For coffee lovers worldwide, it’s so much more than just a drink. It’s a morning ritual, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or a cozy cafe meet-up with a friend. However, during our daily cups of coffee, we rarely consider how global economics may influence our coffee habits. Behind every cup is a complex global supply chain that imports coffee from farms worldwide to the cafe, market, or online retailer where you purchase it.
Recently, a hot topic surrounding coffee imports has been tariffs, due to their impact on coffee prices. But how will these tariffs actually affect the cost of your favorite coffee drinks? In this article, we’ll break down what tariffs are, how they affect the costs of coffee beans and beverages, and why buying and roasting your own beans from a trusted source like Coffee Bean Corral can help you enjoy fresher coffee while saving money and supporting farmers directly.
What Are Tariffs?
Put simply, tariffs are taxes placed on goods imported from other countries. Governments use tariffs to regulate trade, protect domestic industries, or generate revenue.
Almost all coffee consumed in the U.S. is imported–only about 1% is domestically produced. Because coffee beans are almost entirely grown in tropical countries outside the country, tariffs can have a noticeable impact on the coffee industry.
When a tariff is placed on coffee, importers must pay more to bring beans into the country, and these extra costs are typically passed on to roasters, cafés, retailers, and, ultimately, consumers.
Coffee Tariffs in 2025
An estimated 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily worldwide, making coffee one of the most widely traded global commodities. Since coffee is so widely imported, international concerns about tariff-driven price hikes are mounting.
Even slight changes in tariffs can increase retail prices, making your daily latte or imported coffee bean purchase more expensive.
Generally, green, unroasted coffee beans have always been imported into the U.S. tariff-free. However, new tariffs will add cost to coffee imports across the board, including unroasted and roasted beans, extracts, and equipment.
Here are some key updates regarding coffee tariffs:
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A baseline 10% tariff now applies to many imported coffees.
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Certain countries face steeper rates. For example, imports from Brazil are subject to a 50% tariff in many cases. This is concerning for many commercial coffee roasters, as Brazil accounts for a sizeable portion of U.S. coffee imports, especially for unroasted coffee beans.
How Do Tariffs Affect Coffee Drinkers?
Now for the question on every coffee lover’s mind: how will these tariffs affect your favorite cup of coffee? Unfortunately, because tariffs increase costs for importers, the added expense is typically passed on to consumers. For coffee enthusiasts, that can look like:
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Higher grocery store prices for roasted coffee
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More expensive specialty unroasted beans
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More expensive specialty drinks at cafés that import their beans
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Less availability of specific origins or blends for home roasters or small businesses
Why Buying & Roasting Your Own Coffee Makes Sense
One way to mitigate the impact of tariffs and middleman markups is to purchase green coffee beans from trusted suppliers, like CBC, that work directly with farmers in the countries of origin, and roast them at home. At Coffee Bean Corral, we import beans directly from farmers and co-ops around the world. This direct-trade approach ensures:
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Save money on coffee markups: With all coffee imports now subject to a tariff, you can expect to see additional markups on your favorite specialty coffee drinks and roasted beans. Luckily, you can save on additional markups by roasting at home. You can purchase a full pound of green coffee for around the same price as a single specialty drink at most coffee shops, which will provide 12-16 cups of coffee roasted to your specific taste.
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Support local farmers: By buying from reputable coffee suppliers, you support local coffee farmers, which helps stabilize supply chains in the face of changes caused by climate issues, tariffs, or other unforeseen factors.
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Transparency: By purchasing your unroasted beans from a company that works directly with farmers, you can see where the coffee comes from and how it’s grown.
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Freshness: Green beans stay fresh for months, allowing you to roast small batches as needed.
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Flavor control: Home roasting lets you customize your roast level and discover unique flavors not found in store-bought coffee.
Getting Started with Home Roasting
While getting started with roasting your own beans at home might sound expensive, it’ll save you money in the long run. You can purchase a beginner roasting machine, order a sample pack of green unroasted coffee beans, and experiment with roasting small batches of coffee.
Soon, you’ll be making your own specialty blends while saving money and forgetting all about that overpriced daily latte. At Coffee Bean Corral, we can help you find the perfect beginner setup for your home roasting adventures.
The Future of Coffee Prices
Although lawmakers are working to reduce higher coffee prices by eliminating these tariffs, they will continue to affect the prices of your favorite beans and coffee drinks for now. The good news is that for consumers who care about quality and sustainability, there’s a silver lining. By starting home roasting and sourcing your coffee beans from a trusted supplier like Coffee Bean Corral, you not only enjoy better coffee, but you also contribute to building a more resilient coffee supply chain.
These tariffs can affect the price of your favorite morning cup of coffee, but they don’t have to. By understanding how tariffs on coffee beans work and exploring alternatives, like purchasing in bulk and home roasting, you can continue to enjoy exceptional coffee while keeping more money in your pocket.
At Coffee Bean Corral, our mission is to connect coffee lovers with the people and places behind every bean. Regardless of how tariffs evolve, you can rely on us to supply the freshest, most flavorful coffee beans and the latest equipment. Explore our selection of brewers, beans, and roasters to experience the difference for yourself.