Turmoil brews in coffee industry

BY DALE K. DuPONT

MORE IN STORAGE: Warehouse stocks are up about 15 percent over last year, says Roberto Olmeda, generald manager of Colmar Storage. AL DIAZ/HERALD STAFF

Talk about a jolt from java.

World supplies of coffee exceed demand. Quality is deteriorating. Prices paid to growers are in a slump, while prices of some supermarket brands are going up. Colombia is opening a string of coffee shops to shore up its market. And Starbucks is pushing into Latin America.

More...