Bengaluru’s favourite filter coffee to get costlier from next month

Bengaluru's filter coffee prices to rise by 10-15% in March due to steep increase in coffee powder cost.

The cost of Bengalureans’ beloved cup of filter coffee is set to go up by 10% to 15% from March following the steep increase in the price of coffee powder.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA) took the decision after the increase in the price of coffee powder by ₹100 a kg. The price of a kg of Arabica coffee powder, of one of the popular brands used by restaurants, which was around ₹588 on January 15, skyrocketed to ₹725 kg by February 6.

“In February, the price of coffee powder went up by ₹110 a kg. In March, it is expected to go up by ₹100 per kg again. We had never seen this kind of hike before as it always only used to be ₹20 or ₹30 per kg. We have no option but to increase prices at our restaurants,” said P.C. Rao, president, BBHA.

While the average selling price of filter coffee is currently ₹12 per cup or ₹15 per cup based on quantity, after the hike, it will be ₹13 per cup and ₹18 per cup respectively.

“A few restaurants have already hiked their prices and many more will do it from March 1. The price of milk is also expected to go up by 5% and some are waiting for that to happen before they fix the new prices. Unlike before, now we do not have to worry about exact change because 80% of our transactions are digital,” Mr. Rao said.

Regular coffee drinkers said although the price hike does not seem too much for a cup, in the long run, it will be an extra burden on the pocket.

“In the last few years, the price of a cup of coffee in restaurants has changed from ₹10 to ₹15 and now it will be ₹18. Over this time, I reduced my filter coffee consumption from three cups a day to two cups a day. Now I should cut it down even further as in a month I have to spend almost ₹900 extra just for coffee otherwise,” said Harsha. S., a resident of Uttarahalli.