The Rising Cost of Coffee: Why Your Beans Cost More

If you’ve noticed coffee prices climbing in recent months, you’re not alone. Coffee costs are making headlines worldwide, with supply chain challenges and market fluctuations impacting the price of your favorite brew. At How You Brewin, we believe in transparency and want to share why these changes are happening—and what it means for you, our valued customers.

The Many Prices of Coffee

The cost of coffee isn't just determined by what you see on our menu or on a bag of beans. From the moment coffee cherries are harvested to the time they reach your cup, prices are set at multiple stages. Farmers negotiate prices at mills, governments set baseline rates, traders and roasters agree on market values, and global coffee exchanges determine futures pricing. All these factors influence the final cost of coffee, creating a complex web of pricing that shifts over time.

The C Price and Why It Matters

One key factor driving coffee pricing is what’s known as the "C price." This is the benchmark price for arabica coffee on the global commodities market. Historically, this price has fluctuated dramatically, impacted by factors like weather conditions, crop yields, and even financial speculators who may never touch a single coffee bean.

For the first time, the C price has surpassed $4 per pound in 2025—a record high that affects coffee roasters and retailers worldwide. While this number might seem like a far-off market statistic, it directly impacts what we pay for the green coffee beans that fuel every cup we brew.

The Realities Behind the Rising Costs

The price you pay for coffee isn’t just about supply and demand. Several elements contribute to the rising costs, including:

• Climate Change & Weather Events: Unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, and plant diseases affect coffee yields, making beans scarcer and more expensive.

• Labor & Production Costs: Farmers and workers across the supply chain are facing higher costs for wages, equipment, and transportation.

• Global Supply Chain Challenges: From shipping delays to increased fuel costs, getting coffee from farms to our roaster (and eventually to your cup) has become more expensive.

• Market Speculation: Financial institutions and investors trading coffee futures can drive up prices, sometimes disconnected from actual supply and demand.

What This Means for How You Brewin

At How You Brewin, we are committed to bringing you high-quality coffee while ensuring that the farmers who grow it are fairly compensated. As prices rise, we’ve had to make adjustments, but we’re doing everything we can to keep our coffee accessible while maintaining the quality and ethical sourcing standards you expect from us.

You may see some price increases on your favorite drinks and beans, but know that every dollar spent goes toward ensuring:

• We continue sourcing the best coffee possible

• Farmers and producers receive fair pay

• We maintain sustainable business practices to keep serving you for years to come

Supporting Your Favorite Coffee House

We know price increases are never fun, but your support means everything to us. Whether you grab your daily latte, pick up a bag of beans, or simply spread the word about your favorite neighborhood coffeehouse, you help us continue to do what we love—bringing people together over a great cup of coffee.

Thank you for being part of our community, for understanding the challenges of the coffee industry, and for continuing to choose How You Brewin. Your love for coffee is what keeps us going, and we’re honored to serve you, no matter what the market throws our way.

Here’s to many more cups shared together—because no matter the price, coffee is always worth it.