**Coffee Crisis in Tijuana: Price Hikes Due to Supply Shortages and Extortion**
Tijuana’s coffee market is facing significant challenges, with prices soaring due to a persistent shortage of coffee beans in the Baja California region. This shortfall is largely attributed to disruptions in supply chains originating from Chiapas, Veracruz, and Oaxaca, noted by wholesalers and café owners in the bustling border city.
From 2022 to 2024, the cost of coffee per kilogram surged approximately 20%, climbing from 280 to 350 pesos. The upward trend has continued into 2025, with a further 10% increase pushing prices past 400 pesos per kilogram of roasted beans, varying based on the supplier.
One central Tijuana distributor, choosing to remain anonymous, described the situation: “We’ve experienced three days without supply, and uncertainty looms whether we’ll have beans tomorrow. Our sales depend heavily on the kilogram of coffee, and the coming week will be financially challenging. Our hands are tied as distributors face ‘floor charges,’ threats, and risks of road blockages and thefts.”
In cafés around Tijuana, a 10-ounce latte typically costs around 50 pesos, with prices potentially exceeding 85 pesos in high-traffic areas. This price discrepancy reflects the broader national and global issues, as Mexico’s coffee is exported internationally. Some establishments might even start sourcing coffee from California, explained a local café owner.
Tijuana’s coffee shortage has been an ongoing issue for two years, recently intensifying, and severely impacting distributors, roasters, and café owners in the city.
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**Secondary Article: Global Coffee Supplies Under Pressure**
The struggles for coffee suppliers in Tijuana mirror a broader trend affecting coffee markets worldwide. Farmers in several coffee-producing nations face fluctuating climates, economic challenges, and increasing threats from organized crime targeting agricultural supply chains. In South America and Africa, where a significant portion of the world’s coffee is cultivated, similar stories of hardship prevail. Poor weather conditions, such as severe storms or droughts, damage coffee crops, leading to diminished yields and pushing global coffee prices higher.
Furthermore, reports indicate that international coffee demand remains robust, with specialty coffee markets expanding across Europe and North America. This demand exerts further pressure on already strained supply lines, prompting price increases that reverberate through all tiers of the hospitality and food service industries.
As the world navigates these complex issues, stakeholders from coffee farmers to café owners urge international cooperation and innovation to build more resilient supply chains, ensuring the beloved beverage continues to reach consumers globally.