South African Coffee Prices Surge as Global Trends Push Costs Higher Amidst Rising Inflation Rates

If you’re a coffee lover in South Africa, you might want to prepare for a hit to your wallet.

While the overall inflation rate remained steady at 3.2% in February, one item has seen a significant price jump—coffee.

Prices for coffee have surged, leading the beverage category with a 19% increase.

The Global Factors Driving Up Coffee Costs

This price hike is largely driven by global trends, with economist Frank Blackmore from KPMG South Africa pointing to rising international coffee costs.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), world coffee prices reached a multi-year high in 2024, soaring by 38.8% from the previous year.

Weather disruptions in key coffee-producing regions have caused Arabica coffee prices to rise by 58%, while Robusta coffee prices have shot up by 70%.

With these trends showing no signs of slowing down, coffee lovers may face even steeper prices in the near future.

Comparing Coffee Prices Across South Africa’s Popular Chains

Given the rising prices, The South African website decided to compare coffee prices across 10 of South Africa’s most popular coffee chains.

We focused on the price of a “tall” Americano, Caffe Latte, and Cappuccino at these spots to see just how much you’ll be paying for your caffeine fix. Here’s a look at the prices:

A Caffeine Fix With a Price Tag

As you can see, the price of a cup of coffee varies depending on where you go.

While some chains, like McCafé and Seattle Coffee Company, offer relatively affordable prices, others like Bean Tree Cafe and Vida e Caffè charge a premium for that caffeine fix.

With coffee prices rising globally, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on these costs, especially if you’re someone who enjoys your daily brew.