Hawaiian Coffee Farmers Warn: "Tariffs Will Backfire, Harming Local Growers"
August 7 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
Beneath the Pacific sun, Hawaii’s coffee farmers face an uncertain future as proposed tariffs on imported coffee threaten to destabilize their industry. Despite being the only U.S. state with commercial coffee production, growers argue that steep new tariffs—50% on Brazil and 20% on Vietnam—won’t protect them. Instead, they fear market-wide price hikes will shrink demand, leaving local farms struggling to survive.
At first glance, tariffs on foreign coffee might seem like a boon for Hawaiian growers. But industry leaders say the opposite is true. “Tariffs could hurt us just as much as mainland roasters,” said one Kona coffee farmer, echoing widespread concern.
The issue lies in the ripple effect. Global supply shortages have already driven coffee prices upward. Adding tariffs could push costs even higher, squeezing consumers and roasters alike. Analysts estimate that if Brazil’s tariff jumps from 10% to 50%, major coffee chains could see significant profit losses. But the fallout wouldn’t stop there.
Most Americans drink coffee daily, averaging three cups per person. But if tariffs make supermarket brands drastically more expensive, consumers are unlikely to switch to premium Hawaiian beans—they’ll simply cut back or choose cheaper alternatives.
One Big Island farmer explained the dilemma: “If basic coffee doubles in price, people won’t suddenly start buying high-end Kona beans.” A pound of roasted Kona coffee sells for around $60, far above the U.S. average of $8 for standard ground coffee. Even unroasted Hawaiian beans, currently priced at over $20 per pound, could become prohibitively expensive after processing and retail markups.
Other growers warn that if daily coffee becomes a luxury, demand for specialty beans will collapse. “Price push people out of their morning brew, and they won’t buy exotic coffees either,” said another farmer.
Proponents argue that tariffs could bring coffee production back to the U.S. But industry experts emphasize a hard truth: coffee can’t be mass-produced domestically outside of Hawaii. The state’s output is tiny compared to global demand—projected at just 12,040 tons of coffee cherries this season, a fraction of the 450,000 tons imported from Brazil alone last year.
“The scale just isn’t there,” warned a national coffee trade group in a recent letter to U.S. trade officials. Without major infrastructure investments and years of expansion, Hawaii can’t fill the gap.
For now, Hawaiian growers watch nervously, hoping policymakers recognize the unintended consequences. Because if tariffs brew turmoil in the coffee market, the state’s small-scale farmers may be the first casualties.