Coffee in Seoul is getting more expensive. Many people notice their morning latte costs more than last year. This is true in small cafés and big chains. The reason comes from far away.
Global coffee prices reached record highs in 2024. They have stayed high into 2026. Coffee is traded on world markets before it reaches stores. These trades are called futures. When futures prices rise, café owners pay more. Then they charge customers more.
Two countries produce most of the world's coffee. Brazil is the largest. It grows Arabica beans, which are used in café drinks. Vietnam is the second-largest. It grows Robusta beans, which are used in instant coffee and espresso. Together, they supply most of the world's coffee.
Both countries have had bad weather. Brazil had droughts and too much rain. This reduced the coffee harvest. Coffee plants need the right conditions to grow. Small changes in heat or rain can damage a whole season. Experts say climate change is making bad weather more common.
When supply falls but demand stays high, prices rise. More people in Asia, including South Korea, drink coffee every day. Demand has not fallen. With less supply and more demand, prices have gone up sharply.
South Korea is one of the top coffee-drinking countries in the world. Cafés are part of daily life. Starbucks and other big chains have raised their prices. Smaller cafés have also raised prices. A small increase per cup affects many people when millions of cups are sold each day.