Core Viewpoint - Starbucks has formed a strategic partnership with Boyu Capital to jointly operate its retail business in China, amidst increasing competition and price wars in the coffee market [3][4]. Coffee Market Dynamics - The coffee futures prices have surged significantly, with prices reaching historical highs, impacting both producers and retailers. As of November 8, 2023, the price of U.S. coffee futures was reported at 388.38 cents per pound, reflecting a 2.46% increase [4][5]. - Coffee futures prices have outpaced gold, with a notable increase from 188.5 cents per pound at the beginning of 2022 to a peak of 437.95 cents per pound in October 2023, marking a rise of over 70% [4][5]. - The USDA projects a decline in global Arabica coffee production, estimating a drop of 47,000 tons (-7.5%) from the historical peak of 6.3 million tons in the 2018/2019 season [5]. Supply and Demand Factors - The increase in coffee prices is attributed to both market dynamics and unexpected weather conditions affecting production, particularly in Brazil, a major coffee producer [5][6]. - The demand for freshly brewed coffee has been rising, creating a structural imbalance in the Arabica coffee market, where production is declining while demand is increasing [5][6]. Impact on Coffee Farmers - Coffee farmers in Yunnan have seen significant income growth due to rising coffee prices and partnerships with large companies like Starbucks. For instance, one farmer reported an annual sales increase to 800,000 yuan, attributed to both rising futures prices and corporate partnerships [9][11]. - The price of fresh coffee fruit in Yunnan has surged from 3.5 to 7 yuan per kilogram, reaching historical highs, which has revitalized local coffee cultivation [11]. Retail Sector Challenges - The intense competition in the coffee market, with brands like Luckin Coffee and Manner expanding rapidly, has led to a price war, making it difficult for retailers to raise prices despite rising costs from coffee futures [14][15]. - Retailers are adopting cost-cutting measures, such as reducing staff and store sizes, to cope with increased raw material costs while trying to maintain competitive pricing [15][16]. - The ongoing price increases in coffee futures pose operational challenges for coffee retailers, who must balance the need to offer low prices to attract customers with the rising costs of high-quality coffee beans [16].

Core Viewpoint - The continuous rise in coffee futures prices presents opportunities for coffee farmers but poses challenges for the retail sector, particularly in the context of intense market competition and price wars [1][11]. Group 1: Coffee Futures Market - Coffee futures prices have seen significant increases, with a rise of over 70% from 188.5 cents/pound on January 2 to 336.4 cents/pound on December 10 of the previous year, surpassing gold price increases during the same period [3]. - As of November 8, coffee futures were reported at 388.38 cents/pound, reflecting a 2.46% increase, while the ICE Arabica coffee futures rose by 4.94% in the week ending November 7 [3]. - Factors contributing to the price surge include climate change affecting global production and unexpected weather events in major producing countries like Brazil, which has seen frost and drought conditions impacting yields [4][3]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The USDA projects that global Arabica coffee production will be 470,000 tons lower than the historical peak of 6.3 million tons in the 2018/2019 season, indicating a 7.5% decline [4]. - The demand for freshly brewed coffee has been increasing, creating a structural imbalance in the Arabica coffee market, where production is declining while demand is rising [4]. - The price increase has also been influenced by speculative trading and stockpiling by traders in response to supply concerns [4]. Group 3: Impact on Coffee Farmers - Coffee farmers in Yunnan, such as Cai Qing and Yu Zuguo, have experienced significant income growth due to rising coffee prices, with Cai's annual sales reaching 800,000 yuan and production increasing from 7 bags to 160 tons [7][8]. - The price of fresh coffee cherries in Yunnan has surged from 3.5-4.3 yuan/kg to around 7 yuan/kg, with market acquisition prices exceeding 60 yuan/kg, alleviating previous challenges faced by farmers [8][9]. - The increase in coffee futures prices has led to a renewed interest in coffee cultivation, with Yunnan's coffee planting area growing by 4% in 2024 [9]. Group 4: Retail Sector Challenges - The competitive landscape in the coffee retail market is intensifying, with local brands like Luckin Coffee and Manner rapidly expanding and offering lower-priced products, making it difficult for established brands like Starbucks to raise prices [11][12]. - Retailers are facing pressure to maintain low prices despite rising costs, leading to cost-cutting measures such as reducing staff and store sizes, and shifting towards online sales [12][13]. - The ongoing price competition and the need to attract customers with lower prices are testing the operational capabilities and financial strength of coffee retailers [13].