Fri, 11 Apr 2025

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 A bitter price hike in US coffee shops after tariffs

Higher prices are worrying independent US coffee shops, which import almost all their beans.
US coffee prices are rising due to tariffs, with businesses saying customers are tightening their belts and buying smaller coffees. Americans spend $100 billion per year on coffee, but this figure may be affected by the 10% tariffs imposed on most countries since April 5th. Coffee suppliers have informed bakery owners that prices will increase again, and some local cafes say they're already seeing a decrease in sales. The manager of Au Lait café reported a 25% price hike on their menu, with customers opting for plain coffee instead of adding syrups and milks. Businesses are also struggling to cope with the rising costs of other essential items, such as eggs, which have reached record highs due to inflation. A small coffee roaster in Washington DC expects a decrease in sales due to the tariffs, while a bakery owner says he will definitely increase prices for customers just to break even. Coffee shop owners are also feeling the pinch, with one business expecting to raise prices again to sustain their operation. However, some are optimistic that people will still come to buy coffee despite the rising costs, as it is considered an essential item.
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