Rs 680 per kg: Coffee price rise hits consumers as bean costs soar

Kottayam: Coffee lovers are feeling the pinch as the price of coffee powder has skyrocketed, making it nearly unaffordable.

Currently, a kilo of coffee powder costs around Rs 680, a significant jump from the Rs 600 to Rs 640 range two months ago. This price hike of around Rs 40 has hit coffee powder manufacturers hard. The non-availability of coffee beans even at the market price has severely affected the coffee powder manufacturers. 

Two months ago the market price for coffee berries was Rs 222 per kg, while coffee beans were priced at Rs 367 per kilogram. However, coffee powder manufacturers are forced to pay much higher prices; Rs 400 to Rs 410 for berries and Rs 240 to Rs 250 for lower-quality berries.

Traders explain that prices spike further when beans are purchased through middlemen. If a higher-quality product is needed, manufacturers have to pay more than the market price.

The coffee beans for central Kerala are sourced from regions like Idukki, Wayanad and Coorg. Traders suggest that lower production this year compared to last year is one of the factors affecting the price rise.

Local coffee mills now charge between Rs 670 and Rs 680 per kg of powder.  A 1/4 kg of coffee powder costs Rs 170. Masala coffee powder, which includes ingredients like dried ginger, has also seen a price surge, exceeding Rs 600 per kg. 

Leading brands have also raised their prices, with their coffee powder now priced at Rs 650 per kilo.