Coffee in the United States became more expensive in September based on recent government data. The average price of a pound of ground coffee increased to $9.14, rising from $8.87 in August and standing much higher than the price during the same month last year. This trend became conspicuous because food prices for both home use and dining out also grew by about 3%. A broader index that tracked all kinds of coffee products showed a 19% increase from September of the previous year. The situation affected small businesses as well, including a Chicago café owner who raised drink prices after bean costs increased by roughly 15%. Higher expenses for cups, sleeves, and a new minimum wage of $16.60 per hour further pushed shops to recalibrate their pricing. Data from a restaurant system reported that the average price of a regular coffee reached $3.54 in September.

Import conditions added pressure to the market. About 99% of coffee consumed in the United States came from foreign suppliers, mainly Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam. Tariffs placed on these countries limited shipments and created a supply imbalance, leading to another repercussion for buyers. Weather risks such as heat, drought, and the arrival of La Niña also threatened production in major growing regions. Researchers continued to search for ways to attenuate the impact of climate change by exploring more resilient coffee varieties. Lawmakers responded by introducing a bipartisan proposal in September to remove all tariffs on imported coffee. Supporters argued that the policy stayed discordant with consumer needs and that removing tariffs could reduce long-term costs for both businesses and households.