The recent tariffs imposed on coffee imports in the United States have sparked significant repercussions across the coffee industry, particularly for café and bakery owners who are now grappling with increased costs. The price of a cup of coffee is on the rise, leaving consumers to reassess their daily caffeine habits. Tariffs have added a 10% increase to the cost of coffee beans, primarily affecting imported varieties, which may lead to less affordability for American coffee enthusiasts.
Cafés and bakeries across the nation have begun to feel the pinch as they are forced to raise their prices in response to the tariffs. Jorge Prudencio, the proprietor of Bread Bite Bakery located in Washington D.C., articulated the impact of the new tariffs stating that suppliers have raised prices, compelling him to consider an imminent price increase at his establishment. Given the bakery’s reliance on Colombian-imported coffee, Prudencio expressed concern about the sustainability of his business if these trends continue. With consumers tightening their spending, he has also observed a decrease in foot traffic, a trend that has escalated as prices rise.
Interestingly, the coffee market in the U.S. is exceedingly large, with the average American splurging approximately $100 billion a year on coffee purchases. The majority of this coffee is imported, predominantly from nations like Brazil and Colombia. In fact, the U.S. stands as the world’s second-largest importer of coffee, a position that underscores the importance of foreign coffee to American consumers. With the recent tariffs imposed on coffee imports that took effect on April 5, 2025, local businesses are bracing for the subsequent effects, including sky-high prices joined with fewer customers.
Kamal Mortada, the manager of Au Lait café, has reported observing the fallout from escalating prices firsthand. Inflation rates reached alarming highs during former President Joe Biden’s administration, leading to significant increases in ground coffee prices—recording a jump of over a dollar from previous years, with a stark rise compared to prices from March 2020. Mortada noted that many customers are opting for simpler coffees without extras, adjusting to the painful reality of increased costs.
The response from café owners is somewhat unified; many are contemplating future price hikes to maintain their businesses. Jenny Ngo, who owns Telescope Coffee in San Francisco, is anxiously awaiting news on how her coffee roaster plans to adjust prices following the tariffs. With her coffee sourced from Ethiopia and Guatemala—also subject to a 10% tariff—she finds herself confronted with tough choices that may further strain consumer purchasing habits.
As if rising coffee prices weren’t distressing enough, the challenges extend beyond coffee beans to other essentials like eggs. Both Prudencio and other café owners have reported steep hikes in egg prices, a staple ingredient that has seen costs double in recent months. This situation compounds the hardships faced by café operators and highlights a broader economic narrative surrounding inflation and costs.
Joel Finkelstein, who operates Qualia Coffee Roasters, forecasts that the recent tariffs will intensify price fluctuations. He has experienced elevating coffee bean prices since the Trump administration’s policies shifted funding away from international aid programs in South America. He anticipates a drop in sales alongside increasing costs for essential products like coffee, creating a daunting challenge for small businesses.
The consistent message from business owners across the U.S. is a shared understanding of the economic pressure they face in light of these tariffs. Consumers may need to adjust their coffee-drinking habits, including opting for smaller sizes or cutting back entirely, as the lingering economic uncertainty promises to create a bitter brew of challenges in the coffee industry long after the tariffs are implemented. As prices escalate, baristas and bakery owners alike brace themselves, caught in the middle of a dilemma that pits business sustainability against affordability for the average consumer.