Why Coffee Prices Are Increasing: Transparency from OR Coffee Roasters

Over the past few years, the global coffee market has changed dramatically. At OR Coffee Roasters, we believe transparency is essential, especially when price increases become unavoidable. That’s why we want to clearly explain what is happening in the coffee market, what this means for us as a specialty roastery, and why we remain committed to quality and direct sourcing.

In our recent communication, we shared the human stories behind the current coffee crisis. Here, we want to complement those stories with the hard data that informs our business decisions.

Below is a graph showing the global "C-Market" price for coffee from 2020 to today.

What does this graph mean for the roastery?

While this chart shows the "commodity" price, it dictates the baseline for the entire industry. As a specialty roaster, we pay a significant premium above these prices to secure the top 5% of the world's best harvest.

When the baseline quadruples, the impact on our roastery is profound:

+ Cash Flow & Sourcing: To buy the same container of coffee we bought in 2020, we now need four times the capital. This ties up our ability to invest in new roastery tech or expanded services.

+ The "Landed" Cost: This graph doesn't even show the rise in shipping, insurance, and energy. Roasting is an energy-intensive craft, and the cost of the gas and electricity used to roast your beans has followed a similar upward trend.

+ Protecting Quality: In a market this expensive, many roasters are tempted to switch to lower-grade beans to save money. We refuse to do that. We are committed to the flavor profiles and ethical standards you’ve come to expect from OR Coffee Roasters.

The impact on our Houseblend

To see the true impact, we look at the raw cost of the green coffee before it even hits the roaster.

In a global coffee market defined by volatility, our primary goal is to remain your most stable and reliable partner. While we have worked hard to absorb the mounting pressures of higher inventory capital, energy inflation, and the rigorous quality controls required for more expensive lots, we must now adjust our pricing to reflect these new operational realities.

This step is essential to maintaining the excellence you expect from us—ensuring that your bar continues to run smoothly, your supply remains secure, and the quality in the cup is never compromised.

Do you still have questions?

We’re always happy to explain everything personally. Feel free to reach out, we’re glad to take the time to clarify our decisions and pricing.

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