MAP IT FORWARD Middle East by MAP IT FORWARD

November 12, 2026Episode 114427 min

Benecke Coffee: The Real Cost of Not Paying Coffee Producers (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1144 Part 4 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor Want to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group ? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up for the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. This community is open to all stakeholders in the coffee industry Episode Description This is part 4 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator. This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, focusing on the fight to get coffee producers paid. What happens when millions of dollars remain unpaid for coffee already delivered? And even if the money is eventually recovered, can the financial damage be reversed? In this episode, Lee and Pedro explore the consequences for affected cooperatives in Peru and Honduras. Óscar explains how delayed payments have created tensions within cooperatives, reduced working capital, restricted access to financing and affected coffee production. Some producers are now supplying coffee on credit to help their cooperatives survive. In Honduras, Rodolfo explains how COMSA's financing model has been disrupted, leaving the cooperative with more than $3 million in bank debt. Financial institutions are reducing their lending commitments, while some producers have begun selling through other cooperatives. Olvyn reveals that COMSA has accumulated more than €400,000 in financing interest, adding to its liquidity, solvency and operational challenges. Both the Honduran and Peruvian cooperatives are continuing to operate, but the consequences extend well beyond their balance sheets, affecting producers, families and future harvests. This episode raises an important question for the global coffee industry: Even if producers eventually receive what they're owed, who compensates them for the financial damage caused by waiting? Connect with our guests: Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.comsa.hn/ Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/ Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/ Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafab Catch up on our previous Benecke coverage: Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656 Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661 Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666 If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 11, 2026Episode 114330 min

Benecke Coffee: Producers Still Owed Millions After Coffee Was Sold (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1143 Part 3 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This 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. New office now open in the UK. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/ WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is part 3 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator. This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and we're continuing the fight to get coffee producers paid. The coffee was produced, certified, exported and delivered. J.J. Darboven has told Map It Forward that it paid its 2025 invoices to Benecke. Yet millions of dollars remain outstanding to coffee producers in Honduras and Peru. So where did the money go? In this episode, Rodolfo explains COMSA's understanding of the transactions involving Benecke and J.J. Darboven, and the frustration of knowing that coffee was delivered while more than $3 million remains unpaid to the Honduran cooperative. He questions how such significant financial exposure could arise from a longstanding commercial relationship and why the cooperative must now depend on an insolvency process to recover money for coffee it supplied. Óscar shares information from the insolvency administrator's earlier reports, including approximately €11 million in reported assets and other amounts, encompassing cash, inventory and receivables. He raises questions about how much remains available, what expenses have been incurred, what other creditors are owed, and why the affected cooperatives have not received more detailed information. The discussion also explores what producers and cooperatives can do to protect themselves in future international coffee transactions. Óscar outlines how access to buyers' financial information and factoring services could help cooperatives evaluate commercial risk before exporting coffee. Rodolfo discusses potential changes to shipping documentation and payment arrangements, including retaining original bills of lading until payment is received, using letters of credit, and exploring the possibility of cooperatives establishing their own importing businesses in consuming markets. These are important questions for the entire coffee industry, not just those directly affected by the Benecke insolvency. If coffee producers meet their contractual obligations and deliver their product, what protections should exist to ensure they receive payment? And what needs to change so that the financial risks of international coffee trading are no longer disproportionately carried by producers? Connect with our guests: Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.comsa.hn/ Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/ Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/ Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafab Catch up on our previous Benecke coverage: Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656 Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661 Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666 If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 10, 2026Episode 114230 min

Benecke Coffee: Who Will Help Producers Get Paid? (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1142 Part 2 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by CoffeeListings.com , by Map It Forward - the marketplace where the coffee world does business. Find or list coffee, equipment, services, jobs, businesses, wanted ads, and other opportunities across the global coffee industry. www.coffeelistings.com Episode Description This is part 2 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator. This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and we're continuing to explore the fight to get coffee producers paid. Millions of dollars remain outstanding. But who can still help recover the money owed to the affected cooperatives? In this episode, Lee and Pedro ask their guests what the coffee industry can do to support the producers in Peru and Honduras, and whether the attention generated by Map It Forward's previous coverage has helped move the situation forward. Rodolfo reflects on the breakdown of a 23-year commercial relationship with Benecke and the extraordinary financial risks that coffee producers carry when exporting to international buyers. He also acknowledges the support COMSA has received from other coffee businesses, including German buyers who continue to maintain responsible trading relationships. Óscar explains how public discussion of the case has helped affected Peruvian cooperative members better understand what happened, while also raising awareness of the vulnerability producers face when international buyers fail to pay. Beyond the outstanding payments, the cooperatives are dealing with legal costs, uncertainty, pressure from their members, and potentially reduced access to financing. The conversation also examines the role of public accountability, reputational consequences for businesses involved in coffee supply chains, and the responsibilities of those overseeing the insolvency proceedings. Óscar explains that the Peruvian cooperatives have requested further information from the insolvency administrator. If adequate information is not forthcoming, they are considering making a formal complaint to the Hamburg court to seek greater transparency about the proceedings. This episode raises an important question for the global coffee industry: when producers fulfill their contractual obligations but don't get paid, who is prepared to help them recover what they're owed? Connect with our guests: Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.comsa.hn/ Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/ Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/ Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafab Catch up on our previous Benecke coverage: Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656 Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661 Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666 If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 9, 2026Episode 114130 min

