Mike Ferguson

The Exchange-Presented by Olam Coffee

Society EN ↓ 130 episodes

Insider insights for the earnest coffee roaster. The Exchange is a podcast presented by Olam Specialty Coffee.

Author

Mike Ferguson

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.spreaker.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Coffee Memo | Travel, SCA, Decaf, Free Trade, Market 07.07.2026

 Key  Topics Industry evolution and future outlook Consumer trends in Europe Impact of USMCA on coffee trade Decaffeination methods and regulations Market volatility and supply chain dynamics European coffee culture and consumer behavior Innovation and adaptation in the coffee industry Role of trade associations     Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit an...

Another Cup | Kaitlin from Rebel Dog Coffee Ep. 23 30.06.2026

KEY TOPICS Kaitlin's career path and journey in coffee Rebel Dog's growth and expansion Women in the coffee industry and leadership Coffee sourcing, sustainability, and community impact Innovations in coffee education and consumer engagement     Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit and Explore Covoya!

Straight Up | Communication, Warehouses, Mel from Logistics 23.06.2026

The chaos and camaraderie of traveling to coffee events. How during stressful logistics system upgrades, transparent communication keeps customers in the loop. The art of overcommunication versus good communication—when and how much to share. Practical tips for managing logistics disruptions with clarity and empathy. Erna Knutsen coined what coffee industry term? Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasti...

The Exchange | Cold Coffee Ep. 51 16.06.2026

Takeaways The consumption of cold coffee has significantly increased. Cold coffee beverages have become a focal point for brands. Cold brew and iced coffee are distinct products. Coffee milk is a traditional beverage in Rhode Island. The market for cold coffee is expanding rapidly. Investment in cold coffee has surged in recent years. Cold brew production requires specific equipment and processes....

Another Cup | US Women in Coffee at WOC Ep. 22 09.06.2026

Takeaways The IWCA breakfast featured inspiring speeches and high attendance. The partnership between Covoya and US Women in Coffee is valuable for members. Membership offers opportunities for mentorship and networking. The Cafe Delas program supports women in Latin America through education and resources. Engagement with the community is essential for the growth of the organization. Surveys are u...

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks Moving Market and the T Word Ep. 20 05.06.2026

Takeaways We've had price movement down, which is great for roasters. Caution is warranted in the current market. We have very smart people here at Cavoya. It's very frustrating for everyone involved with tariffs. Coffee will be exempt from new tariffs...for now. Hope is not a strategy for pricing decisions. Look at the market through your operating budget. Start looking at the market through the...

Extra Shot | Update on Coffee Consumer Behavior 02.06.2026

Takeaways 59% of coffee drinkers changed at least one coffee buying behavior. Overall daily coffee consumption remains steady at 66%. Specialty coffee consumption increased from 55% to 58%. Daily use of espresso machines at home increased from 10% to 13%. Convenience often outweighs quality in coffee preparation. 29% reported their financial situation worsened over the last six months. 37% of Amer...

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks El Nino Ep. 19 26.05.2026

Takeaways Weather is a powerful and often misunderstood aspect of the coffee industry. El Niño and La Niña significantly influence coffee production and market dynamics. The impact of weather on coffee is not uniform; it varies by region and time. Coffee trees require specific weather conditions at critical growth stages. Understanding weather patterns helps in assessing risks in coffee production...

Straight Up | World of Coffee Recap Ep. 3 19.05.2026

 Takeaways Coffee people are the best people. The World of Coffee event had many highs and almost no lows. The inaugural Covoya Coffee Crawl was a huge success. Exploring San Diego's coffee scene was a highlight. Community connections are vital in the coffee industry. The sense of community at coffee events has evolved over the years. Old school latte art throwdowns bring back great memories. The...

The Exchange | Roasters Entering Retail Ep. 50 12.05.2026

Takeaways Entering retail can make or break your business. FOMO should not be the reason to enter retail. Retail can distract from core competencies. Creative alternatives to retail. Engaging with the community is crucial for success. Staffing is a major challenge in retail. A merchant's heart is essential for retail success. Understanding the costs of retail is vital. Food can bleed money in reta...

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks Pipeline, Producers, Prices Ep. 18 05.05.2026

Takeaways The coffee market is currently experiencing a sideways trading pattern. Producers are holding onto coffee due to strong financial positions. There is a large crop expected from Brazil, which may affect prices. Physical storage issues may compel producers to sell coffee. Market sentiment suggests prices may drop as supply increases. Producers are psychologically positioned to wait for bet...

Ristretto | Mark Talks with MochaJoe.Coffee at WOC Ep. 14 01.05.2026

 Takeaways Joe's journey into coffee began unexpectedly through his work in the portable toilet business. He discovered the difference in quality between mass-produced coffee and artisanal coffee. The Coffee House Finder website aims to be a positive platform for coffee lovers to share their favorite shops. They believe coffee reviews should be positive and community-driven. The subjective nature...

