World Coffee News - January, 23rd 2026
Coffee Innovation & Industry Watch: AI Mapping, Circular Agriculture, and Uncertain Futures
From cutting-edge AI applications in coffee farming to new sustainability breakthroughs and industry uncertainty in Hawaii, here are three stories shaping the coffee world this week.
Chinese Researchers Use AI for Precise Coffee Land Mapping
Researchers in China are turning to artificial intelligence to more accurately map land allocated for coffee production.
Using a lightweight large language model (LLM) combined with satellite imagery, the research team was able to identify coffee-growing areas in Yunnan Province with nearly 95% accuracy. This represents a significant leap forward in agricultural land monitoring, particularly in regions where on-the-ground data collection is limited or costly.
The technology could prove valuable not only for governments tracking agricultural development, but also for coffee growers seeking better insights into land use, yields, and long-term planning.
Read more:
Daily Coffee News
Another Win for Coffee Grounds: Fertilizer for Cucumbers
Spent coffee grounds continue to find new life beyond the cup. Researchers in Spain have developed a method to upcycle used coffee grounds into fertilizer for cucumber greenhouses, creating a circular “cup-to-crop” system.
The coffee-based fertilizer is positioned as a viable alternative to synthetic options. Researchers focused on pre-engineering—or “tailoring”—the formulations to ensure consistent nutrient delivery, addressing the natural variability caused by differences in coffee cultivar, roast level, and processing methods.
The findings highlight yet another way coffee waste could support more sustainable agricultural systems.
Read more:
Daily Coffee News
America’s Largest Coffee Producer Faces Lease Uncertainty
The future of Kauai Coffee, the largest coffee producer in the United States, remains uncertain as lease negotiations continue to stall.
Kauai Coffee Estate spans more than 3,000 acres and is home to over four million coffee trees along the southern edge of the Hawaiian island. According to Kauai Now News, lease discussions began nearly two years ago with little progress.
Concerns intensified in 2024 when the leased land was put up for sale. During the same period, representatives from Brue Baukol stated they were engaging “constructively and in good faith” with Massimo Zanetti Beverage, though the long-term outcome remains unclear.
Read more:
Sprudge
Photo by Monstera Production