Benecke Coffee: Millions Still Owed to Coffee Producers (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1141 Part 1 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Cropster , technology built by coffee people to help coffee businesses manage more of their workflow, from contracts and costs to inventory, roasting, quality control, fulfillment, and café intelligence. Learn more at: https://hubs.la/Q04w4bKG0 Episode Description This is part 1 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator. This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and the focus is now firmly on the fight to get coffee producers paid. Two months after our previous conversations, there have been some significant developments. Óscar reports that two of the four Peruvian cooperatives have now received 100% of the money owed to them, while another has received 50% and a fourth approximately 25%. He explains how their legal representatives identified contractual provisions that helped secure those payments outside the ordinary insolvency distribution process. In Honduras, COMSA reports receiving approximately $172,000 after deductions for one container, leaving eleven containers still awaiting payment. The conversation raises questions about the contractual rights of coffee producers, payments reportedly made by J.J. Darboven to Benecke, the involvement of UniCredit, and the information available to affected creditors. We also discuss how the cooperatives are communicating with the insolvency administrator, their concerns about transparency, and unanswered questions surrounding the sale of Rehm & Co. to Sucafina. This episode offers an important update on the progress made, the money still outstanding, and the challenges facing cooperatives trying to recover payment for coffee they delivered. Connect with our guests: Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/ ‍ ‍ https://www.comsa.hn/ Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/ Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/ Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafab Catch up on our previous Benecke coverage: Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656 Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661 Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666 If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 6, 2026Episode 114032 min

Why I Challenge the SCA, Coffee Competitions and Industry Norms (Lee Safar) | EP1140 Part 5 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor Want to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group ? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up for the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. This community is open to all stakeholders in the coffee industry Episode Description This is part 5 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. In this final episode of the final solo series of 2026, Lee answers questions submitted by the Map It Forward community alongside some of the questions she's most frequently asked about the podcast, the coffee industry, and her personal journey. The conversation begins with a lighter question from Mia Feinstein about Lee's favourite coffees and roasters, including Stitch Coffee https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ in Sydney, Bunah Coffee https://www.instagram.com/bunahcoffee.co/ in Saudi Arabia, and Kurasu in Kyoto https://www.instagram.com/kurasu.kyoto/ Bean Inspired Coffee Roasters https://www.instagram.com/beaninspiredcoffeeroasters/ then asks what makes a producer-to-importer-to-roaster relationship genuinely beneficial for producers. Lee explains why the people connecting producers and roasters are so important, highlighting the roles of transparency, traceability, responsible payment practices, and long-term commercial relationships. She shares examples of businesses and people she believes are building responsible coffee supply chains, including Arcadia Green Coffee https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/ , Angel Barrera from Belco https://www.instagram.com/koliafobiano/ , Arkena Coffee https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/ , Honduran Coffee Alliance https://www.instagram.com/hondurancoffeealliance/ , and Semilla Coffee https://www.instagram.com/semillacoffee/ . Lee also recommends recent podcast conversations with Felipe Croce and David Bray from The Common Ground Collective and Bram de Hoek from Paso Paso. The discussion then turns to a question from Bill Harris about the cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Lee shares a message from Rodolfo Peñalba at COMSA about the importance of maintaining relationships with producer cooperatives and why small roasters should not be expected to carry the financial burden of larger companies' failures. Lee also answers several frequently asked questions: Why does she live in Dubai? How can someone become a guest on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast? Why is she so critical of the Specialty Coffee Association? And why does she believe coffee competitions distract the industry from more pressing commercial and structural problems? She explains her expectations for podcast guests, her concerns about the SCA's role as an industry organisation, and why she believes the industry should give greater priority to governance, fair pricing, and sustainable business models. The episode closes with Lee reflecting on what she hopes the future of coffee will look like: an industry where responsible businesses with responsible pricing models become the standard rather than the exception. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafar Map It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffee If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 5, 2026Episode 113925 min

