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LONDON – In the United Kingdom, the cost of a standard cup of coffee reaching 5 pounds could soon become a reality. This is the warning coming from some English café owners who believe this trend won’t benefit their businesses. Industry analysts, as reported by the BBC, predict that this scenario could materialize within the next two or three years.
Concerns of café owners in the United Kingdom
For instance, Nicola Lockwood, owner of the Bells Tea Shop in Lincoln, mentioned to the BBC that many café owners just like her are already noticing this trend in certain areas. Lockwood highlights the economic burden this could place on regular coffee consumers.
Karen Wattam, from the Garden Village Tearoom in Hull, also fears that such high prices might not be well-received by her customers, potentially driving them away.
Jeffrey Young, founder of Allegra World Coffee Portal, explains that coffee-based drinks with special additions like syrups or alternative milk options often already cost £5. Young compares the current concerns to those people made 20 years ago when a price of £2 for a cup of coffee seemed excessive.
Factors driving coffee price increases
The rise in coffee prices is influenced by various factors, including record-high commodity prices for Arabica coffee beans in international markets.
Additionally, poor weather conditions in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s leading coffee producers, have caused a significant drop in production.
Paul Rooke of the British Coffee Association notes that while climatic conditions have affected bean prices, other factors such as rising energy costs and operational expenses are also driving up costs for cafés.
As a matter of fact, the change in coffee prices is looming across the Channel as well, and it remains uncertain how the issue surrounding the coffee beans will be resolved.
