The price of coffee continues to rise, fueled by increases on international markets and risks weighing on the pockets of Italians with an increase in prices cost from the cup the bar. She reports it Assoutients, presenting updated data on prices and consumption. The espresso has already suffered constant increases in recent years, with a average price at the bar which stands today at 1.18 euros in the main Italian cities. Just three years ago, in 2021, the average cost was 1.03 euros, for which the Italians have already suffered a increase of 14.9% for this indispensable tradition daily. The thing we would like to say, however, is something else: to paraphrase Max Mariola, we can say that it is still not enough. Coffee still costs too little but at this rate only companies are making money.
The most expensive cities and those where prices have risen the most
Espresso coffee has an increasing price and it’s not good news: the cost is rising due to climate crisis and the internal turmoil in the regions that produce it. This leads to a price list disproportionate compared to the average of past years which will force companies to make a choice: continue to raise prices or accept one lower margin and reach out to other members of the supply chain.
For the moment the choice of companies seems to focus on the first choice: a Bolzano the record of the most expensive product, a city where coffee costs on average 1.38 euros per cupfollowed by Trent (1.31 euros) while Catanzarowith an average of 0.99 eurosis the cheapest city, thus also surpassing Naples (1.05 euros). Today’s price lists compared to those of three years ago are merciless: the province that has suffered the greatest increases is Pescarawith the average price rising from 1 euro to 1.28 euros and an increase of +28%, followed by Bari with +24.4%.
Why Coffee Should Cost More (And What We’re Doing Wrong)
All this will be reflected in the production chain: the price of coffee it should go up because at the moment the cost is demeaning for the work of bartender. It should go up because the espresso deserves it training And treatment by those who prepare it. It should rise because at the moment, despite the rise in prices, supply chains tend to exploit workers basic bordering on the slavery.
At this rate, however, the road will still be long also because Gabriele Melluso, president of Assoutenti, does not seem to perceive this problem. “We fear that the rises in coffee prices could lead to price increases in the coming weeks both for drinks at bars (coffee, cappuccino, etc.) and for powdered coffee sold in supermarkets – states the president – Even a few cents increase would cause a blow to consumers’ pockets, considering that in Italy they are served in public places approximately 6 billion coffees a year for an espresso turnover of approximately 7 billion euros nod.” We are looking at the problem from the wrong side because the supply chain is doped by prices which have remained immobile for too many years and which is now dealing with an unprecedented crisis.
