'That's crazy': Aussies forced to rethink caffeine habits over this change

Millions of Aussies jumpstart their day with a good cuppa.

This small cup of coffee gives people the pick-me-up they need throughout the day with its bold, strong flavours.

However, caffeine lovers have to brace themselves, as their morning ritual is about to change.


The humble cup of coffee has already felt the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis.

Not long ago, making coffee at home was a no-brainer for anyone looking to cut costs.

With café prices for a flat white or long black topping $5, many Aussies have dusted off their old French press or invested in a shiny new espresso machine.

However, the prices of coffee beans have been skyrocketing, making home-brewed cups less of a bargain than they used to be.


compressed-pexels-drip coffee.jpeg
Preparing coffee at home comes in various ways. Image Credit: Pexels/Orhan Pergel


Smooth, flavourful Arabica beans used to be sold for $4.50 per kilo back in 2018.

Fast forward to today, these beans have been projected to hit $7.47 per kilo by 2026.

Robusta beans, often found in instant coffee, also face a price hike.

Experts predicted that Robusta prices could double from $2.91 to $6.06 per kilo.


For seniors who went through Coles or Woolworths' coffee aisle lately, you might have done a double-take at the prices.

A kilo of Campos Superior Coffee Beans at Woolworths now sets shoppers back $65, a $15 jump from two years ago.

Vittoria Espresso Coffee Beans, a fan-favourite, have climbed from $38 to $40.

A one-kilogram bag of the said beans now costs $56.

Even the home brand beans are now $15 per kilo.

Aussies took to social media to talk about the relentless price hikes.

'That's crazy, I bought three of these exact beans for $16 or $19 a bag about a year ago!' one exclaimed.

Another shopper joked that they would 'no longer be caffeinated' after seeing the new price tags.

'I drink the Vittoria Mountain Grown. It's changed from $49 to $62,' a third shared.

'To be honest, it's not the best cup out there; it's just the best bang for my buck.'


According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), coffee and tea prices have jumped about 20 per cent since 2021.

There's no single culprit behind the rising cost of your morning brew.

However, there are several factors on the price of coffee products:
  • Weather woes: Coffee crops in major producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam have been hit hard by droughts, frosts, and unpredictable weather, slashing yields and driving up prices.
  • Rising demand: As more people around the world develop a taste for coffee, demand is outstripping supply.
  • Supply chain disruptions: The pandemic, shipping delays, and increased transport costs have all played a part in pushing prices higher.
  • Inflation: Like everything else in your trolley, inflation is making its mark on coffee beans, too.
If you're not ready to give up your daily dose of caffeine, there are still a few ways to save:
  • Try alternative products: Many Aussies swear by ALDI's Lazzio beans, which are currently between $14.99 and $16.99 per kilo.
  • Look for specials: Keep an eye out for supermarket specials. Sometimes, you can snag a bag of your favourite beans at a discount.
  • Buy in bulk: If you have the storage space, buying larger quantities when prices dip can help you save in the long run.
  • Experiment with blends: Cheaper blends or even instant coffee might not be your first choice, but some brands have improved their quality in recent years.
For many seniors, a morning coffee is a part of their daily ritual.

Yet, with prices rising, more Aussies are rethinking how and where they get their fix.

Are you planning to jumpstart your coffee-making journey at home?

Here are a few home brewing techniques you can do at home:

Source: ABC Australia/YouTube

Key Takeaways

  • The cost of coffee beans in Australia has surged, with some popular brands jumping to as much as $62 today.
  • Woolworths and Coles are currently selling well-known coffee brands for $56 to $65 per kilo, though home-brand coffee beans are still available for $15 per kilo.
  • Various factors, including extreme weather, increased demand and ongoing supply chain disruptions, are driving coffee price hikes.
  • Some Aussies suggested affordable alternatives for those who want their caffeine fix.
Have you noticed the price of your favourite coffee beans creeping up? Have you switched brands, cut back, or found a clever way to stay caffeinated? Share your tips, tricks, and coffee confessions in the comments below!
 
