The price of your morning cup of coffee is going up – here's why
There’s a storm brewing for anyone who can't start their day without a cup of joe.
Coffee prices have been steadily climbing since January, and experts believe more increases are on the way, in part due to climate change.
“Coffee prices at retail have gone up about 17 per cent so far since January and we are expecting more increases by the time we're done with 2021,” said Sylvain Charlebois, senior director at the agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
The weather is causing an impact. In late July, Brazil, which is one of the largest coffee producers in the world, saw snow for the first time in years, affecting the harvest of Arabica beans and sending coffee price higher.
“Futures actually went over $2 U.S. a pound for the first time since 2014, and it really spiked very rapidly,” explained Charlebois.
Higher transport costs are also to blame.
And the recent UN report on climate change has experts worried more price hikes are on the way for the weather-sensitive crop.
Worldwide coffee demand keeps rising, said Charlebois.
“Even in china Asia. They're getting more acquainted with a strong coffee, essentially, and so demand for Arabica beans is going way up,” he said.
And there’s no doubt Canadians love their coffee. The average Canadian consumes 5.5 kilograms of it every year, making us one of the most coffee-loving nations in the world.
The price hikes are a positive, though, for struggling producers, said Andrew Kyres of the Canadian Roasting Society.
“The majority of the coffee we source, like 90 per cent, is from small-holder farmers who basically live below poverty line and struggle daily wondering if they even want to continue growing a crop like coffee for the margins they receive,” he said.
Many cafés say higher bean costs will likely lead to higher prices.
“The profit isn't crazy right now,” said Matisse Gill, head roaster of Melk café. “So we do need to match it and a bit more than what it is now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.