Coffee Business Survival Guide: Preparing for 2027 (Lee Safar) | EP1139 Part 4 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor Want to increase your B2B brand awareness in the coffee industry? Advertise on this Map It Forward podcast. Email support@mapitforward.org and start the conversation today. Episode Description This is part 4 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. In this final solo series of 2026, Lee examines how coffee businesses can prepare for what she believes will be an exceptionally unpredictable and challenging year across the global coffee industry. In this episode, Lee offers a practical guide for existing coffee business owners and entrepreneurs considering entering the industry in 2027. She begins with a difficult question: should every struggling coffee business continue operating? Lee discusses the reality of financially distressed or "zombie businesses" and why, for some exhausted owners, closing responsibly and with dignity may be a better option than taking on further financial and personal hardship. For those committed to continuing, Lee explains why responsible business practices and responsible pricing models need to become the foundation for navigating uncertainty. For aspiring coffee entrepreneurs, she challenges unrealistic profit expectations and recommends entering the industry with a thorough understanding of market volatility, operating costs, and at least 12 months of capital to cover operating expenses and the cost of goods sold. Lee then outlines the essential business fundamentals that owners should revisit before 2027, including defining their values, vision and mission, understanding financial statements, calculating cash runway, and finding practical ways to improve cash flow. She also discusses the importance of conducting due diligence on suppliers, understanding the financial health of B2B customers, spending within your means, and resisting the temptation to compete by copying other businesses. The episode provides four scenarios for businesses to prepare for: declining costs, stable costs, increases of approximately 10%, and increases of 20–30% or more. Finally, Lee emphasises why strong professional and personal support networks, alongside physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, will be essential for business owners navigating the challenges ahead. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafar Map It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffee If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 4, 2026Episode 113819 min

Coffee Consumers Are Changing. Is Your Business Ready for 2027? (Lee Safar) | EP1138 Part 3 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This 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. New office now open in the UK. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/ WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is part 3 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. In this final solo series of 2026, Lee explores why 2027 could be an exceptionally unpredictable year for coffee and what businesses across the global supply chain need to do to prepare. In this episode, Lee focuses on the consumer and why coffee businesses can no longer assume that customers will continue absorbing rising prices. After years of inflation, household debt, and mounting cost-of-living pressures, consumers are adjusting their spending habits. Some are visiting cafés less frequently, brewing more coffee at home, switching to more affordable brands, or looking for different products that better suit their budgets and preferences. At the same time, coffee businesses are facing rising operating expenses, from rent and energy to financing and labour. Lee explains why concentrating exclusively on green coffee prices overlooks the wider financial pressures affecting profitability. She also challenges coffee businesses to reconsider their assumptions about consumer preferences, including growing demand for blends, darker roasts, and more accessible coffee products. Rather than expecting customers to adapt to the products businesses want to sell, Lee encourages owners to understand their customers as they are today, not as they were when the business first opened. The episode offers a practical framework for navigating changing consumer behaviour, including stronger communication plans, customer acquisition and retargeting strategies, reviewing product mix and pricing, and building the agility to respond quickly when market conditions change. Central to the discussion is Map It Forward's mission to help build responsible businesses with responsible pricing models. Lee explains why listening to customers, living within your means, and creating value across your business ecosystem could make the difference in 2027. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafar Map It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffee If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 3, 2026Episode 113720 min

Why Coffee Businesses Should Rethink Risk in 2027 (Lee Safar) | EP1137 Part 2 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by CoffeeListings.com , by Map It Forward - the marketplace where the coffee world does business. Find or list coffee, equipment, services, jobs, businesses, wanted ads, and other opportunities across the global coffee industry. www.coffeelistings.com Episode Description This is part 2 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. In this series, Lee examines why 2027 could be an exceptionally challenging year for the global coffee industry and what businesses can do to prepare for uncertainty. In this episode, Lee challenges the increasingly popular mindset that businesses need to take big risks to achieve big rewards. She explains why understanding financial exposure, reducing unnecessary risk, and strengthening relationships across the coffee supply chain could be essential to surviving 2027. Drawing on the Benecke Coffee insolvency, Lee explores the vulnerabilities within coffee's commercial structures, including bank financing, margin calls, credit terms, delayed payments, hedging, insurance, working capital, and contractual obligations. She explains how financing and risk are frequently passed between businesses across the supply chain, from importers financing green coffee to roasters extending credit to cafés, and why financial distress at one point can have consequences for everyone connected to that business. Lee also encourages coffee professionals to understand the financial health of their customers, suppliers, and other commercial partners, recognise early signs of distress, and carefully review contracts and financing arrangements. Central to this discussion is Map It Forward's philosophy of conspiring to each other's success. Lee explains why building transparent, mutually supportive business ecosystems, sharing risk responsibly, and prioritising cooperation over destructive competition could be among the most important strategies for navigating 2027. The episode closes with a caution about pursuing business growth without substantial financial reserves in an uncertain market. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafar Map It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffee If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

