Coffee Prices in US Likely to Remain High, Predicts WSJ

Coffee prices in the US are expected to remain elevated despite the rollback of import tariffs, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Consumers hoping for cheaper coffee after President Donald Trump reduced tariffs last month may be disappointed, as higher costs are still moving through supply chains.

The report notes that earlier tariffs on imports from major coffee producers such as Brazil pushed up raw coffee bean prices. 

However, most recent retail price increases are mainly due to last year’s supply shortages, which caused raw bean prices to double over 12 months.

Industry experts say it takes at least nine months for changes in raw coffee prices to reach consumers, due to roasting cycles, inventories, and pricing negotiations with retailers. 

As a result, any relief from lower tariffs or expected production surpluses in the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 seasons may not be felt until next year.

While tariff cuts have slowed further price increases, analysts warn that U.S. coffee drinkers, the largest coffee-consuming market globally, will likely face high prices for longer.