Notes from the corridors
Market intelligence, regulatory developments and sourcing notes from the trade lanes we work in.
The December Deadline: What the EU Deforestation Regulation Means for Coffee Buyers in Africa
From 30 December 2026, a bag of coffee entering the European Union must be able to point to the exact plot of land it grew on. For African origins, this is either the largest barrier to market access in a generation or the moment traceability finally becomes worth paying for.
Africa Is Now South Africa's Biggest Agricultural Customer. Most Exporters Still Behave Otherwise.
In the first quarter of 2026, the African continent took 44% of South Africa's agricultural exports — comfortably more than the European Union. The trade data has shifted decisively. The industry's habits have not.
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Buying Coffee in an Expensive Market: Notes From the 2026 Price Cycle
Arabica futures touched around 348 cents a pound in early 2026, roughly double the pre-2021 baseline. For roasters and importers, the instinct is to trade down. We think that instinct is usually wrong, and the reasons are worth spelling out.
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The Gulf Is South African Wine's Quietest Success Story
While the industry watched the United Kingdom soften, exports to the UAE grew 38%. The Gulf is not a consolation market for South African wine. On current trajectory it is the most interesting one.
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Why We Score Everything: The Case Against Trusting Your Own Palate
Every product we consider is scored against a written framework before it enters the portfolio. Not because scoring is objective — it isn't — but because the alternative is worse in ways that are easy to miss until they cost you a client.
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