Supply Chain Research

Starbucks reported a 10.6% rise in global revenues in 3Q 2018 including an acceleration in growth in its North American business of 7.7% vs. 6.0% a quarter earlier. That’s come just as global coffee supply has improved, with global exports having risen 2.8% in the third quarter vs. a 1.3% drop in the prior three quarters. That growth has been led by Brazil where exports surged 24.2% on a year earlier. In turn Starbucks appear to be relying on Brazil for an increased share of its needs. U.S. seaborne imports of coffee from Brazil accounted for 19.0% of Starbucks’ total in the three months...