Brazil is expected to remain the world’s dominant coffee producer in 2025, widening its lead over global rivals as demand for coffee continues to rise despite climate pressures and supply chain volatility affecting major growing regions.

According to data compiled from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), Colipse Coffee and StatRanker, Brazil is projected to produce around 63 million 60-kg coffee bags in 2025, far ahead of second-place Vietnam at 30.8 million bags.

Brazil is also forecast to export more than 40 million bags, reinforcing its position as the backbone of the global coffee trade. The country accounts for roughly one-third of global coffee production and remains the world’s largest supplier of arabica beans, widely used in premium blends and espresso markets.

Vietnam, the second-largest producer, is expected to export nearly 27.9 million bags, driven largely by robusta coffee production. Robusta beans, which contain higher caffeine levels and are commonly used in instant coffee, have seen growing global demand amid rising Arabica prices.

Colombia ranks third with a projected production of 13.8 million bags, followed by Indonesia and Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, with estimated outputs of 12.45 million and 11.56 million bags, respectively.

In Africa, Uganda continues to strengthen its role in global coffee markets, with production expected to reach nearly 6.9 million bags, according to USDA estimates.

One notable trend in the data is that countries such as India, Honduras and Peru are projected to export more coffee than they produce domestically during the year. Analysts say this can occur due to carryover inventories from previous harvests, re-exports and stockpiled reserves entering international markets.

The global coffee industry has faced mounting pressure in recent years from extreme weather events linked to climate change. Brazil experienced severe drought and frost episodes between 2021 and 2023, while Vietnam and Colombia have also dealt with shifting rainfall patterns affecting crop yields.

The International Coffee Organisation has repeatedly warned that climate instability poses a growing long-term threat to coffee-growing regions, particularly for arabica production, which is highly sensitive to temperature changes.

Despite supply concerns, global coffee consumption continues to rise steadily. The USDA projects growing demand across Asia and emerging markets, while established markets in Europe and North America remain among the world’s largest consumers.

Industry analysts say tightening supplies and weather-related disruptions have contributed to elevated global coffee prices over the past two years, affecting everyone from multinational café chains to independent roasters.

What this really highlights is how a handful of producing nations continue to shape one of the world’s most traded agricultural commodities, even as climate risks increasingly threaten the future of global coffee production.

While the euro is used by 20 of the EU’s 27 member countries, Poland, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, Czechia and Hungary have all chosen, or in some cases delayed, joining the eurozone, despite being part of the bloc’s single market.

The euro was officially introduced in 1999 for electronic transactions and entered circulation in 2002, becoming one of the world’s most traded currencies alongside the U.S. dollar. According to the European Central Bank (ECB), more than 340 million people currently use the euro across Europe.

However, adopting the euro requires countries to meet strict economic conditions known as the Maastricht criteria, including limits on inflation, government debt, budget deficits and exchange rate stability.

Among the six holdouts, Denmark remains the only country with a formal opt-out agreement negotiated during the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s. The Danish krone is closely pegged to the euro through the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, effectively keeping its value stable against the common currency while preserving national monetary control.

Sweden, meanwhile, has repeatedly delayed adopting the euro after voters rejected the currency in a 2003 referendum. Although Sweden is technically obligated to join eventually, successive governments have avoided entering the exchange rate mechanism required for accession.

In Central and Eastern Europe, countries such as Poland, Hungary and Czechia have cited economic flexibility and monetary independence as key reasons for retaining their national currencies.

Poland’s zloty, for example, has often been viewed domestically as an important buffer against external economic shocks. During periods of inflation or slowing growth, governments and central banks can adjust interest rates and currency policy independently, tools that eurozone members surrender to the European Central Bank.

Hungary’s forint and Czechia’s koruna have similarly allowed policymakers greater control over domestic economic conditions, particularly during periods of volatility linked to energy prices, inflation and global market uncertainty.

Romania continues to target eventual euro adoption but has repeatedly postponed timelines due to inflation and fiscal challenges. The European Commission has previously stated that several non-Euro EU members still do not fully meet convergence requirements.

A media watchdog, the Afghanistan Journalists Centre, has documented 150 violations of press freedom across Afghanistan over the past year, highlighting a sustained deterioration in the country’s information environment. These violations reflect a broad pattern rather than isolated incidents, pointing to systemic constraints on journalists and media institutions. The scale of the figure signals that restrictions are not episodic but embedded in governance practices. This trend reinforces concerns raised internationally about shrinking civic space and the inability of journalists to operate independently or safely.

EU warns democracy cannot exist without a free press amid rising threats

The European Union has issued a clear warning that democracy cannot function without a free press, linking Afghanistan’s media restrictions directly to broader governance concerns. The statement underscores that attacks on journalism are not just sectoral issues but foundational political risks. The EU’s position frames press freedom as a prerequisite for accountability and public participation, suggesting that continued pressure on media could further isolate Afghanistan diplomatically and weaken institutional legitimacy.

Fawzia Koofi condemns Taliban raid on her Badakhshan home as ‘cowardly’

Former Member of Parliament Fawzia Koofi publicly denounced a Taliban raid on her home in Badakhshan, describing the action as “cowardly.” Her reaction reflects ongoing tensions between former political figures and the current authorities. The incident is significant not only because of Koofi’s prominence but also because it signals continued targeting or intimidation of former officials. Her use of strong language suggests deepening mistrust and highlights the personal risks faced by political actors linked to the previous system.

Rising crime in Kabul fuels growing public concern over safety

Authorities and observers report increasing crime rates in Kabul , which are now becoming a major source of public anxiety. This trend suggests a gap between governance control and everyday security . Public concern over crime often reflects broader issues such as economic strain, weakened policing capacity, or uneven enforcement. The situation in Kabul, as the capital, carries symbolic weight: rising insecurity there tends to amplify perceptions of instability nationwide.

Government pushes media to align with Islamic and national values

Afghan officials have stated that media outlets should align their reporting with Islamic and national values , signalling a clear expectation of ideological conformity. This directive reinforces the broader pattern of media control and frames journalism within a prescribed moral and political framework. While presented as guidance, such positioning effectively narrows editorial independence and shapes the boundaries of acceptable discourse. It also complements the reported rise in press freedom violations, suggesting both formal and informal mechanisms of control.