Poor Farmer

By Caitlin Coyle The Economic Observer November 7, 2011 Starbucks is infamous for opening up next to independent cafes and taking their business, but its Chinese chain might lose at its own game. A morning cup of coffee back home was a daily ritual, but in a country that favors tea, sometimes finding the comfort of a cup of coffee is difficult. Trying to find a mocha or cappuccino is even harder. Two international coffee chains are quickly attempting to change that. This week the Economic Observer looked at the expansion of Starbucks, an American coffee chain, and Costa Coffee, a British coffee chain, in China. Both companies are trying to capitalize on the Chinese market, attempting to overcome a tea drinking culture and a large lactose intolerant population. Regardless, the two coffee shops’ presence is becoming increasingly large in China’s capital. If you go to Beijing’s Blue Harbour International District, you will see a Starbucks at the entrance of the i...

By Mihir Dalal Reuters November 7, 2011 (Reuters) - David Einhorn may not like Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc ( GMCR.O ), but many on Wall Street think the hedge fund manager overstated the risks and are still attracted to the growth potential of the top single-cup coffee company. Green Mountain's shares slumped almost 40 percent to a seven-month low after Einhorn warned on October 17 that the company's business model was weaker than most thought and that its accounting was suspect. The stock has since recovered almost half its losses and many analysts think it has much further to gain. There are more 'Strong Buy' recommendations among StarMine-rated analysts now than three months ago and the average 12-month price target for the stock is $117, far above its $70.31 close on Monday. "There are so many aspects to Einhorn's thesis that are 180 degrees counter to what we know that it's hard to believe investors give much credence to ...

By Vito Pilieci Ottawa Citizen November 7, 2011 McDonald’s Canada is turning up the heat on its competitors, promising to double its morning breakfast business by proving to Canadians that its coffee is among the best out there. The fast food chain’s announcement came after rival Tim Hortons said it would begin offering espresso based coffee drinks at restaurants across the country this week. McDonalds said it has been pressing to break into Canada’s lucrative coffee business and has been offering espresso-based coffees and drinks, through its McCafè brand, for close to a year. “They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” John Betts, president and chief executive of McDonald’s Canada, said of the chain’s intention to become a major coffee source. “McCafè is an integral part of how McDonald’s Canada is transforming and elevating its brand and the customer experience. In just a few years coffee has joined our iconic offerings like the Big Mac.” ...

November 07, 2011 Forexpros.com Forexpros - Coffee futures rose to a one-week high on Monday, as market sentiment continued to be dominated by developments surrounding the euro zone debt crisis. On the ICE Futures Exchange, Arabica coffee for December delivery traded at USD2.3180 a pound during European afternoon trade, gaining 0.36%. It earlier rose by as much as 0.55% to trade at USD2.3315 a pound, the highest price since October 31. Agricultural commodities continued to be affected by outside influences as risk appetite was boosted by speculation that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may be about to step down amid mounting opposition from within his own party, ahead of a key parliamentary vote on Tuesday. The reports were subsequently denied by a spokesman for Mr. Berlusconi. Paris-based agribusiness consulting firm Agritel said in a report earlier that, "Commodities markets are pretty quiet in comparison to the choppiness of financial mark...