Coffee tariffs have been lifted, but some Portland cafés and roasters are still waiting for relief

Portland, Oregon, Grapples with Soaring Coffee Prices

Portland, Oregon, known as one of America’s coffee capitals, is facing a significant challenge as coffee prices have reached historic highs. Local café owners like Laila Ghambari, owner of Guilder Coffee Company, are feeling the impact of these soaring prices.

Ghambari, who comes from a family deeply rooted in the coffee industry, is no stranger to the business. Her expertise as a former U.S. barista champion in 2014 has not shielded her from the financial strain caused by tariffs on coffee imports. Despite a recent exemption granted to coffee and other products, the tariffs continue to affect businesses like hers.

Before the tariffs came into play, coffee prices were already on the rise due to various factors such as supply and demand pressures for premium beans and climate-related issues like crop-killing frost. The average retail price of 100% ground roast coffee hit a record high of $9.14 per pound in September, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This sharp increase has put a strain on both consumers and coffee business owners alike.

The imposition of a 10% reciprocal tariff on coffee-producing countries in April further exacerbated the situation for small businesses like Ghambari’s and Christopher Hendon, a chemistry professor at the University of Oregon known as “Dr. Coffee.” While consumers may not have felt the immediate impact of these tariffs, independent coffee operators have had to bear the brunt of the financial burden.

Charlie Wicker, owner of Trail Head Coffee, has also felt the effects of the tariffs, forcing him to lay off employees and struggle to keep his business afloat. The recent reversal of tariffs on coffee offers some relief, but the repercussions will still be felt for months to come as coffee roasters and cafés work through their existing inventory.

Despite the challenges they face, both Ghambari and Wicker remain hopeful for the future. Ghambari anticipates the arrival of tariff-free coffees in her warehouse by February, while Wicker sees the lifting of tariffs as a potential lifeline for his struggling business.

As Portland’s coffee community navigates these uncertain times, the resilience and determination of café owners and roasters serve as a testament to their passion for the craft and their commitment to providing quality coffee to their customers.