Statement on the Cancellation of COE Taiwan

Statement

Statement on the Cancellation of Cup of Excellence Taiwan

Below is the official statement from TCL Taiwan Coffee Laboratory.

Since 2021, Taiwan Coffee Laboratory (TCL) has collaborated with Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) to organize and host international competitions and auctions, through which Taiwanese coffee proved its quality in more than 20 countries worldwide with a total cumulative auction weight of 4,165 kg and an average price of NT$5,760 per kilogram in a single event. This incredible achievement belongs to our coffee producers, our local and international buyers, our sponsors, and every volunteer who assisted with the competitions or their promotion. We salute you for putting Taiwan onto the map of coffee origins!

However, Taiwanese coffee now faces challenges from abroad. Since January, ACE has demanded the suspension of Cup of Excellence Taiwan on five separate occasions. In response to ACE demands and to advocate for the program's continuation, TCL presented industry data, agricultural analysis, and protocol explanations. In the U.S. and Thailand, TCL twice appealed directly to the ACE Executive Director on behalf of Taiwanese producers. Even as the spirit of collaboration between ACE and TCL worsened and the conditions for the program's continuation constantly shifted, we never once stopped fighting for Taiwan to compete internationally under its own name. Regrettably, we were ultimately unable to sway ACE's desire to suspend the competition.

Although we once again face seemingly insurmountable odds, our efforts over the past five years were not in vain, and Taiwanese coffee's journey abroad does not end here. TCL has already begun preparations for a new competition and auction, securing the support of key international partners. The new event will be tailored to the state of Taiwan's coffee industry, adopting a diverse, transparent, and Taiwan-led approach. This initiative aims to sustain the value of the origin and the trust of international buyers, thereby continuing to highlight the brilliance of Taiwanese specialty coffee on the world stage. We hope you will join us on this exciting new adventure.

May 27, 2026

Timeline

COE Taiwan 2026 Timeline Summary

Phase 1

January

2026/1/8

Taiwan Coffee Laboratory (TCL) and Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) discussed the schedule and location for 2026 COE Taiwan.

Phase 2

February

Phase 3

March

2026/3/3

TCL and ACE held an online meeting and reached several consensuses:

Key Meeting Points

Both parties agreed to work towards continuing COE Taiwan in 2026.
ACE could not substantiate the alleged TCL infringement on producers' financial interests, so both agreed this should not be grounds for cancellation.
TCL agreed to form a COE Steering Committee by providing a list of candidates for ACE's review before issuing joint invitations.
ACE would reach out to Taiwan Coffee Association (TCA) and the Taiwan International Specialty Coffee Association (TISCA) to join the committee.
In response to ACE's concerns about Taiwan's harvest season and event schedule, TCL would conduct a harvest season survey and present a report.
Both parties also agreed to issue a joint statement.

2026/3/11

ACE reported initial contact with TCA but no response yet from TISCA. When TCL reached out, TCA stated it would contact TCL instead.

2026/3/16

In accordance with the commitment made at the 3/3 meeting, TCL sent the list of committee candidates, draft invitation, draft public statement, and harvest period analysis for ACE’s review. TCL noted that the candidate list included government representati ves, industry associations, and producer organizations, and invitations could proceed after ACE's review.

2026/3/23

ACE reversed its position, stating concerns about the infringement of producers' financial interests remained unresolved, and demanded to suspend the 2026 event, citing TCL's lack of proactive engagement with TCA.

Following an emergency meeting, ACE admitted it had not reviewed the data and reports provided by TCL, nor had it reviewed the candidate list and draft invitation; however, ACE insisted TCL should have proactively engaged TCA even after the latter asked to be the one to initiate discussions.

Phase 4

April

2026/4/1

TCL formally met with TCA to discuss COE Taiwan and TCA's potential participation in the Steering Committee. TCA indicated it needed more time to evaluate the circumstances.

2026/4/10

TCL and ACE representatives met at World of Coffee San Diego (USA) to discuss committee composition and conditions for continuing COE Taiwan.

ACE again demanded suspension of event based on previous concerns and TCL's supposed lack of efforts in forming the Steering Committee. TCL strongly protested, stating that it had provided all the documents as previously committed and had proactively engag ed with TCA; the delay was due to ACE not reviewing related materials. ACE responded that while it had not reviewed the materials and could not substantiate the alleged financial infringement, TCL as the organizer of COE Taiwan remained responsible for res olving these issues. The two parties failed to reach a consensus on the related allegations.

Both parties ultimately agreed to advance COE Taiwan 2026 under the following conditions:

Conditions for Moving Forward

TCL would select and invite five members to join the Steering Committee.
Members must include representatives from an association, the public sector, a producer organization, and an industry entity.
ACE Executive Director would personally visit Taiwan in mid -May to help secure support from the public sector.
The deadline was set for after World of Coffee Bangkok in May, when an ACE representative would be in Taiwan to witness the formation of the Steering Committee.

2026/4/28

TCL reported that it had contacted multiple committee candidates, including producer organizations, industry representatives, associations, and the public sector, and once again confirmed with ACE Executive Director his plan to visit Taiwan to secure writt en support from the public sector.

ACE agreed to issue a joint statement.

2026/4/29

ACE suggested inviting TCA. TCL welcomed this but emphasized respecting TCA's willingness to join; TCL reiterated that the mutual agreement did not warrant the participation of a specific entity.

2026/4/30

TCL issued the joint statement expressing joint efforts by both parties to hold the 2026 event and calling for industry support in the establishment of a more representative organizational structure.

Phase 5

May

2026/5/4

TCL informed ACE that the Chiayi County Government had agreed to meet with TCL and ACE representatives in mid -May to discuss public sector support and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

On the same day, ACE claimed that TCL had not engaged with TCA and had not been active in forming the Steering Committee. For the third time, ACE demanded the suspension of COE Taiwan. TCL strongly protested, arguing that ACE's statement was inconsistent w ith the facts, but ACE subsequently rejected TCL's request for a meeting.

2026/5/6

ACE stated that the scheduled meeting with the Chiayi County Government was not an appropriate arrangement. It further insisted that if the Steering Committee did not include entities such as Specialty Coffee Association, ACE would not hold COE in Taiwan i n 2026, changing its stance again by claiming it was too late to recruit international judges and execute the auction in 2026. ACE suggested a meeting at WOC Bangkok.

2026/5/7

Including TCL, four entities reached a consensus on forming the initial Steering Committee and completed the signing of MOUs, making solid progress for COE Taiwan.

2026/5/9

Representatives from TCL, ACE, and TCA met in WOC Bangkok (Thailand). TCL protested that ACE had repeatedly raised allegations without evidence and repeatedly overturned prior agreements. TCL asserted that it had fulfilled all its commitments to ACE. ACE r eiterated previously discussed concerns, argued that the Steering Committee promoted by TCL did not meet its requirements for representation, and demanded the suspension of COE Taiwan for the fifth time.

2026/5/16

Following the Bangkok meeting, TCL sent a letter to ACE to confirm if there was room for further discussion, but ACE did not reply.

COE Taiwan 2026
Summary of Discussions
and Cancellation Statement