The Cost of Coffee and Tariffs: How Global Trade Affects Your Morning Brew

Greetings, fellow coffee adventurers! As loyal members of the Order of the Bean, you know that every cup of coffee is a magical experience—rich in aroma, flavor, and lore. But even the finest roasts from distant realms aren’t immune to the ripple effects of real-world politics. Today, we must pull back the curtain and examine the economic enchantments—namely, tariffs—that are affecting the flow of our favorite brews across borders.

What Are Tariffs, and Why Do They Matter to Coffee?

In non-magical terms, tariffs are taxes placed on goods brought into a country from other lands. Think of them as tolls at the edge of the kingdom. If a merchant caravan brings in sacks of green coffee beans from the volcanic hills of Honduras or the misty jungles of Ethiopia, they may have to pay a toll before those beans can enter the U.S.

These tariffs aren’t simply eaten by the corporate dragons at the top—they often get passed along to everyone in the supply chain: importers, roasters, coffee shops, and yes, even the humble kobold buying a single bag of beans.

How Do U.S. Tariffs Affect the Coffee Industry?

Most coffee beans are grown in faraway lands along the Bean Belt—magical equatorial regions where coffee trees flourish. In fact, coffee cannot be grown in most regions of the US as they require a specific climate and elevation. 

Most states simply cannot grow coffee beans outside of Hawai'i and, to a lesser extent, California and Puerto Rico, all of which contribute to less than a tenth of all coffee production in the world. Thus, the U.S., being one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world, imports vast amounts of unroasted beans each year.

But when tariffs are introduced or increased—whether in response to international disputes or broader trade adjustments—they can raise the cost of imported beans, especially if the beans come from countries affected by those tariffs. That means:

- Roasters may have to pay more for green coffee, especially for specialty varieties.

- Higher prices may trickle down to coffee shops, grocers, and online retailers.

- Consumers (yes, you!) may notice slightly higher prices on their favorite roasts, or limited availability of certain origins.

It’s not unlike when a rare potion ingredient becomes harder to source—supplies tighten, prices rise, and potion masters must adapt.

But Wait—Aren’t Coffee Beans Usually Exempt from Tariffs?

Ah, excellent observation! Until recently, unroasted (green) coffee beans weren’t subject to high tariffs in the U.S., and many of the countries that export coffee to the States benefited from favorable trade agreements to keep the coffee beans flowing. 

However, changes in broader trade policies—especially those related to steel, aluminum, packaging materials, and even roasting equipment—have affected the overall cost of getting coffee from farm to cup. What’s more, recent broad tariffs, which target ALL goods from certain countries, have hit some of our largest coffee providers, like Mexico, Brazil, and Vietnam, which directly affect the price and availability of green coffee beans.

Plus, roasted coffee, flavored coffee, and coffee products that are processed or packaged abroad may face different rules. Even small shifts in regulations can send ripples through the industry like a badly thrown stone in the scrying pool.

So, What Does This Mean for Dragon Roast Coffee?

At Dragon Roast Coffee, we strive to keep our coffee magical, consistent, and accessible. But like any small guild of artisan roasters, we’re not immune to the changes in the realm’s trade policies.

Tariffs may affect:

- The cost of imported beans we use in our signature roasts.

- The price and availability of materials, including those lovely Airscape canisters and degassing lids.

- Shipping and logistics across the supply chain, including delays from distant ports to our humble roasting keep.

We keep a close eye on these scrolls of trade regulation (usually guarded by bureaucratic dragons) so that we can adjust accordingly and continue offering potions worthy of your quest log.

How Are Roasters and Coffee Adventurers Adapting?

Like any good adventuring party, the coffee industry is resilient, creative, and full of surprises. Here’s how many are adjusting their strategies:

- Diversifying sourcing: Many roasters are working with multiple importers and farms to avoid being too reliant on any one region affected by trade shifts.

- Buying direct from farmers: Strengthening direct trade relationships can help stabilize costs and ensure fair pay for growers.

- Increasing transparency: More roasters are sharing sourcing and pricing info to help coffee drinkers understand where their gold coins are going.

As for you, the loyal consumer? You’re already playing a role by supporting small roasters, asking great questions, and staying curious about where your coffee comes from!

What Can You Do?

While you may not be able to cast a “reverse tariff” spell (if only!), you can take a few simple actions to support the coffee world during uncertain times:

- Support your favorite roasteries (ahem, like Dragon Roast Coffee!)

- Buy directly from roasters when possible—it cuts out middlemen and keeps more gold in the local guild.

- Explore new origins and roasts—if a favorite is temporarily out of stock, consider it a chance to try something new.

- Be patient with shipping and pricing—these are strange times in the realm of logistics.

The Final Sip

In the grand tale of coffee, tariffs are just one of many challenges along the road from bean to brew. At Dragon Roast Coffee, we believe that magic should always be within reach—even if we have to fight off a few trade trolls to get there.

We’ll continue to roast with care, communicate with transparency, and bring you bold, flavorful roasts worthy of your morning ritual. Whether you're sipping Necromancer in a dark tower or enjoying Monk on a peaceful meadow, know that every cup supports an entire fellowship of farmers, roasters, and magical merchants working behind the scenes.

Now, go forth and sip with knowledge, my fellow adventurers. May your coffee be bold, your prices fair, and your beans free from bureaucratic curses.