Local Coffee Importer talks tariffs after levies on coffee were lifted

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- President Trump spoke with Brazil’s President on Tuesday, discussing trade, the economy, and fighting against organized crime.

Last month, Trump removed 40% tariffs on Brazilian foods, like beef, cocoa, fruits, and coffee. Brazil–typically supplies the United States with a third of its coffee.

In the U.S., the average price for a pound of ground coffee hit $9.14 in September, according to the Associated Press. That marked a 3 percent increase from August and 41% higher than prices in September 2024.

Kevin Kuyers, owner of Theta Ridge Coffee in South bend says this move to lift tariffs on Brazilian coffee will apply to everything coming in from now on.

Unfortunately, whatever has come in during the tariffs, the damage is done. Those tariffs and those price increases will have to remain until those coffees are gone,” said Kuyers. “Nicaragua, Colombia, Sumatra, all those, all those tariffs have gone away, too. So that is wonderful, but we have not had anything come in since those tariffs have all been dropped.”

Kuyers says Brazil will see the U.S. as a viable market again.  

“When the tariffs were so high, the Brazilians went to other markets, China and Russia, and started selling all their products there because they didn't have to worry about the tariffs or the high price that we were anticipating because of the tariffs,” said Kuyers.

Kuyers says two factors play into the higher coffee prices in the U.S. The main factor is tariffs, but another is bad crop years in Brazil and Vietnam.

“When those two countries have bad years, the entire world reacts. Basically, whatever happens in Brazil, the rest of the world reacts, if they have a good year, prices are low. If they have a bad year, prices go high,” said Kuyers.

As for when coffee prices might come down?

“I don't see prices coming down anytime soon. Yes, with the tariffs being gone, and we're relieved about that, that will bring the price down a little bit. But because of the market and the climate around the globe, prices will remain high for an extended period of time,” said Kuyers.