Inaugural Auction Closes With New Record
The inaugural "Taiwan Coffee International Auction Invitational," organized by TCL Taiwan Coffee Lab, completed its international auction on the M-Cultivo platform on the evening of October 29. The event attracted more than 144 buyers from Taiwan and abroad, with 2,217 bids placed. Total transaction value exceeded NT$4.9 million, and the average transaction price exceeded NT$6,000 per kilogram, setting a new record for the highest average price at a Taiwan coffee international auction.
The organizer noted that this average price not only leads Asia but also makes Taiwan the coffee-producing country with the highest auction average price this year worldwide, second only to Panama, marking Taiwan as synonymous with top-tier Asian coffee. The champion lot, "Xiangyang Taiwan Coffee," received the highest bid of the event, at nearly NT$14,000 per kilogram, drawing strong market attention.
Domestic and International Buyers Compete for Taiwan Coffee
Among the competitors, Ever Rich Duty Free's specialty coffee brand "Ziye Coffee" secured 6 lots, including the champion lot. The company said it will continue to use its international airport platform to connect Taiwan's quality agricultural products with international travelers, letting the world know Taiwan and taste Taiwan through a cup of coffee.
On the international side, 5 Japanese specialty coffee buyers participated, including the reservation-only Tokyo Kuramae shop "Lonich," Sumida-based "ROCA Coffee Roasters," and Kanazawa-based "Yukigeame Coffee Roastery." Six other international buyers also joined, including Blue Bottle Coffee founder James Freeman's new brand "Chaff Inc," Dallas-based "Cultivar Coffee," Korea's "FILLOUT," Bali-based "Overhead," Saudi Arabia's "Black Knight," and Russia's "Silky Drum." Among them, Black Knight and Silky Drum won bids again after a year, expressing strong recognition of Taiwan coffee quality.
Local Taiwan buyers also showed strong support, with 12 buyers including 93coffee, Piccolo Angolo, Yiting, JOE'S CHILL Taiwan, Davinci Coffee, Orbiter Roaster, Sheena's Bean Coffee, Yingfang Coffee, PHASE Coffee Roasters, GESHA COFFEE ROASTERS, Yuanshi Coffee, and Shoucheng Coffee, securing a combined 8 winning lots.
Dual-Competition System Links Local and Global Markets
This year, the Taiwan Coffee Lab established for the first time a dual system of the "Best Taiwan Coffee Open" and the "Taiwan Coffee International Auction Invitational." The former selects annual quality lots through a nationwide open call judged by a national jury; the latter is judged by an international jury and brings the most outstanding Taiwan coffees to the international market through a global open auction. This year's invitational featured 30 entries from 26 estates across 8 counties and cities competing for the annual Top 20, building a bridge to the world for excellent lots.
Project director 林哲豪 said Taiwan coffee has steadily built quality, value, and international visibility, from quality certification to international auctions to an independent competition platform. Even amid global environmental challenges, it remains committed to creating a stage for Taiwan coffee. TCL noted that Taiwan coffee has developed a refined, diverse, and distinctive quality across different regions, varieties, and production techniques, and hopes the dual competitions will give outstanding producers tangible returns while letting global buyers discover Taiwan's land, artisan spirit, and industry strength in a cup of coffee.