Portland coffee drinkers are facing unprecedented prices for coffee beans as local roasters adjust their prices in response to a combination of factors such as inflation, drought in major coffee-producing nations, and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Many local roasters have raised their prices recently, with some implementing increases last year and others following suit this summer. According to Matt Lounsbury, president of Proud Mary USA, the trend of paying more for coffee is here to stay.
Prices for locally roasted beans, typically sold in 10-ounce to 12-ounce bags, have risen significantly. For instance, the price of a one-pound bag of Human Bean’s Goose Hollow blend on its website surged from $14.95 this spring to $16.95 today. Similarly, Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ Hair Bender blend increased from $16 to $19 on their website since last summer, translating to about $25 per pound.
Coava Coffee Roasters’ Pacific Wonderland blend saw a price jump from $17 to $19 this spring, which equates to more than $28 per pound. Notably, Good Coffee has maintained its price for its premium Grand Cru coffee at $37 to $38 per 12-ounce bag for over 18 months, averaging around $50 per pound.
In the supermarket sector, national brands are not exempt from these price hikes either. For example, a canister of Folger’s Classic Roast ground coffee, weighing slightly over two pounds, rose from $15.99 this spring to $20.99 this summer at Fred Meyer. That’s over $10 per pound.
Moreover, Costco’s two-pound bag of dark roast, whole bean Peet’s Coffee, Major Dickason’s Blend, increased from $18.99 in early 2025 to $20.99, which totals about $10.50 per pound.
Local coffee company Nossa Familia, which sources beans from its founder’s Brazilian family farms, informed customers last week of a price update effective August 29 due to global supply chain pressures affecting coffee costs. The situation comes on the heels of two challenging years of weather-related damage in Brazil and the imposition of significant tariffs by President Donald Trump.
Brazil is responsible for over one-third of coffee imported to the U.S., making it a key player in the coffee market. The Trump administration enacted a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, along with tariffs on other key coffee-producing countries: 10% on Colombia and Ethiopia, 15% on Costa Rica, and 20% on Vietnam.
Lounsbury of Proud Mary USA noted that his coffee shops have historically charged premium prices due to ethical sourcing practices. Still, the rising costs from climate change and inflation have made it necessary to raise prices, although they have absorbed costs where possible. He believes that customers who appreciate quality coffee understand these economic pressures.
He anticipated that many cafes across Portland would need to raise prices soon, with the rising cost of coffee per pound affecting their bottom line.
Keia Booker, co-owner of Keia & Martyn’s Coffee, announced they plan to increase their prices for the first time in six years starting September 1. However, they will not raise prices at their cafes to avoid discouraging business after recently opening their downtown location. Customers can expect an increase of about $2, resulting in an average price of $22 per 12-ounce bag.
Booker expressed frustration about the tariffs and their impact on small businesses, calling it disheartening and damaging to both local entrepreneurs and American consumers.
Despite rising costs, many Portland coffee drinkers have expressed their commitment to continuing their coffee habits. Many shared that price increases have been noticeable in their daily lives, yet they remain unwilling to sacrifice their enjoyment of coffee.
Sebastian Mott, for example, visited a coffee shop recently as a treat after completing a deep clean of his apartment. While he found the price increases aggravating, he acknowledged that his love for coffee outweighed the cost issue.
His favored drink—a mocha with lavender and oat milk—costs around $6, plus a tip of $1.
As prices continue to rise, the atmosphere in Portland’s coffee scene reflects broader economic trends. Roasters and consumers alike are navigating a landscape shaped by inflation, climate impacts, and policy-driven shifts.
The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the days of low-cost coffee in Portland may be behind us.
image source from：oregonlive