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I have a "Coffee & Sugar (raw) Fix" twice per week at about $6.50 each / proper mug.

One at our favourite spot when we go into Port Macquarie (Mid Nth Coast NSW) 35 k's away & the other at the Dunbogan boat shed about 1 & a 1/2 k's from home. Both "Great". I take my own mug to the boat shed, no probs at all.
 
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I rarely drink coffee as I prefer tea, made throughout the day in my teapot. Reading this account of the high cost of beans, I shall never again quibble at paying $8 for my monthly box of Extra Strength Yorkshire. :coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee:🫖
That's what I buy, you pay for what you get
 
I have no problem paying more for a particular reason or event, but like insurance premiums, after the reason for the rise ends, the price never returns, so following that event any other cause it goes up even further.
 
I dont know why this price hike worries any age pensioners. We got an enormous $2.60 per week cost of living pay rise in our pension packets just recently! Surely this means that will pay for all the cost of living price hikes occurring all around us???? A little bit of sarcasm may be included in this comment......
 
I dont know why this price hike worries any age pensioners. We got an enormous $2.60 per week cost of living pay rise in our pension packets just recently! Surely this means that will pay for all the cost of living price hikes occurring all around us???? A little bit of sarcasm may be included in this comment......
The singe Age Pension rose $52.30 and couples each $39.40 fortnightly in the last 12mths.
 
My daughter and her hubby paid AU$24 for two basic cups of coffee at Singapore Changi airport yesterday.

I cannot understand why you would pay so much for a bitter tasting cup of hot river mud!
Some people just like being taken for a ride, or they're caffeine addicts.
 
My daughter and her hubby paid AU$24 for two basic cups of coffee at Singapore Changi airport yesterday.

I cannot understand why you would pay so much for a bitter tasting cup of hot river mud!
I enjoy my morning coffees at home. I enjoy going to a cafe even more for coffee, but don’t do that as much anymore. ☹️

I also enjoy different varieties of teas and herbal teas too.
 
Some people just like being taken for a ride, or they're caffeine addicts.
I can’t think of anyone who likes “being taken for a ride”. What a ridiculous thing to say.

When I’ve been hanging around airports waiting for the next leg of the flights, it can get quite boring, especially when on your own. To break up the boredom somewhat, I’ve had a coffee regardless of the price. Prices in airports are notoriously high.
 
There has been a lot said about teabags containing microplastics .
We use leaf tea in a teapot but it's up to you.
These "forever plastics" are the subject of conjecture. These PFAS materials are not "forever", but have a half life of about five years on average in the environment.

The "microplastics conspiracy" often arises from the lack of definitive evidence linking microplastics to specific health conditions, and the public's perception of the potential risks may be influenced by media reports and sensationalised claims.

The same as "climate change", "anti vaccine conspiracies" and other knee jerk reactions from some sections of the general community who are not qualified to make such alarmist statements.
 
There has been a lot said about teabags containing microplastics .
We use leaf tea in a teapot but it's up to you.
I looked it up and apparantely a lot of companies are now going to change the glue that seals the teabag which is what’s bad.There are a lot of healthy teabags on the market I noticed i’m lucky to have one cup of tea a day I love my coffee and drinking chocolate I’ve gone off Milo I reckon they’ve done something to it.
 
These "forever plastics" are the subject of conjecture. These PFAS materials are not "forever", but have a half life of about five years on average in the environment.

The "microplastics conspiracy" often arises from the lack of definitive evidence linking microplastics to specific health conditions, and the public's perception of the potential risks may be influenced by media reports and sensationalised claims.

The same as "climate change", "anti vaccine conspiracies" and other knee jerk reactions from some sections of the general community who are not qualified to make such alarmist statements.
OK
 
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