Dear Coffee Friends,
As you've likely heard, the coffee world is going through some turbulence right now. In recent months, new tariffs have been placed on coffee imports from all producing countries. Since far less than 1% of coffee is grown here in the U.S., these policies ripple across the global supply chain, impacting farmers, roasters, and coffee lovers like you.
We know this is a lot to take in, and you might be wondering: What exactly are tariffs? Why do they matter for my morning cup? How do they affect farmers and roasters like Dean's Beans?
To help explain the current landscape, we've asked our CEO Beth, and Roastmaster/Green Coffee Buyer, Brendan, the biggest questions we've been hearing from our customers.
What are tariffs? Who pays them?
Beth - Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imported goods. They effectively serve as a trade barrier that ultimately increases prices for businesses and consumers. Tariffs are paid by importers (like Dean's Beans), but the cost is often passed on to the public through higher prices for imported items or increased production costs for businesses that use imported materials - in our case, green, unroasted coffee. Tariffs can be a tool of economic and foreign policy, intended to protect domestic industries, encourage local manufacturing, and discourage importing products and materials. They can also be used to pressure other countries to adopt preferred trade policies.
Do tariffs help farmers?
Brendan - No. We'd be thrilled if the farmers were receiving more money because of the tariffs, but unfortunately, that's not the case. Most of the world's largest coffee-producing countries have higher tariffs, and the negative effects will be much worse for countries with higher tariff rates. For example, big coffee companies may abandon relationships in Brazil, which currently has a 50% tariff, to find cheaper alternatives from other countries. When the coffee business leaves Brazil, the effect may be devastating for coffee farming communities.
How do tariffs affect me as a Dean's Beans customer?
Brendan- When we had to raise prices earlier this year, that was in response to a significant increase in the global price of green coffee, before universal tariffs were announced. Dean's Beans has decided not to increase prices further at this time despite paying tariffs on every container of coffee we import. Across the coffee industry as a whole, prices are going to go up.
What is the current status of tariffs? What might happen next?
Beth - On September 5, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order that may eventually provide relief for agricultural products not grown in the U.S., like coffee, bananas, and mangoes. A zero percent tariff could be possible, but only if each producing country negotiates what the administration calls an "advantageous trade deal".
For now, coffee tariffs remain unchanged.
Our partners feel the impacts of tariffs deeply. Gabriela, the longtime Business Manager at Prodecoop in Nicaragua, shared with us:
"We are really worried about these tariffs; we don't know how they will affect the sales of our next harvest, as it is one more burden for our producers. We are at a complete disadvantage in Central America, but we are looking for solutions and always remembering that we have valuable allies like Dean's Beans."
-Gabriella, Prodecoop, Nicaragua
At the end of the day, tariffs are just one more challenge in the ever-changing landscape of coffee, but they don't define us or the incredible farmers we partner with. What truly matters is the strength of the relationships we've built together over decades, and the resilience of the communities that grow your coffee.
By choosing Dean's Beans, you're helping to buffer farmers against instability, supporting fair trade practices, and ensuring that ecosystems are protected for future generations. While markets rise and fall, our promise remains steady: to keep your coffee delicious, ethical, and as affordable as possible, while being transparent with you every step of the way. Thank you for being with us on this journey. We appreciate you.