Welcome to the 5th episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by the Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Lee Safar.
Our guest on the podcast in this series is Ana Donneys, a 5th generation coffee producer and CEO of Cafe Primitivo, based in Quindio, Colombia.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee welcomes Anne, CEO of Metropolis Coffee in Chicago and they delve into the financial planning challenges faced by Metropolis amidst the unstable coffee market and operational obstacles in 2024.
Anne shares insights from her impactful LinkedIn post, highlighting their struggles with profit margins, increased costs, and unpredictable market dynamics.
The discussion reveals the emotional toll on leaders and the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and servant leadership in navigating volatile business environments.
When Ana took over the farm 6 years ago, she inherited significant debt along with the legacy of her grandfather's farm. Having studied business at university, Ana's determination to implement a business strategy for the farm focused on specialty coffee, profitability, and regenerative farming practices is seeing those decisions paying off as the C-Market hit record highs.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Ana discuss the critical importance of regenerative farming for the future of coffee production amidst climate change and market volatility.
The conversation covers the increasing consumer demand for high-quality coffee, the challenges of growing Arabica beans, and the potential rise of Robusta coffee.
Ana shares her optimism and belief in the power of relationships and direct connections within the coffee industry.
The episode also explores the impact of major market players, such as Luckin Coffee and Starbucks, on coffee prices and supply.
As the coffee sector faces unprecedented changes, the emphasis on regenerative agriculture and sustaining farmer livelihoods becomes crucial.
This insightful discussion aims to inform and inspire both coffee producers and consumers about the evolving landscape of the coffee industry.
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