MAP IT FORWARD Middle East

MAP IT FORWARD
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The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

  1. EP 975 | Part 5 of 5: What the Coffee Industry Should Be Paying Attention To (Lee Safar)

    6 HR AGO

    EP 975 | Part 5 of 5: What the Coffee Industry Should Be Paying Attention To (Lee Safar)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Discussion Group. Join our Roasted Coffee tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community. Episode Description This is Part 5 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry. In the final episode of the series, Lee Safar explores what coffee businesses should be paying attention to as geopolitical conflict begins to reshape global trade systems. Rather than focusing on predictions, Lee encourages the industry to watch signals — measurable indicators that reveal how the crisis is evolving and how it may impact coffee supply chains. Four signals are particularly important. The first is shipping routes, including the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Changes in shipping routes, container availability, and freight costs can dramatically affect the movement of coffee around the world. The second signal is energy markets. Oil and natural gas prices influence fertilizer production, transportation costs, roasting energy expenses, and overall agricultural economics. The third signal is trade consolidation. As crises intensify, smaller businesses may struggle while larger companies expand their influence through acquisitions and market consolidation. The fourth signal is supply chain resilience. Businesses that diversify suppliers, maintain inventory buffers, and strengthen relationships across the supply chain will be better positioned to adapt. Lee argues that the coffee industry must broaden its focus beyond cup quality to include logistics, geopolitics, energy markets, and financial risk. Understanding these signals will help businesses make better strategic decisions as global uncertainty continues to unfold. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    25 min
  2. EP 974 | Part 4 of 5: The Economic Domino Effect of War on Coffee (Lee Safar)

    1 DAY AGO

    EP 974 | Part 4 of 5: The Economic Domino Effect of War on Coffee (Lee Safar)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is Part 4 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry. In this episode, Lee Safar explores the macroeconomic ripple effects that global conflict can trigger across the coffee industry. War affects far more than the regions where fighting occurs. It disrupts the systems that power global trade — energy markets, shipping networks, financial systems, and currency stability. Lee breaks down three major economic forces already shaping the global response to the conflict. The first is oil and energy shocks. Rising oil prices affect nearly every aspect of the coffee industry, from fertilizer production and farm inputs to transportation, roasting energy costs, and food inflation. The second is freight inflation. As geopolitical risk increases, shipping insurance costs rise and logistics companies reroute vessels to avoid dangerous areas. These disruptions increase the cost of moving goods globally, including green coffee. The third is currency and financial volatility. Because coffee and oil are traded in US dollars, instability in currency markets can ripple across coffee-producing countries, affecting export pricing, producer income, and hedging strategies. These interconnected pressures create powerful inflationary forces throughout the coffee value chain. From rising farm input costs to higher freight prices and increased retail prices, the economic effects of conflict extend far beyond the battlefield. In the final episode of the series, Lee explores what the coffee industry should be paying attention to now in order to prepare for what may come next. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    19 min
  3. EP 973 | Part 3 of 5: Who Gets Hit First in the Coffee Value Chain (Lee Safar)

    2 DAYS AGO

    EP 973 | Part 3 of 5: Who Gets Hit First in the Coffee Value Chain (Lee Safar)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by The Honduran Coffee Alliance, connecting Honduran coffee producers with global buyers in a fair, sustainable, and commercially viable way.WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50487350786Email: sean@hondurancoffeealliance.com Episode Description This is Part 3 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry. In this episode, Lee Safar explores how geopolitical conflict exposes the uneven distribution of risk across the coffee supply chain. The coffee industry often speaks about producer vulnerability, but crises like this reveal how risk moves through every layer of the supply chain, from farmers and exporters to traders and roasters. Lee explains how producers may face indirect impacts through rising fertilizer costs, fuel price volatility, and export delays that strain already fragile farm economics. Exporters often carry the largest financial exposure during logistics disruptions. With coffee already purchased and contracts to fulfill, delays in containers, shipping schedules, and currency markets can create significant financial pressure, particularly for smaller exporters. Traders typically have more tools to hedge against volatility, while farmers increasingly use supply and demand dynamics to manage risk by delaying sales when prices are unfavorable. Roasters and downstream buyers ultimately feel the cumulative effect of disruptions earlier in the supply chain, including rising freight costs, unpredictable arrivals, stock shortages, and pricing instability. The episode highlights the importance of understanding risk across your entire supply chain and strengthening relationships with partners who can navigate uncertainty together. In the next episode, Lee explores the economic domino effect of geopolitical conflict across the coffee industry. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    18 min
  4. EP 972 | Part 2 of 5: The Shipping Crisis and Global Coffee Trade Routes (Lee Safar)

