Coffee Prices Surging – How Much More Will That Cup Cost?

(KMDL-FM) Two of Louisiana's leading energy sources are the largest drivers of inflation across the state. You're likely aware that gas prices have risen sharply following the military action in the Middle East. We're paying about a dollar more per gallon compared to last month. But that other liquid fuel we use, coffee, its price seems to be rising faster than that of gasoline.

READ MORE: 80,000 K-Cups Recalled - Here's Why

If there is a silver lining to the gas price conundrum, it would be that when things calm down in the Middle East, granted that's not a certainty, the prices would relax. There have also been strategic fuel reserves released to help ease the pain at the pump. But the news is not the same for your morning cup of coffee.

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How Much Has the Price of Coffee Risen?

The fact of the matter is this: coffee prices have never been as high as they are now. Statistics gleaned by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bloomberg suggest that the average price for a pound of ground roast coffee is $9.46.

We did some Googling and found that a pound bag of ground coffee produces about two dozen 12-ounce cups. If my public school math skills are still functioning, that would equate to about .40 cents per cup. That fact should be enough to make you want to brew that cup of coffee at home instead of spending 20 times that amount for the same buzz at a drive-thru.

What Is Driving Higher Costs for Coffee in Louisiana?

What is driving the surge in coffee prices is one of our favorite subjects to discuss: the weather. Bad weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world's two largest coffee producers, has created a decrease in supply as demand has been increasing. You can also say the U.S. position on tariffs has led to higher coffee prices, too. Vietnam importers now pay a 46% increase in tariffs compared to previous years.

The CEO of Starbucks told us last year that the chain would not raise prices in 2025. That same CEO is not ruling out a price increase for 2026, though. Coffee merchants will have to walk a fine line between higher prices and profits as we negotiate the current inflationary economic conditions.

A recent survey suggested that higher prices were the reason that traffic at Starbucks and other coffee chains was down significantly across the country. That survey suggested that 70% of coffee drinkers would forgo their fancy coffees if prices continued to rise.

How Much Has the Price for a Cup of Coffee Increased?

By the way, an average cup of coffee rose from a price of $3.46 to $3.57 last year. Some forecasts suggest that the same basic cup of Joe could be closer to $4 by the end of 2026.

READ MORE: Long Distance K-Cup Coffee Toss Can Hardly Be Believed

Oddly enough, I do find that the K-Cup Double Brew isn't a bad solution to getting more for your money, especially if you drip that second cup immediately after the first cup. Sorry, I don't have any tips on saving you money on gas, but these folks do. 

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