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating - No relevant content found 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - Since the fourth quarter of 2023, against the backdrop of the global agricultural product prices oscillating downwards to near production costs, the ICE US coffee price has risen significantly against the trend and reached a record high, and the price difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee has also hit a new high [2][7]. - The structural contradiction in the global Arabica coffee market continues to be prominent. Although the price has reached a record high, the Arabica coffee production is still lower than the historical peak, and the proportion of Arabica coffee production is decreasing year by year. Meanwhile, the demand for Arabica coffee is strong due to the rapid growth of freshly - ground coffee consumption [2][24]. - The Brazilian产区 is the core anchor point for trading global Arabica coffee. Although most major producing countries have increased their Arabica coffee production under high - price incentives, the large reduction in Brazil's output offsets the increase in other regions, resulting in the global Arabica coffee production still being lower than the 20/21 level [3][34] 3. Summary According to Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Arabica Coffee Price Remains High - The price of Arabica coffee has always fluctuated greatly. From 1999 to 2025, there were significant increases and decreases in the ICE US coffee主力合约 price, with a maximum cumulative increase of 631.99% and a maximum cumulative decrease of 71.68% [6]. - Since the fourth quarter of 2023, the ICE US coffee price has risen significantly against the trend and reached a record high. On February 11, 2025, it hit a historical high of 429.95 cents/pound. After a short - term decline, it reached 424.00 cents/pound on September 16, 2025 [7]. - Since September 2024, the price ratio and difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee have been rising, and the difference reached nearly 200 cents/pound on September 15, 2025, a record high [8] 3.2 Global Arabica Coffee Production Has Not Fully Recovered 3.2.1 Arabica Coffee Has Higher Requirements for Planting Environment and Management Level - Arabica coffee has higher requirements for planting environment and management level. It is more sensitive to high temperatures, has weaker pest - resistance, needs higher - altitude planting and more refined management, but has lower yields per unit area compared to Robusta coffee [13]. - USDA predicts that the global Arabica coffee production in 25/26 will be 582 tons, accounting for 54.30% of the global coffee production [13] 3.2.2 Global Coffee Production Has Recovered - Global coffee production is highly concentrated and has increased for three consecutive years. USDA predicts that the global coffee production in 25/26 will be 10.72 million tons (a year - on - year increase of 260,000 tons). The top 5 producing countries account for 73.49% of the total production, and the top 10 account for 88.50%. The top 5 producing countries are Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia [14]. - The global coffee ending stocks - to - use ratio is still low. Although the production has increased for 3 consecutive years, the ending stocks - to - use ratio remains at a low level. USDA predicts that the global coffee production in 25/26 will be 10.72 million tons, consumption will be 10.16 million tons, and ending stocks will be 1.37 million tons [17] 3.2.3 The Proportion of Arabica Coffee Is Decreasing Year by Year - The global Arabica coffee production has not fully recovered, and its proportion in the total coffee production remains at a low level. USDA predicts that the global Arabica coffee production in 25/26 will be 5.82 million tons (a year - on - year decrease of 100,000 tons), while the Robusta coffee production will be 4.9 million tons (a year - on - year increase of 360,000 tons), and the proportion of Arabica coffee production will drop from 56.6% to 54.3% [21]. - Among the top 5 Arabica coffee producing countries, only Brazil produces both Arabica and Robusta. USDA predicts that in 25/26, the Arabica coffee production in Brazil will account for 63% of its total coffee production, and the other 4 major producing countries almost entirely produce Arabica. Among the top 5 Robusta coffee producing countries, the Robusta coffee production in Vietnam will account for 97% of its total production in 25/26 [29] 3.3 Brazilian产区 Is the Core Anchor Point for Trading Arabica Coffee - USDA predicts that the global Arabica coffee production in 25/26 will be 5.82 million tons, 310,000 tons less than in 20/21. Among the top 5 producing areas, Brazil's production will decrease by 530,000 tons, and Colombia's will decrease by 50,000 tons, while Ethiopia's will increase by 240,000 tons, Honduras's will decrease by 40,000 tons, and Peru's will increase by 60,000 tons [34]. - Driven by high prices, most major producing countries have increased their Arabica coffee production compared to 20/21. However, due to the large reduction in Brazil's output, the global Arabica coffee production is still lower than the 20/21 level. Therefore, the Brazilian产区 remains the core anchor point for trading global Arabica coffee in the future [34]