    3 DAYS AGO

    EP 972 | Part 2 of 5: The Shipping Crisis and Global Coffee Trade Routes (Lee Safar)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is Part 2 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry. In this episode, Lee Safar explores the shipping system that moves coffee around the world and explains why disruptions in West Asia could have significant implications for the global coffee industry. Approximately 80–90% of global trade moves by sea, and coffee is deeply dependent on those maritime logistics systems. Lee explains the importance of several key trade routes that shape global coffee movement, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal. These waterways connect Africa, Asia, and Europe and carry enormous volumes of global trade. When shipping routes become unstable due to conflict, ships may be forced to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles and weeks of travel time. This increases fuel costs, freight prices, insurance premiums, and supply chain uncertainty. The episode also explores why these disruptions affect different coffee supply chains differently. Coffee moving from East Africa and Asia toward Europe relies heavily on the Red Sea corridor, while some Latin American routes may be less directly affected. Understanding these logistics systems is essential for coffee professionals trying to navigate the uncertainty created by geopolitical conflict. In the next episode, Lee explores who is likely to be hit first in the coffee value chain as these disruptions unfold. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    22 min
  5. EP 971 | Part 1 of 5 | Why The Israel/US War With Iran Matters to the Coffee Industry (Lee Safar)

    4 DAYS AGO

    EP 971 | Part 1 of 5 | Why The Israel/US War With Iran Matters to the Coffee Industry (Lee Safar)

    This episode is brought to you by Arkena Coffee Marketplace, connecting you to the next coffee harvest in Ethiopia through direct trade.https://arkenacoffee.com/https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/Email: hello@arkenacoffee.com Episode Description This is Part 1 of a five-part series: War, Trade, and Coffee — What the Middle East Conflict Means for the Global Coffee Industry. In this solo episode, Lee Safar explores why geopolitical conflict has a direct and immediate impact on the coffee industry. Coffee is one of the most globally traded commodities in the world. While we often think of coffee as an agricultural product, the reality is that coffee moves through a much larger system that includes energy markets, global shipping routes, and financial trade systems. When conflict emerges in regions that sit at the centre of global trade — particularly in West Asia — the ripple effects move quickly through those systems. In this episode, Lee explains three key systems that shape how coffee moves around the world: • Energy and fuel markets • Global shipping routes and maritime trade corridors • Trade finance and the banking systems that support global commodity markets Understanding these systems is essential for anyone working in coffee today. As conflict unfolds in one of the most strategically important regions for global shipping and energy, the coffee industry will likely experience ripple effects across pricing, logistics, and supply chains. This episode sets the foundation for the rest of the series, where we’ll explore the shipping crisis, the economic domino effects across the coffee value chain, and what coffee professionals should be paying attention to as global conditions evolve. Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/https://mapitforward.coffeehttps://www.instagram.com/leesafarhttps://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    24 min
  6. EP 970 | Part 5 of 5 | The Future of Australian Coffee Farming (Rebecca Zentveld)

