Following the Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DACO) announcement of a price increase for coffee, Érika Reyes, president of the Escuela de Café y Baristas, supported the move and emphasized that the shelf price consumers see will depend on several factors, including the operational costs of each roaster and their access to local coffee. Reyes noted that Puerto Rico produces only about 20% of the coffee it consumes, so roasters will have to balance the use of local and imported coffee.
The price increase, which will take effect on November 13, is the result of a review that had not been done in over 15 years. Reyes clarified that the increase in prices paid to coffee farmers and the price of sale to roasters does not directly translate to a proportional increase for consumers. She also highlighted the importance of understanding that the price reviews are two separate issues: one for coffee farmers, who produce the coffee, and another for the price of sale to roasters.
The increase is expected to encourage coffee farmers to maintain and produce their crops, potentially leading to more local coffee being available.