November 2, 2026Episode 113624 min

Why 2027 Could Be Coffee's Most Challenging Year (Lee Safar) | EP1136 Part 1 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Cropster , technology built by coffee people to help coffee businesses manage more of their workflow, from contracts and costs to inventory, roasting, quality control, fulfillment, and café intelligence. Learn more at: https://hubs.la/Q04w4bKG0 Episode Description This is part 1 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. In this final solo series of 2026, Lee examines why she believes 2027 could be an exceptionally unpredictable year for coffee businesses across the global supply chain. Lee revisits her prediction that 2026 would deliver a different financial reckoning for every coffee business, depending on how it had been built and managed. She now believes 2027 could be the year the industry has to pay that bill. The episode examines seven significant pressures facing the industry: climate disruption, unreliable market forecasts, rapid technological change, geopolitical instability, consumer spending pressures, record debt, and increasingly desperate business practices. Lee also discusses the importance of verifying information, protecting businesses from scams and exploitation, evaluating technology investments carefully, and understanding the effects of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The central message is that coffee professionals need to understand the risks ahead and prepare their businesses for a year in which familiar assumptions may no longer hold. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafar Map It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffee If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

October 29, 2026Episode 113525 min

New Coffee Farming Models for the Next Generation (Felipe Croce & David Bray) | EP1135 Part 5 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Advertising Sponsor Want to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group ? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up for the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. This community is open to all stakeholders in the coffee industry Episode Description This is part 5 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests on the podcast for this series are Felipe Croce from FAF Coffees in Brazil and David Bray from Blue Butterfly Coffee Roasters in Ireland, co-founders of The Common Ground Collective. The theme of this series is A New Way of Building Coffee Supply Chains. What would success look like for a coffee supply chain built around shared risk, regenerative agriculture, and long-term commercial partnerships? In the final episode of this series, Felipe and David explain how they intend to measure the success of The Common Ground Collective over the next five, ten, and twenty years. David reflects on how becoming a production partner has changed his understanding of coffee supply chains and why he believes meaningful relationships between producers and roasters require more than traditional sourcing arrangements. Both founders explain that their ambition isn't necessarily to build an increasingly large organisation, but to explore whether their approach could become an adaptable model for other farmers, roasters, and exporters. The conversation explores the potential for regenerative agriculture to improve farming systems, the importance of commercial stability, and the opportunity to encourage younger generations to pursue careers in coffee production. David also shares how Blue Butterfly Coffee Roasters is working toward sourcing 100% of its coffee from regenerative or agroforestry systems by 2030, compared with the approximately 60% he reports today. Felipe discusses the financial and agricultural measures they're developing to assess the project's performance, including production yields, costs, coffee quality, and how farming practices can influence the final cup. The series concludes with both founders reflecting on what they hope future generations will take from their work and why creating alternatives to existing coffee supply-chain models matters for the industry's long-term future. Connect with Felipe Croce, David Bray, and The Common Ground Collective: The Common Ground Collective: https://www.instagram.com/thecommongroundcollectivecgc/ FAF Coffees: https://www.instagram.com/fafcoffees/ Blue Butterfly Coffee Roasters: https://www.instagram.com/bluebutterflyireland/ Felipe Croce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felipe-croce-42180829b David Bray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bray-53731b6b/ If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: ht tps://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https: //www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward ‍ ‍ CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

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Benecke Coffee: The Real Cost of Not Paying Coffee Producers (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1144 Part 4 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Benecke Coffee: Producers Still Owed Millions After Coffee Was Sold (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1143 Part 3 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Benecke Coffee: Who Will Help Producers Get Paid? (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1142 Part 2 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Benecke Coffee: Millions Still Owed to Coffee Producers (COMSA & Peruvian Cooperatives) - EP1141 Part 1 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Why I Challenge the SCA, Coffee Competitions and Industry Norms (Lee Safar) | EP1140 Part 5 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Coffee Business Survival Guide: Preparing for 2027 (Lee Safar) | EP1139 Part 4 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Coffee Consumers Are Changing. Is Your Business Ready for 2027? (Lee Safar) | EP1138 Part 3 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Why Coffee Businesses Should Rethink Risk in 2027 (Lee Safar) | EP1137 Part 2 of 5 (Map It Forward)

Why 2027 Could Be Coffee's Most Challenging Year (Lee Safar) | EP1136 Part 1 of 5 (Map It Forward)

New Coffee Farming Models for the Next Generation (Felipe Croce & David Bray) | EP1135 Part 5 of 5 (Map It Forward)

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