A fresh cup of Tim Hortons coffee is poured in Toronto on May 14, 2010, showing the popular 710-millilitre size many Canadians enjoy as part of their daily routine. The Canadian Press
Canadians will now pay a little more for their daily coffee at Tim Hortons. The company confirmed its first price increase in three years, saying the decision reflects growing global coffee costs.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the popular coffee chain said the 1.5 per cent price increase per cup is “more than reasonable” when compared with overall inflation. The rise works out to about three cents more per cup.
Rising Coffee Bean Costs
According to Tim Hortons, the price of coffee beans has more than doubled in recent years. Data from market analysts shows that bean prices jumped from C$2.21 to C$5.45 per pound over the last three years.
This surge has placed pressure on both suppliers and retailers across Canada. The restaurant chain said the increase was necessary to balance higher import and production costs while keeping prices fair for customers.
Beyond drive-thru counters, coffee lovers are also paying more at grocery stores. Statistics Canada reported that Canadians spent 27.9 per cent more on coffee in August compared to the same month last year.
Canada’s Coffee Imports and Trade Impact
Canada imports most of its coffee beans from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and other Central American countries. In July alone, the country imported about 131 million kilograms of unroasted coffee, worth over $1.3 billion.
While unroasted beans come from Latin America, most roasted coffee on Canadian shelves is imported from the United States. In July 2025, Canada brought in 3.9 million kilograms of roasted coffee, much of it affected by trade tensions.
Tariffs between the U.S. and Brazil, introduced under President Donald Trump, created ripple effects for Canadian coffee prices. Canada later placed retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods, including coffee products, which may have increased import costs.
Statistics Canada noted that these counter-tariffs were “possibly affecting costs for some Canadian coffee importers,” creating further strain on prices.
Food Prices Climb Higher
Coffee isn’t the only product getting more expensive. Loblaw’s September food inflation report revealed that food prices rose 3.5 per cent in August, outpacing the 1.9 per cent increase in the Consumer Price Index.
The report also pointed to coffee as a key driver of higher grocery bills. It said, “coffee prices have climbed back near their 2025 highs,” linking the spike to U.S. tariffs on Brazil, the world’s largest coffee exporter.
Loblaw added that coffee buyers are struggling to find affordable alternatives while Brazilian growers are “holding on to their beans,” waiting for better market conditions. These factors, combined with trade policies, continue to make global coffee markets unstable.
Although many tariffs were lifted in September, supply and cost pressures remain. Loblaw said product shipments are now “flowing through” to customers more smoothly, but prices have yet to return to earlier levels.