Straight Up | Babies, Mexico, Inman-Gram Ep. 2 28.04.2026

 Takeaways The podcast emphasizes the community aspect of coffee culture. Motherhood brings unexpected challenges and joys. Experiencing coffee origins offers unique insights into the industry. Team dynamics play a crucial role in workplace satisfaction. Innovative coffee tasting methods enhance customer experience. Traveling to coffee-producing countries reveals cultural differences in coffee con...

Coffee Memo | Rob and Mark Talk the Future of Coffee 21.04.2026

 Takeaways The future of coffee is a current affair. Market trends are influenced by geopolitical events and supply chain issues. Specialty coffee producers face significant challenges, including labor costs and climate change. Mechanization is becoming essential for coffee farming to remain viable. Quality coffee should be priced appropriately to support farmers. Building long-term relationships...

Another Cup | WOC Party Episode 1: Jeff Taylor of Bird Rock Coffee Ep. 22 17.04.2026

 Key  Topics Jeff's career transition from photojournalism to coffee Strategic expansion and location choices Impact of industry trends and social media on growth Challenges faced during economic downturns and pandemic Future plans for growth and market strategy     Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit and Explore Covoya!

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks Fertilizer Shortage Ep. 16 07.04.2026

 Takeaways Coffee is a heavily fertilized product. Fertilizer is essential for coffee quality and yield. Global supply chain issues are impacting fertilizer availability. Brazil relies on imports for 85% of its fertilizer needs. Fertilizer prices have significantly increased recently. The war in Ukraine affects global fertilizer supply. Long-term impacts on coffee production could be severe. Marke...

The Exchange | Do You Want to Be a Coffee Roaster? Ep. 49 31.03.2026

 Some Takeaways Do you want to be a coffee roaster? If you want to be a coffee roaster, do not start your own coffee roastery. You have to like the idea of manufacturing something. You have to be somebody who's pretty handy. A home roaster is not the same as a commercial roaster. Learning the machine is crucial for success in roasting. Rushing into starting a coffee business can lead to mistakes....

Straight Up | Introducing Sam, Angela, and Liesa Ep. 1 24.03.2026

Among other things, the conversation includes:  Liesa's job at Covoya.  A Throwdown in Bristol.  Market Machinations.  A little Starbucks and Peets history.  Rob's dad jokes.  Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit and Explore Covoya!

Another Cup | Angela and Brit Talk About Cafe Delas Women in Coffee Ep. 21 17.03.2026

Angela and Brit share stories about some of the Cafe Delas producers they have met.     Cafe Delas Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit and Explore Covoya!

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks War, Brazilian Real, Tariffs Ep. 15 12.03.2026

Topics Include Suez Canal  Currency fluctuations, especially the Brazilian real and US dollar Brazilian domestic policy and its effect on coffee exports Market volatility driven by geopolitical and logistical factors Tariff refunds Part of The Covoya Coffee Podcasting Network   TAKE OUR LISTENER SURVEY   Visit and Explore Covoya!

Coffee Memo | Rob's Daily Dashboard Ep. 14 03.03.2026

Chapters 01:22 Rob's Morning Coffee and Brain Activation Routine 02:11 First Data Source: Market Screen and Live Feed 03:16 Using Charts for Market Sentiment and Direction 04:45 Monitoring Overnight Market Changes and Pending Grading 05:50 Reading the Crop Report and COT Data for Market Sentiment 06:06 Email and News Digest as Market Indicators 07:06 Skimming Reports and Managing Information Overl...

Extra Shot | Describing Coffee to Coffee Drinkers Ep. 15 17.02.2026

Takeaways Specialty coffee is a highly differentiated product. Consumer preferences significantly influence coffee marketing strategies. Words like 'rich' and 'smooth' resonate with coffee drinkers. Flavor notes serve a practical purpose in the coffee buying process. The NCA survey provides valuable insights into consumer behavior. Coffee drinkers may not align with industry-specific flavor descri...

The Exchange | Looking Back at 2025 Ep. 48 11.02.2026

Takeaways 2025 was a challenging year for the coffee industry. Market volatility led to unprecedented price fluctuations. Tariffs significantly impacted coffee imports and pricing. Small roasters faced immense pressure due to high costs. Unionization efforts are gaining traction in the coffee sector. Women in coffee are making significant strides in leadership roles. The specialty coffee market is...

Coffee Memo | Rob Talks About the Market Moving 06.02.2026

Takeaways February is the busiest month for coffee buyers. Current market prices are experiencing a steep decline. The gap between current and future coffee prices is narrowing. Brazil's coffee crop forecast looks promising this year. Coffee stocks are slowly increasing, but still below optimal levels. Brazil's coffee consumption fell by 2.5% last year. No significant news from the White House mee...

The Ex-Files | Blending and Blend Theory Ep. 7 20.01.2026

Takeaways Blending aims to create a coffee better than its individual components. Creating iconic blends is essential for brand identity. Marketing cannot compensate for poor blending practices. Consistency in blends fosters customer loyalty. Simplicity in coffee offerings can be more effective than complexity. Managing a limited number of offerings can enhance brand focus. Blending for price poin...

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