Introduction:Global coffee bean supply is tightening, and prices have repeatedly hit new highs. Taiwan’s Starbucks is no exception. Starting February 12, 2025, Starbucks officially adjusted the prices of some beverages, with increases ranging from NT$5 to NT$10 per drink. This adjustment covers a variety of products including freshly brewed coffee, tea beverages, and Frappuccinos. This article provides a detailed analysis of which items have been repriced, the extent of the increases, and explores the underlying trends in the coffee bean market. It helps consumers stay updated on the latest price movements while understanding the challenges faced by small-scale coffee businesses.

Global coffee bean prices continue to climb, and Taiwan’s Starbucks finally announced quietly on its official website in the early hours of February 11, 2025, that it would adjust the prices of some beverages starting February 12, with increases ranging from NT$5 to NT$10 per cup. The official explanation is that this move is in response to abnormal weather and international developments that have led to rising raw material costs. Many consumers are concerned—will this price hike be just the beginning? Will other chain brands follow suit?

This price adjustment primarily targets freshly prepared beverages such as brewed coffee and tea drinks at Starbucks stores. Among them, freshly brewed espresso-based beverages (such as Americano, Latte, and Caramel Macchiato) and the Daily Selection series (including Coffee Misto and Nitro Cold Brew) have all seen a NT$5 per cup increase. In addition, 22 tea items, including Tea Lattes and pure teas, have been uniformly raised by NT$10, with increases ranging from approximately 5.3% to 10.5%. The Frappuccino series and 11 items under the Iced Shaken series have also been raised by NT$10, with increases ranging from 5.4% to 11.8%.

For example, the Strawberry Acai Lemon Iced Shaken originally priced at NT$85 is now adjusted to NT$95, representing a single-cup increase of as much as 11.8%, making it one of the more significantly affected items in this round of price hikes. It is worth noting that this adjustment covers almost all beverages made in-store, meaning that customers who frequently purchase Starbucks drinks will see a noticeable increase in future spending.

Not only that, Starbucks has also adjusted its in-store refill discount policy. Previously, customers could enjoy a 30% discount on refills on the same day at the same store with their receipt, but starting February 12, the refill discount has been adjusted to 50%, offering actually greater savings for frequent customers.

To ease consumer reactions to the price increases, Starbucks has simultaneously launched a “Happy Valentine’s Day Friend Sharing Day” promotional campaign from February 12 to 14. All stores across Taiwan are offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal to encourage customers to share coffee moments with loved ones.

This is not the first time Starbucks has adjusted its prices. As early as 2017, the brand also adjusted the prices of 29 beverage items, with an average increase of between NT$5 and NT$20. This time, the brand’s official statement clearly points out that the main reason is the continuously rising cost of raw materials such as coffee beans, especially as coffee futures prices have recently hit historic highs.

Looking at the international market, the futures price of Arabica coffee beans on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in New York, USA, recently broke through 430 cents per pound, not only setting a 47-year record but also achieving an astonishing year-on-year increase of 118.57% over the past year. Such a surge has had a significant impact on the global coffee supply chain, especially for businesses that rely on imported coffee beans, where cost pressures can be readily imagined.

Although large chain brands like Starbucks, due to long-term contracts and bulk purchasing, can buffer the impact of rising costs to some extent, the situation is much more severe for smaller chain coffee shops or independent cafes. The industry generally believes that this round of price adjustments by Starbucks may become a market indicator, prompting other brands to follow suit with their own price changes.

For consumers, in addition to keeping an eye on price changes, they can also take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free promotions during Valentine’s season to enjoy more favorable purchasing opportunities. Furthermore, understanding the characteristics of different types of coffee beans and brewing methods can also help you find the coffee option that best suits your taste within various price ranges.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.