Coffee prices give consumers a jolt as prices climb to highest level in at least a decade
In February 2016, the price for a pound of ground roast coffee was $4.44, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. Last month, that price reached $9.46.
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Coffee drinkers expect to perk up from their morning brew, but lately, they’re getting a different kind of jolt at the register, as prices for beans and brews continue to rise.
The cost of coffee has increased to the highest it has been in at least a decade, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
In February 2016, the price for a pound of ground roast coffee was $4.44, BLS data shows. Last month, that price reached $9.46. The nearly $10 spent on coffee is higher than most average grocery costs of items, other than certain meats, data shows.
Stony Brook University professor Stacey Finkelstein, from the College of Business says, "there are likely multiple factors at work here that can have a negative impact on supply."
Finkelstein says factors that can affect the supply include climate change that could cause poor harvest and crop yields, tariffs and possibly the indirect shipping costs during the war in Iran.
In November 2025, President Donald Trump walked back the 40% tariffs imposed on certain items coming out of Brazil with an executive order. After the original order was issued in July of that year, BLS data shows an increase in price from $8.13 in June to $9.26, when the executive order was modified.
The coffee industry was vulnerable at the time and still recovering from a 2024 drought that hit Brazil and Vietnam, the world's two largest coffee producers.
"Coffee production may be severely impacted by climate change over the next 20 years. So, this would be a 'stable' factor leading to sustained increases in price," says Finkelstein.
Farmers told the Associated Press that given the weather conditions, the 2025 crop was already affected, and in turn, markets already started to trend higher, which is supported by BLS data showing a $1 to $2 increase from 2024 to 2025.
Finkelstein says the change in roast prices can influence consumer decisions.
"Consumers may opt for drip coffee versus more expensive lattes or blended drinks, which can hurt profitability as the latte/blended drink is often a product with higher margins," says Finkelstein. "That said, businesses should communicate with their customers about the reason for the price increase."
The International Coffee Organization February 2026 coffee market report says the decrease of imports from January 2025 to 2026, "reflects the cyclical nature of Brazil’s Arabica production, a base effect following the record-high 'on-year' exports observed in 2023/24 (up 21.7%), and, likely, the impact of increased U.S. tariffs in 2025."
