instead of two. Simpler menu items instead of premium dishes. Cafés are absorbing silent margin pressure while trying to remain supportive community spaces.We explore the disconnect between what customers expect cafés to charge and the actual cost structure behind coffee, food, wages, rent, insurance, and utilities. Carol shares why hospitality is often perceived as charity, why small add-ons create hidden costs, and how emotional labor has become part of the café business model.The conversation also unpacks hype culture in hospitality, from acai bowls to viral drinks, and why trend-driven traffic does not create long-term loyalty.Connect with Carol Salloum and 3Tomatoes here:https://www.instagram.com/3tomatoesau/https://www.3tomatoescafe.com/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523Episode DescriptionThis is Part 1 of a five-part series with Carol Salloum, cofounder of 3Tomatoes and Almond Bar in Sydney, Australia. In Surviving 2025 and 2026 as a Café Owner, we explore what navigating one of the most volatile years in hospitality actually looked like inside a functioning, community-driven café business.Carol shares how 2025 unfolded beyond rising coffee prices. Electricity, gas, ingredients, wages, staffing challenges, and emotional pressure from customers all compounded at once. We discuss how café owners were forced to make difficult pricing decisions, how pop-up dinners were used to stabilize revenue, and why simply raising menu prices rarely covers the full increase in operating costs.We also explore how the Australian coffee industry is shifting, why profitability is becoming harder even for experienced operators, and how Gen Z staffing dynamics require more emotional leadership and energy from business owners than ever before.This episode sets the foundation for the series by grounding the conversation in lived experience rather than theory. If you are a café owner, hospitality operator, or industry professional trying to understand what survival actually required in 2025, this conversation will resonate.Connect with Carol Salloum and 3Tomatoes here:https://www.instagram.com/3tomatoesau/https://www.3tomatoescafe.com/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorJoin the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Live Discussion Group and network with other like-minded coffee professionals and business owners from around the world and across the value chain https://patreon.com/mapitforward Episode DescriptionThis is the final episode of our five-part series with Ana Donneys from Cafe Primitivo.We examine the short-term, medium-term, and long-term outlook for smallholder producers if volatility continues. Ana explains that while the C market price is falling, farm-level costs, climate instability, and currency fluctuations remain. She discusses the need for producers to detach their pricing from corporate commodity structures and to assert pricing based on their real cost of production. We also explore acquisition strategies, the shrinking number of hectares dedicated to coffee, and the misconception that supply will suddenly flood the market.Finally, Ana speaks about hope. Technology, AI tools at farm level, knowledge-sharing between producers, transparency, and collaboration across the value chain are the forces that may define the next decade of coffee.Volatility is not ending. The future depends on whether the industry chooses to respond collectively.Guest linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/Website: https://www.cafeprimitivocolombia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadonneys/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorLooking to advertise your business on a Map It Forward podcast? Email us at support@mapitforward.org or DM us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Episode DescriptionThis is Part 4 of a five-part series, The Reality of Being a Smallholder Coffee Farmer in Volatility, with Ana Donneys from Cafe Primitivo in Colombia.In this episode, we move from diagnosis to responsibility.After examining yield loss, currency shifts, financial market instability, and the lived experience of volatility, we now ask what it will take to move forward together as value chain partners.Ana emphasizes that redistribution of risk will only come through real conversations across the value chain. Producers must understand the pressures faced by roasters and buyers, but buyers must also understand that smallholders are carrying climate, currency, and market risk simultaneously. She also speaks directly to producers. This is a moment where smallholder farmers must see themselves not as “the poor part” of the supply chain, but as business owners. That means improving efficiency, understanding cost structures, adopting regenerative practices, using data, and leveraging new tools including AI to forecast production and manage risk more intelligently.We also discuss generational transition. If the next generation of producers does not see a viable value proposition in coffee, they will leave. And if producers decide not to sell when conditions are unfair, the industry must be prepared for that reality.This episode challenges every stakeholder. Producers must grow into their power. Roasters must understand they operate in a commodity business, not just hospitality. Consumers must be educated about what cheap coffee truly costs at origin.Moving forward requires courage, transparency, innovation, and shared responsibility.Guest linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/Website: https://www.cafeprimitivocolombia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadonneys/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 3 of a five-part series, The Reality of Being a Smallholder Coffee Farmer in Volatility, with Ana Donneys from Cafe Primitivo in Colombia.In this episode, we examine what “high prices” actually mean at farm level.After experiencing yield reduction, rising input costs, currency devaluation, and increasing financial pressure, Ana explains that recent price levels have not translated into meaningful profitability. For many producers, these prices have barely covered cost of production.We explore the role of currency exchange in shaping margins, including how contracts signed in US dollars interact with expenses paid in Colombian pesos. We also discuss the hidden costs of marketing, trade shows, and relationship-building — investments producers must make to sustain direct trade relationships.The conversation widens into financial market mechanics. Coffee futures pricing is influenced not only by supply and demand fundamentals, but also by hedge fund positioning, margin calls, currency trades, and macroeconomic forces unrelated to farm production. These second-order financial effects can push prices down even when physical coffee remains scarce.For smallholder farmers, these shifts are not abstract. They create uncertainty in planning, cash flow pressure, and concern about long-term viability.Ana closes this episode by stating clearly: these are not high prices. They are prices that barely cover cost.If we do not separate financial market volatility from farm-level economics, we risk misunderstanding what sustainability truly requires.Guest linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/Website: https://www.cafeprimitivocolombia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadonneys/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523Episode DescriptionThis is Part 2 of our five-part series with Ana Donneys from Cafe Primitivo.Direct trade is often framed as the solution to structural imbalance in coffee. In this episode, we unpack what it actually requires from a smallholder producer.Ana explains that direct trade takes years to build. It requires aligned values, transparent communication, and strong relationships. It also requires significant capital. Producers must sustain operations for months while waiting for contracts to be fulfilled and payments to clear. Unlike traditional cooperative sales, which may provide faster liquidity, direct trade can amplify short-term financial stress, particularly during volatile periods.We also explore how climate volatility compounds this stress. Rising unpredictability in rainfall patterns, yield instability, and multi-year climate disruption create structural fragility that direct trade alone cannot solve. This episode offers a grounded perspective on how direct trade functions in practice — and who carries the burden when volatility increases.Guest linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/Website: https://www.cafeprimitivocolombia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadonneys/***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.comEpisode DescriptionThis is Part 1 of a five-part series, The Reality of Being a Smallholder Coffee Farmer in Volatility, with Ana Donneys from Cafe Primitivo.In this opening conversation, we unpack what volatility truly means for smallholder producers.Volatility is often discussed in relation to the C market, futures prices, or export trends. For smallholder farmers, however, volatility is lived through yield loss caused by climate shifts, rising fertiliser and labour costs, unpredictable exchange rate movements, and limited access to financial risk management tools.Ana shares a real example of signing a direct trade contract at what appeared to be a strong exchange rate, only to experience a significant drop in yield and a peso devaluation that altered her cost structure dramatically.When production volume drops, cost per pound increases immediately. When currency shifts, the value of revenue changes in local terms. When labour and inputs rise, margins tighten further. In this context, high global coffee prices do not automatically translate into stability or profitability.The conversation also addresses the structural gap between corporate farms, which may have access to hedging instruments or financial advisors, and smallholder producers who cannot afford the capital required to participate in those tools.This episode reframes “high prices” by grounding them in the layered financial realities of farm-level economics.Guest linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeprimitivo/ Website: https://www.cafeprimitivocolombia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadonneys/ ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: support@mapitforward.org