    13 MAR

    EP 970 | Part 5 of 5 | The Future of Australian Coffee Farming (Rebecca Zentveld)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by the Map It Forward Patreon Monthly Discussion Group. Join our Roasted Coffee tier on Patreon for early ad-free access to podcast episodes, our weekly industry insights blog, and access to exclusive monthly live discussion groups with coffee professionals from around the world. Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community. Episode Description This is Part 5 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association. In this final episode, Rebecca explains how the Australian coffee industry is entering a new phase of development. For decades, Australian farms relied on just a small number of coffee varieties. Today, growers are participating in global research programs testing dozens of Arabica varieties to determine which ones perform best in Australian conditions. The discussion also explores Australia’s strict biosecurity protections, which have kept major coffee diseases out of the country while also limiting access to new plant genetics. Rebecca shares how new varieties, collaborative research programs, and new growers entering the industry may shape the future of coffee production in Australia. The episode closes with a reflection on the importance of land stewardship, regenerative farming practices, and leaving the farm healthier for the next generation. Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/ *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    24 min
  7. EP 969 | Part 4 of 5 | Biological Coffee Farming in Australia (Rebecca Zentveld)

    12 MAR

    EP 969 | Part 4 of 5 | Biological Coffee Farming in Australia (Rebecca Zentveld)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. In 2026, fewer businesses can justify expensive trade shows. Advertising on a Map It Forward podcast connects you directly with a global audience of coffee business owners and professionals across the value chain. We offer flexible pricing structures and accept payment in US dollars or select cryptocurrencies. Email support@mapitforward.org to learn more. Episode Description This is Part 4 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association. In this episode, we explore the relationship between biological farming practices and coffee quality. Rebecca explains how regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health through microbial diversity, compost systems, cover crops, and reduced chemical inputs. These biological systems encourage beneficial microbes that help unlock nutrients and deliver them to plants. The conversation also explores practical techniques being tested on Australian coffee farms, including worm composting, compost teas, wood-based compost, and agricultural waste streams used to build soil fertility. These approaches are part of a growing movement in agriculture focused on building resilient farming systems that support long-term productivity and potentially influence crop quality and flavor. In the final episode of the series, we explore the economics and future of Australian coffee farming. Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/ *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    22 min
  8. EP 968 | Part 3 of 5 | The Challenges of Coffee Farming in Australia (Rebecca Zentveld)

    11 MAR

    EP 968 | Part 3 of 5 | The Challenges of Coffee Farming in Australia (Rebecca Zentveld)

    Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world — farm to roastery, direct.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523 Episode Description This is Part 3 of a five-part series on Australian Grown Coffee with Rebecca Zentveld, second-generation coffee farmer at Zentveld Coffee Farms and President of the Australian Grown Coffee Association. In this episode, Rebecca explains the major structural and economic challenges facing Australian coffee farmers. Land in Australian coffee regions can cost millions of dollars, and farmers must invest heavily in equipment, processing infrastructure, and labour just to operate. Australia also lacks cooperative processing systems common in other coffee-producing countries, which means smaller growers often struggle to access harvesting equipment or mills. The conversation also explores labour costs, regulation, harvest timing challenges due to rainfall patterns, and the economic reality that many coffee farms must rely on value-added businesses like roasting in order to remain financially sustainable. This episode offers an honest look at why producing coffee in Australia is so challenging — and why those challenges reflect broader economic pressures across the global coffee industry. Connect with Rebecca Zentveld and Zentveld’s Coffee Farms here: https://www.zentvelds.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee/ https://www.agca.au/ *************************************** About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain. Website: https://mapitforward.coffee Mailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/ Contact: support@mapitforward.org

    20 min
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About

The Map It Forward Middle East Podcast explores the business of coffee across the Middle East, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, producers, and professionals building the future of the region’s coffee industry. Hosted by Dubai-based Map It Forward founder Lee Safar, each five-episode series highlights one guest's journey, offering practical insights, regional context, and candid discussions that reflect the evolving global coffee landscape. Episodes are released daily at 6 am local UAE time. The video version of the podcast can be found on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Our website https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    MAP IT FORWARD
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 MAP IT FORWARD | All Rights Reserved 512477
  • Show Website
    MAP IT FORWARD Middle East