Coffee Conundrum: Why Your Morning Brew is Costing More

Coffee lovers in the U. S. are feeling the pinch. Prices for ground coffee have shot up. In September, the average cost hit $9. 14 per pound. That's a 3% jump from August and a whopping 41% increase from September 2024. This trend isn't just about coffee. Overall food prices have also risen by 3% compared to last year. Local coffee shops are struggling too. Nikki Bravo, who co-owns Momentum Coffee in Chicago, had to raise prices by 15%. She's paying more for beans, cups, and even labor. With Chicago's minimum wage now at $16. 60 an hour, every cost adds up. Bravo explained that she couldn't keep absorbing these expenses alone.The U. S. relies heavily on imports for its coffee. Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam are the top suppliers. But tariffs are making things worse. The Trump administration has imposed hefty tariffs on Brazilian and Vietnamese coffee. This has led to reduced supply and higher prices. Weather isn't helping either. Droughts and poor conditions have hurt global coffee production, driving prices even higher. Some lawmakers are trying to fix this. A bipartisan group introduced a bill to repeal coffee tariffs. They argue that since the U. S. can't grow much coffee, these tariffs hurt consumers. Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Don Bacon are leading the charge. They hope the bill will pass, easing the burden on coffee lovers.