STiR coffee and tea magazine

40 STiR coffee and tea | 2026 Quarter 2 Summer (Jun/July/Aug) After the coffee is unloaded and warehoused, it enters the In Store phase, where it is prepared for outbound transfers to the customer's businesses. Marianella Baez Jost, founder of Farmers Project Specialty Coffee and owner of Café Con Amor in Costa Rica. Photo credit: Marianella Baez Jost The Trouble With Tariffs Because coffee is a global commodity with a complex supply chain, external factors like geopolitical unrest or shipping disruptions can quickly impact a coffee's delivery and availability. Last year, the coffee industry, along with much of world trade, was dis- rupted by the global tariff regime imposed by United States President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which imposed duties of up to 50% on imports from nearly every country that trades with the US, had a massive impact on coffee in its largest consuming market. Importers who paid tariffs at the point of entry into the US faced an immediate spike in import costs, which were often passed on to their customers and eventually contributed to a rise in coffee's retail price. Roasted coffee at US grocery stores rose 21.7% in August 2025, compared to a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In November 2025, after months of lobbying by lawmakers and industry bodies, the Trump administration exempted coffee from the tariffs. "The coffee community as a whole came together and worked really hard to lob- by and advocate for their industry on Capitol Hill and to demonstrate that coffee itself is not a product that is grown in the United States," says Mike Padovano, senior vice president of global trade consulting at Worldwide Logistics Group. The US Supreme Court struck the tariffs down entirely in February of this year. Since the exemption and the Supreme Court ruling, Padovano has been working with coffee importers to help them recover the tariffs they paid. As with most other aspects of coffee logistics, much of it comes down to docu- mentation. He explains that having the correct paperwork is crucial at all times, but especially when applying for refunds, as customs may request ad- ditional documentation or, worse, conduct an audit. Going forward, the Trump administration has said it will look to impose new tariffs, which may not exempt coffee. Padovano says in this case it's bet- ter to be prepared. "The hope for coffee is that it will receive another agricul- tural exemption, but the truth is, we won't know until those tariffs are im- posed," he admits. "So instead of taking a wait-and-see approach, it's important to make sure you're prepared for the worst-case scenario." Complicated, Unpredictable, and Vital Ensuring that coffee gets where it needs to go safely and smoothly is a complicated and some- times unpredictable process. For importers, close management at every stage is vital and involves working closely with partners in origin countries as well as across sectors such as shipping and customs. For producers and exporters like Baez Jost, taking ownership of the supply chain brings ben- efits, but also challenges. Financing can be diffi- cult, as is navigating geopolitical and supply chain disruptions as a small operator. However, she says, it is worth it. "We end up improving communica- tion, shortening the logistics chain, and providing a real sense of loyalty. Trust and transparency pro- vide real value to all involved," explains Baez Jost. The vast web of global coffee logistics allows consumers to enjoy fresh, high-quality coffee ev- ery morning, often without realizing the work in- volved in getting it to them. Behind the scenes, there are a multitude of logistics professionals, from coffee buyers to QC cuppers, and from warehouse workers to customs brokers, all work- ing to ensure that coffee makes it to the breakfast table.

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