Coffee drinkers beware: You could soon be paying more for that next cup of Joe.
President Donald Trump's tariffs are expected to drive up prices on coffee from certain countries, and that is already creating trouble for coffee connoisseurs.
Owners of coffee shops are bracing for the tariffs. Currently, a large 16-pound bag of coffee from Vietnam costs about $700; however, Trump slapped a 46% tariff on coffee from that country. It means that same bag would now cost $1,000.
Bri Morbitzer drinks coffee daily and often treats herself to a cup of coffee from a barista. She admits she may start drinking less if prices go much higher.
“I would buy it less. I really, really would. I wouldn't justify that expense for me,” Morbitzer said.
Trump's tariffs are as high as 46% on beans from Vietnam and 10% on countries like Brazil and Colombia.
Ulli Winckler runs Dean Street Coffee and said there a lot of insecurity in the coffee market emphasizing no one knows where the market is going or where it will end. He has roasted, brewed and sold coffee for 40 years.
He says weather and climate have already created some of the highest prices he's ever seen. He warns higher coffee prices are coming if the tariffs remain.
“We're still in the process of thinking about it. I just had this conversation for a few minutes. Shall we raise the prices? What shall we do?” Winckler said.
David Serrano, a coffee drinker, doesn't mind paying more for his coffee.
“I am anticipating paying more. I understand tariffs are going to essentially cause an uptick in costs across the board,” Serrano said.
“It's leaving people in a very reactive state all the time and that is a very uncomfortable place to be,” Morbitzer said.
The best advice may be to purchase extra coffee now before the tariffs show up in supermarkets. It’s still uncertain how much individual cups of coffee will rise in price as it will depend for now on what country your coffee beans come from.