'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’m a Lavazza coffee person & have one mug full each morning, made in my pod machine. It’s usually only ever one a day unless I’m out, or catching up with one particular sister in law, then I’ll indulge in a long black, she doesn’t approve of coffee or much else actually. After my morning coffee I drink Twinings chamomile tea. Must admit I’ll pay whatever for my coffee.
 
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.
Never had coffee at an airport it was always”where’s the nearest bar” 🤣
 
I think that I must have a caffeine addiction....I drink copious amounts of instant coffee every day, from first thing after awakening from my sleep in the morning to the very last thing at night before going to bed....I honestly just live for my coffee every single day of the week....I generally buy the large cans of Nescafe instant coffee and enjoy every drop despite it now costing around $30 a tin at Woolies...it really is my only indulgence when shopping with the rest of my shopping very limited to a boring variety of food and some 'essentials'. Each to their own with life choices.
 
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!
Yummy... give me extra strong mud coffee any day!!!!
I got hooked on it overseas in my 20s and have to put 2 heaped spoons of coffee (used to be 3) with extra milk, sugar and baking powder, to enjoy it.
Maybe it's a good thing I only have an average of 5 cups a week ! LOL 😁 :coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee:
 
I think that I must have a caffeine addiction....I drink copious amounts of instant coffee every day, from first thing after awakening from my sleep in the morning to the very last thing at night before going to bed....I honestly just live for my coffee every single day of the week....I generally buy the large cans of Nescafe instant coffee and enjoy every drop despite it now costing around $30 a tin at Woolies...it really is my only indulgence when shopping with the rest of my shopping very limited to a boring variety of food and some 'essentials'. Each to their own with life choices.
I buy the pouches and refill the tin it’s a lot cheaper.😋
 
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Yummy... give me extra strong mud coffee any day!!!!
I got hooked on it overseas in my 20s and have to put 2 heaped spoons of coffee (used to be 3) with extra milk, sugar and baking powder, to enjoy it.
Maybe it's a good thing I only have an average of 5 cups a week ! LOL 😁 :coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee:
Wow.😮 why baking powder 🧐 it’s okay I just looked it up.
 
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I think that I must have a caffeine addiction....I drink copious amounts of instant coffee every day, from first thing after awakening from my sleep in the morning to the very last thing at night before going to bed....I honestly just live for my coffee every single day of the week....I generally buy the large cans of Nescafe instant coffee and enjoy every drop despite it now costing around $30 a tin at Woolies...it really is my only indulgence when shopping with the rest of my shopping very limited to a boring variety of food and some 'essentials'. Each to their own with life choices.
You should have got it last week it was Nescafe $20 500g but like you said it's gone up to $30 now
lf you have ''Officeworks'' where you live you can get a tin of Nescafe 700g for $30.98
My daughter and her hubby drink coffee all day so l make sure l always have some in.
 
Here is another 2 items that have recently shrunk, Bega peanut paste in glass jar from 500g to 325 g price hasn’t come down ,also VIVA paper towels in height and size.
Not only this, but the amount of the active ingredients has been diluted.

Ever notice that the viscosity of Morning Fresh dishwashing detergent and Chicken Tonight simmer sauce has become more watery in the last couple of years, reducing their effectiveness?
 
Not only this, but the amount of the active ingredients has been diluted.

Ever notice that the viscosity of Morning Fresh dishwashing detergent and Chicken Tonight simmer sauce has become more watery in the last couple of years, reducing their effectiveness?
Gotta agree there Veggie...obviously water is a much cheaper additive for these products...and got to say that the old chicken dinner isn't quite the same when using the Morning Fresh with it anymore either, but the dishes smell a lot better after washing them up with the Chicken Tonight so that's a bit of a plus I guess.;):ROFLMAO:
 
Gotta agree there Veggie...obviously water is a much cheaper additive for these products...and got to say that the old chicken dinner isn't quite the same when using the Morning Fresh with it anymore either, but the dishes smell a lot better after washing them up with the Chicken Tonight so that's a bit of a plus I guess.;):ROFLMAO:
The added advantage of using Morning Fresh in your chicken stir fry is that you can blow bubbles out of your arse a couple of hours later!
 
Gotta agree there Veggie...obviously water is a much cheaper additive for these products...and got to say that the old chicken dinner isn't quite the same when using the Morning Fresh with it anymore either, but the dishes smell a lot better after washing them up with the Chicken Tonight so that's a bit of a plus I guess.;):ROFLMAO:
😃😃 Magpie got you there Neale
 
I only buy kilos of coffee beans when they're reduced enough. I've got 3 at the moment so that should do me for a while? 😁
Although me and my wife only have one cup a day.🙂
 
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