World Coffee News - May 2026

From climate disruption in Colombia's coffee-growing regions to controversy on the world championship stage, it has been another eventful month in the coffee industry. We've rounded up four stories making headlines right now; including new research into coffee's potential health benefits and an AI-powered café manager that's already proving somewhat controversial.

Relentless Rains Hit Colombian Exports

Trouble is brewing for Colombia’s coffee industry after months of relentless rainfall. According to recent Q1 reports from the National Federation of Coffee Growers, coffee production between January and March dropped to just 2.51 million 60kg bags. A staggering 33.5% decline compared to the 3.78 million bags Colombia produced during the same period last year.

Excessive rain across key growing regions has disrupted harvesting, delayed drying processes, and complicated transport routes for producers and exporters alike. And April offered little signs of recovery. With coffee output from the country reaching only 754,000 bags, the month failed to provide the rebound many traders and exporters had hoped for.

Colombia remains one of the world’s largest Arabica producers, meaning even short-term disruptions can quickly ripple through global supply chains. This decline is the latest reminder of how vulnerable coffee production remains to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. For traders, roasters, and consumers alike, ongoing climate disruption continues to add pressure to an already volatile global coffee market…

World Coffee Championships Drawn Into Geopolitics

Fresh controversy has emerged in the world of specialty coffee after Taiwan was reportedly renamed “Chinese Taipei” at this year’s World Coffee Championships.

The changes appeared shortly after Taiwanese competitor Bala won the 2026 World Latte Art Championship on April 12th; a historic victory that was widely reported across the industry. Members of the international coffee community argue the edits go beyond standard event protocol, pointing to the removal of Taiwan’s name from existing competition coverage and official championship records.

The Taiwan Coffee Association has since stated it has spent nearly two decades fighting to preserve the use of “Taiwan” at international coffee competitions. The name has reportedly been used at World Coffee Championships events since at least 2007, including during Berg Wu’s World Barista Championship victory in 2016.

Organisers say the adjustment reflects international event protocols, but critics argue it highlights how geopolitical tensions are increasingly spilling into global coffee competitions. As specialty coffee continues to grow, debates around identity, representation, and political influence appear unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Coffee's Benefits May Start In The Gut

Coffee’s positive effects on mood, focus, and brain function may actually begin in the gut, according to emerging scientific research exploring the connection between coffee consumption and the gut microbiome.

Researchers are increasingly studying how coffee interacts with the trillions of bacteria living in the digestive system — often referred to as the “gut-brain axis”. Some studies suggest coffee may help promote beneficial gut bacteria, potentially contributing to improved cognitive function, mood, and overall wellbeing.

While scientists say more research is still needed, the findings add to growing evidence that coffee’s health benefits may extend far beyond its caffeine content. For coffee drinkers everywhere, that morning brew may be doing more than simply helping you wake up.

AI "Manager" tested at Stockholm Coffee Shop

A Stockholm coffee shop is reportedly experimenting with artificial intelligence to help manage day-to-day operations, offering a glimpse into how AI could increasingly be used across the hospitality industry.

Andon Cafe, launched by San Francisco startup Andon Labs, uses an AI system named “Mona” to oversee tasks including scheduling, staffing, inventory management, and customer interaction. Human baristas still prepare and serve drinks, but much of the café’s administration is handled by the AI platform.

The experiment has not been without issues. According to reports, Mona has placed some particularly ambitious orders for a café of its size, including 6,000 napkins, 3,000 rubber gloves, multiple first aid kits, and canned tomatoes despite the café not serving any tomato-based dishes. The AI has also reportedly over-ordered bread and occasionally missed supplier deadlines entirely.

Supporters say the project is designed to explore how AI could support hospitality businesses in the future. Critics, however, argue the experiment highlights some of the practical — and occasionally bizarre — limitations of relying too heavily on automation.