UK Flat Whites Hit £6.50 as Coffee Bean Prices Jumped Over 200% Since 2021

1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 13

£6.50 flat whites are now appearing in parts of London, with Lavazza lifting its sit-in price near Regent Street from £5.50 and warning of "exceptional volatility" across the coffee market.
Arabica bean prices have risen 230% since 2021 and robusta 325%, driven by heavy rain in Brazil, drought in Vietnam, higher energy costs and rising wages, taxes, fuel and fertiliser bills.
Brazil's June rainfall ran nearly 2,000% above the historical norm, delaying harvests to 52% and hurting bean quality, while Vietnam's fertiliser and fuel costs rose 30% year on year and labour 33%.
Lavazza said at least two years of good harvests in Brazil and Vietnam would be needed to calm prices, but weather risks and speculation make that unlikely, leaving cafes to pass on costs while testing how much customers will keep paying.