The price of coffee will rise sharply in the near future

The price of coffee will rise sharply in the near future, not just in Germany, and that’s a good thing, according to one expert. Coffee expert Steffen Schwarz has some bad news in the interview given to the “Spiegel” publication: “The price of coffee will increase in the medium and long term, and very significantly.” “This is also necessary,” he says. (Continue after photo)

The price of coffee will rise sharply in the near future

Coffee has now become a cheap, mass-produced commodity, as anyone who has traveled to coffee-growing regions can quickly ascertain. Schwarz gives an example in this context. “A coffee farmer in Mexico once told me that his grandfather was able to buy another truckload of coffee. Years later, one load was enough for his grandson to buy two pairs of pants.”

However, the latest price increase is not due to better remuneration for coffee farmers, but has entirely different reasons. India has recently become extremely important, especially in the low-cost segment, where more and more Robusta beans are grown, which have a less complex flavor but a higher caffeine content. (Continue after photo)
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Now an intermittent rain has destroyed much of the crop; a consequence of climate change. Long periods of drought or heavy rainfall also make yield less predictable. This makes it more difficult to recruit migrant or seasonal workers.

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Last but not least, more and more coffee is now consumed in the countries where it is grown. “So we have lower yields, labor shortages and growing demand at the same time”says Schwarz, summarizing the reasons for the impending price hike.
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And, as I already mentioned, this is basically a good thing. Because when it comes to coffee, we have to ask at what price it can be produced in such a way that neither nature nor people are exploited. “And this value has not yet been reached,” he says for Der Spiegel.

In his opinion, a reasonable price is around 25-30 euros per kilo, “if I want a good flavor and if the ecological and social aspects are important to me”. That translates to a price of 25 to 30 cents per cup, the expert calculates. “If we want sustainability, then we have to say goodbye to coffee prices like we currently have in the supermarket.”

A high price does not automatically mean good flavor and good sustainability

It is important to pay attention to where the coffee comes from. If the exact name of the coffee grower or at least the local growing region can be mentioned on the packaging, this is a good sign.
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A supposedly “Fairtrade” coffee at a discount store for a few euros per half kilo? “To me, such seals or certificates are indulgences.” For Steffen Schwarz, the best solution remains direct trade. Roasters and producers should be in contact and work together to improve quality.

Finally, “Der Spiegel” wants to know: Given the rising prices, is it worth stocking up on coffee beans in advance? “If you like old, rancid coffee, then yes,” says the specialist.