KUALA LUMPUR: Coffee roasters may soon feel the pinch as rising prices in major coffee-producing countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Indonesia push up the cost of beans.
Several seasoned coffee operators said coffee bean prices have risen, although they are still managing despite the climate crisis.
Climate change in major coffee-growing countries has stressed the plants, making them more susceptible to disease, reducing yields and lowering bean quality.
This has affected the global supply and quality of coffee, contributing to rising prices worldwide.
Mohamed Helmi Ahmad Darki, who runs a cafe here, said the impact is already evident.
He said last year, normal processed beans cost around RM35 per kg, while special processed beans were around RM40.
This year, the prices increased to between RM45 and RM50, and between RM55 and RM60 respectively.
"It's almost a 30% increase, said the 37-year-old, who has been in the business for nearly nine years.
He purchased the beans directly from plantations in Indonesia, Panama and Colombia, which helped cushion the impact.
For harder-to-access countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, he relies on third parties for supply.
Another roaster, Hamizah Hamzah, 35, echoed the challenges faced by the industry.
Operating for six years, she sources Arabica beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia and Indonesia.
“Almost every year I hear from suppliers that costs are rising. We feel RM3 to RM4 increases whenever we buy.”
She recalled Brazil’s climate-related issues in 2021, when prices rose from RM25 to RM35 per kg.
“Last year, Indonesian beans increased from RM37 to RM42 and then RM45.
“The rise is still bearable, and the Sumatra beans I use remain manageable,” she said, adding that she purchases about 60kg of beans per month.
“For Ethiopian and Colombian beans, I now pay RM48 to RM55 per kilo, compared with RM42 to RM43 previously.”
Beyond climate concerns, Hamizah pointed to shipping disruptions, currency fluctuations and floods in Aceh (Indonesia) last year, which damaged crops and delayed processing.
Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association acknowledged that local roasters remain vulnerable to global price spikes due to their reliance on imported green beans.
“We have explored importing coffee from neighbouring Asean countries to manage logistics costs,” the association said in a written reply.
It also urged consumers to support local cafes as operators attempt to keep prices stable.
“Coffee prices will increase, but our members are doing their best to avoid sudden price hikes,” it said, assuring consumers that quality standards would not be compromised.
For now, the association said cafes are focusing on reducing wastage, maintaining quality and gradually adjusting prices.
"We are also strengthening coffee education efforts, encouraging consumers to prioritise quality over quantity while fostering stronger community support," it added.
According to the International Trade Centre’s Trade Map portal, Malaysia imports the highest volume of coffee beans from Vietnam, followed by Indonesia and Brazil, with total imports amounting to US$443.25mil (RM1.737bil).
The average import price of Vietnamese green beans (per kg) increased from US$1.61 (RM6.30) in 2020 to over US$5.29 (RM20.75) in 2025, while Indonesian coffee rose from US$1.64 (RM6.45) to US$4.85 (RM19).
Coffee from Latin American countries such as Brazil and Colombia remained more expensive, reaching US$7.53 (RM29.50) per kg and US$8.18 (RM32) per kg respectively in 2025.
