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 dramatically.
- September 2024 Average Cost: $9.14 per pound
- Month-over-Month Increase: 3% from August
- Year-over-Year Surge: 41% from September 2023
This trend isn't just about coffee. Overall food prices have risen by 3% compared to last year.
Local Coffee Shops Struggle
Nikki Bravo, co-owner of Momentum Coffee in Chicago, had to raise prices by 15%. She's paying more for:
- Coffee beans
- Cups
- 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.
Global Factors Driving Prices Up
The U.S. relies heavily on imports, with Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam as top suppliers. However:
- Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Brazilian and Vietnamese coffee have reduced supply and raised prices.
- Weather conditions, including droughts and poor growing conditions, have hurt global coffee production, further driving prices up.
Lawmakers Step In
A bipartisan group introduced a bill to repeal coffee tariffs, arguing that since the U.S. can't grow much coffee, these tariffs hurt consumers. Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Don Bacon are leading the effort, hoping the bill will pass and ease the burden on coffee lovers.
