Supply Chain Research

Global coffee exports ended 2017 on a slightly more robust note with a 0.2% rise after three months of declines. That still only resulted in a 4% rise for the full year, with weak harvests in Brazil (where exports fell 8% in December) the main culprit. Vietnam has seen a marked rebound at year-end, with a 36% surge in shipments resulting from improved harvest conditions. Mexico also saw improved exports throughout the year with a 25% rise in 2017. That’s reversed a long-term decline which saw a 17% annual drop in the three years through 2016. Yet, with 50% of Mexican exports destined for...