Page 25 - APPD_Something's_Brewing_Mar_Apr'25(11Apr25)
P. 25

BSA Member
         The Roaster’s Customer                                          Clear Communication: Being
          For independent coffee shops and cafés, the                    upfront about the challenges in
         increased cost of green coffee could not                        the market will help customers
         come at a worse time.                                           understand why prices are
          Businesses are also being hit by increased                     changing.
         labour costs and soaring energy prices, and                     Stronger Direct Trade
         commercial rents are also on the up.                            Relationships: Buying directly

          Higher prices at the till are almost inevitable.               from coffee producers can
         As Paul Rooke from the British Coffee                           sometimes provide more stable
         Association recently said,  "We are getting to                  pricing and ensures fairer trade
         the point where £5 for a cup of coffee will                     practices. However, this comes
         soon become the norm."                                          with increased complexity and

          However, coffee has always been known as                       costs and is fraught with
         an ‘affordable luxury’ which is resistant to                    potential pitfalls.
         rising prices.
          Individuals that support independent coffee                    Improving Efficiency:
         shops care about quality and craftsmanship                      Streamlining production
         and are more likely to remain loyal if they see                 processes and collaborating with

         their local roaster as part of a wider                          other small roasters on bulk
         movement that values transparency,                              buying may help offset rising
         sustainability and ethical sourcing.                            costs.

         Managing Rising Costs                                       Looking Ahead
             Gradual Price Adjustments: Incremental                   Whilst market conditions are
             price rises over time are preferable to a               challenging (even Nestle and
             sudden, steep increase and will be better               Lavazza have warned that bean
             received by customers.                                  prices have gone up so much they

                                                                     can no longer absorb increases
                                                                     without passing them on), they also
                                                                     present an opportunity for small
                                                                     roasters to reinforce their
                                                                     commitment to customers in
                                                                     important areas, including quality,
                                                                     ethical issues, and sustainability.

                                                                     Simon concluded, "Also bear in mind
                                                                     that coffee is a commodity and
                                                                     though the price may go up, it will

                                                                     come down at some point. It's a case
                                                                     of weathering the storm in the
                                                                     meantime."


                                                                     Contact details as follows:
                                                                     (T) 01209 - 215555
       Simon Speed-Andrews (L) of Cornish                            (W) www.cornishcoffee.co.uk
        Coffee looks on as roasting begins





                                                                         MARCH/APRIL. 2025 | ISSUE 41
   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30