INTERACTIVE: Climate woes brew higher coffee bean prices

By DIVYA THERESA RAVI and SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian coffee roasters may soon feel the pinch as rising prices in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia push up the cost of imported beans.

Some seasoned coffee operators come forth to say coffee bean prices have risen, but are still managing despite the climate crisis. 

Previously, The Star reported climate change in the top coffee-growing countries has caused stress to the plants, making them more susceptible to disease, reducing yields and leading to poorer beans. 

With that, this could reduce the supply and quality of coffee and contribute to price increases worldwide.

For specialty roaster Mohamed Helmi Ahmad Darki, who runs a cafe in Cheras, the impact is clear.

“Last year, normal processed beans cost around RM35 per kilo, special processing around RM40,” said the 37-year-old. 

“This year, normal coffee increased to RM45 to RM50, and special coffee RM55 to RM60, almost a 30% increase,” he said.

Helmi, who has been in the business for nearly nine years, explained that his sourcing strategy has helped cushion the blow.

Initially buying from local suppliers, he later shifted to direct farm purchases in Indonesia, Panama and Colombia. 

For harder‑to‑reach countries like Ethiopia and Kenya, he relies on a UK‑based company that set up in Malaysia three years ago.

“Surprisingly, our business is doing very well under the climate crisis,” he said. 

“Even during the global coffee shortage three or four years ago, we pivoted to sourcing directly from farms and secured supply while others struggled.”

Helmi noted that while bean costs for his cafe range between RM50 and RM60 per kilo,  with premium ones reaching RM150 to RM200,  he has not significantly raised drink prices. 

“We can absorb the high cost at the moment without passing it fully to customers,” he added.

Another roaster, Hamizah Hamzah, 35 from Old Klang Road, echoed the challenge. 

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 when we buy,” she said.

Hamizah recalled Brazil’s climate troubles in 2021, when prices jumped from RM25 to RM35 per kilo. 

“Whereas in 2025, Indonesian beans rose from RM37 to RM42 to RM45. “The rise is bearable, and the beans I use from Sumatra are still manageable,” she said, adding that she buys about 60kg of beans for her shops.

“For Ethiopian and Colombian beans, I now pay RM48 to RM55 per kilo, this is higher as previously I bought for about RM42 to RM43. 

Beyond climate, Hamizah pointed to shipping disruptions, currency fluctuations and floods in Aceh last year that damaged crops and delayed processing. 

“When the climate changes, production is affected,” she said.

The Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA) acknowledged that local roasters remain vulnerable to global price spikes, given reliance on imported green beans.

“We have looked into importing coffee from neighbouring Asean countries to manage logistics costs,” the MSCA said.

MSCA urged consumers to support local cafe as operators try to hold prices steady.

“Prices for coffee will increase, but our members are doing their best not to raise prices suddenly,” it said, assuring that quality standards will not be compromised.

As of now, MSCA said cafes are focusing on reducing wastage, managing quality and gradually adjusting prices. 

The association is also strengthening coffee education, encouraging consumers to choose quality over quantity and building community support.

According to the International Trade Centre’s Trade Map portal, Malaysia imports the highest volume of coffee beans from Vietnam, followed by Indonesia and then Brazil, totalling up to US$443.25mil. 

The import prices of coffee beans into Malaysia have risen particularly after 2021, with prices from major suppliers such as Vietnam and Indonesia doubling by 2025.

The average import price of Vietnamese coffee increased from about US$1.61 per kg in 2020 to over US$5.29 per kg in 2025, while Indonesian coffee rose from about US$1.64 per kg to US$4.85 per kg over the same period.

Coffee from Latin American countries such as Brazil and Colombia remained more expensive, with prices reaching US$7.53 per kg and US$8.18 per kg respectively in 2025.