Green Beans Global Trends and Forecasts: What Roasters Need to Know Now - With Raihaan Esat and Shari Wilding

In this episode of Bean There, Done That, guest host Shari Wilding sits down with Raihaan Esat, coffee trader at International Coffee Traders (ICT), to explore the current state of the global coffee market. They discuss the rising cost of green beans, the impact of climate change and logistics disruptions, and the emerging coffee markets that could shape the future of the industry. Raihaan shares insights on how roasters can navigate supply chain challenges, secure long-term partnerships with farmers, and innovate in a shifting market—including some surprising experiments with alternative roasted ingredients like chickpeas and dandelion root!   Whether you’re a coffee roaster, café owner, or simply passionate about the industry, this episode is packed with expert advice on how to adapt, innovate, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of coffee. Key Topics and Themes •Understanding Green Coffee Supply & Demand: Why global production isn’t keeping up with consumption. •Climate Change & Coffee Farming: How shifting weather patterns, pests, and diseases are affecting supply. •Logistics & Geopolitical Risks: The challenges of shipping coffee across the world. • Emerging Coffee Markets: The rise of China, Thailand, the Philippines, and new African producers. • The Role of Certifications: Are Fair Trade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance still relevant? • Consumer Trends & Innovation: The demand for decaf, functional coffee blends, and alternative ingredients. • The Power of AI & Tech: How roasters can use AI for procurement forecasting and quality control. • Future-Proofing Your Business: How roasters can secure pricing, manage costs, and stay competitive. Time-Stamped Key Points   00:00 – Introduction to Bean There, Done That with guest host Shari Wilding. 00:50 – Meet Raihaan Esat and his passion for all things coffee. 01:35 – The state of the global coffee market and why prices are rising. 03:00 – The coffee supply-demand gap and what it means for roasters. 04:20 – How climate change is impacting coffee farmers. 05:45 – Shipping & logistics challenges affecting global supply chains. 08:00 – The risk of theft and security issues in coffee-producing countries. 09:00 – The labour shortage and urbanisation challenges in coffee farming. 10:25 – New coffee origins emerging in China, Thailand, and Africa. 13:00 – Can Australia grow enough coffee for its own demand? 14:50 – How roasters can work more directly with farmers and traders. 16:00 – Are Fair Trade and Organic certifications still important to consumers? 19:05 – The rise of decaf and functional coffee blends. 20:10 – How AI can help roasters optimise their purchasing decisions. 21:30 – What roasters need to do NOW to secure their supply and pricing. 24:30 – Experimenting with chickpeas, dandelion root, and other coffee alternatives. 27:10 – The importance of storytelling in connecting consumers to coffee origins. 30:55 – Key advice for roasters: mindset shift, supply chain partnerships, and long-term vision. 35:10 – Managing rising business costs beyond green beans. 36:50 – Final words of encouragement: Rediscover your passion for coffee! About Our Guest: Raihaan Esat   Raihaan Esat is a seasoned coffee trader and industry expert at International Coffee Traders (ICT). With a deep passion for coffee sourcing, production, and roasting, he works closely with roasters to help them secure the right coffee for their businesses. His knowledge spans global coffee trends, supply chain logistics, and market innovations.   📌 Connect with Raihaan: •LinkedIn •Instagram •ICT Coffee Key Takeaways for Roasters   ✅ Think long-term: Plan 12–24 months ahead for green coffee purchases. ✅ Collaborate, don’t compete: Build strong relationships across the supply chain. ✅ Stay innovative: Explore new markets, trends, and alternative roasting ingredients. ✅ Use AI & tech: Leverage forecasting tools for smarter procurement. ✅ Understand costs: Get a clear handle on business expenses beyond just coffee prices. ✅ Tell the right story: Know when and how to engage consumers about coffee origins. ✅ Adapt or get left behind: The industry is changing—don’t wait for it to return to “normal.” Links & Resources Mentioned •International Coffee Traders •The Coffee Commune •Connect with Shari Wilding on LinkedIn 🎧 Listen Now: Find Bean There, Done That on your favourite podcast platform.  #CoffeeIndustry #CoffeeRoasting #CoffeeTrends #GreenCoffee #CoffeeSupplyChain #FairTrade #CoffeeMarket #CoffeeInnovation 🔗 Produced by The Podcast Boss