Coffee Corner: Harvests Around the World

So far in 2026, global coffee headlines have followed the changing predictions in weather, inventories, and pricing. At the same time, consumers continue to look for more variety and more convenient options. For Canadian OCS operators, these continue to be the key trends to watch.

Global Inventory

Global coffee inventories remain low, and buyers are concerned about delayed supply.
Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, and has a major impact on the global market. The outlook for Brazil’s 2026/27 crop has been very positive, with production expected to reach record levels. However, heavy rainfall in August has delayed the harvest and created concerns around coffee quality. A larger Brazilian crop would ease some of the pressure on global supply, so the industry continues to monitor the weather and harvest timing in the months ahead.
Vietnam is another market to watch - exports are expected to increase by 8-10% in 2026. If production and exports remain stable, the increased supply will be a positive development for OCS operators. 
There is also significant investment happening across Africa’s coffee-producing countries: Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among those reportedly working to expand or rebuild coffee production infrastructure. The benefits of the investments happening today won't be seen for several years; but increased production will mean more coffee choices and new origins for buyers.

Breakroom Trends

While supply and pricing are important, the other side of the coffee business tracks consumer trends. Demand continues to grow for specialty coffee, cold brew, ready-to-drink coffee and espresso-based beverages. Plant-based milk alternatives are also becoming a regular part of the coffee experience. For OCS operators, offering a wider range of products, and introducing specialty or rotating coffees, are becoming a standard part of service.
Several countries already have well-established coffee industries and strong reputations in the specialty market. Burundi is known for high-altitude coffee, while Uganda and Rwanda have developed important production and processing capabilities. Kenya and Tanzania are recognized for distinctive specialty coffees, and Ethiopia has one of the world's longest and most important coffee histories. 

Looking Forward

Sustainability is a conversation on both sides of the industry. Certification, traceability and environmental requirements are becoming increasingly important in major coffee markets. For OCS providers, understanding where coffee comes from and how it is sourced can be valuable both in purchasing and when communicating value to customers. Consumers are looking for authenticity and better choices, and suppliers are looking at long term prospects. 

The coffee market may be changing, but that also means there are new opportunities to explore, and staying ahead of those changes can help OCS operators navigate whatever the next harvest brings.