Imported Coffee Prices are on the Rise

In 2025, the U.S. implemented a 10% blanket tariff on imported goods, including coffee, as part of broader trade measures. While some tariffs were temporarily paused, the baseline 10 percent tariff remains, affecting coffee prices nationwide. This has led to increased costs for coffee roasters, who are likely to pass these expenses onto consumers. Additionally, adverse weather conditions in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador have further strained global coffee supplies, contributing to higher prices.​

With global tariffs, climate-related supply issues, and rising international shipping costs driving up the price of imported coffee, switching to American-grown coffee—especially from Hawaii—makes more sense than ever for consumers who value quality, traceability, and ethical production.

Advantages of Choosing Hawaii-Grown Coffee Now

Tariff Exempt

Hawaii is the only U.S. state with a significant commercial coffee industry, thanks to its tropical climate, volcanic soil, and ideal elevations. Being grown and processed in the U.S., Hawaii-grown coffee is not directly affected by tariffs. Because it’s produced within the United States, it does not face import duties or international trade restrictions like foreign-grown coffee does.

Stable Supply Chain

Grown and processed entirely within the U.S., Hawaii coffee is less vulnerable to international disruptions (e.g., port delays, foreign labor strikes, geopolitical tensions).

Ethical & Transparent Production

U.S. labor and environmental standards ensure fair wages, safe conditions, and sustainable practices—not always guaranteed with imported beans.

Labeling Reform = Honest Coffee

New Hawaii laws are cracking down on deceptive labeling. Hawaii has implemented significant coffee labeling reforms to protect consumers and support local farmers. These changes aim to ensure transparency and authenticity in coffee products labeled with Hawaii geographic names. So, when you buy a package of “Kona Coffee” you get coffee that is actually grown in the Kona region.

Support Local Agriculture

Buying Hawaii-grown coffee helps preserve small farms, local jobs, and an iconic part of U.S. agriculture that's facing economic pressure and land development threats.

Exceptional Flavor

Hawaiian coffees are premium grade, handpicked, and grown in ideal volcanic microclimates. They’re not just “buy-American”—they’re in quality.

Hawaii-Grown Coffee Means Quality for Cost

Hawaii-grown coffee is among the most prized in the world, known for its high quality, unique flavors, and limited production. Hawaii coffee, while U.S.-grown and tariff-exempt, still can't compete directly on price with imported coffee due to higher domestic costs, but with soaring import costs, the price gap is shrinking.

While imported coffee gets more and more expensive, those price hikes don’t result in any added quality
to the product. Hawaii-grown coffee may still cost more, but that difference in price translates to significant distinctions in quality.

Hawaii produces only a small fraction of the world’s coffee, but small farms dominate the industry, with much of the work done by hand (picking, sorting, drying). This artisanal approach boosts quality, but limits volume making the resource more precious.

Being subject to U.S. labor laws, Hawaii-grown coffee is inherently fair trade, including minimum wages far above those in countries like Brazil, Colombia, or Vietnam. U.S. environmental protections and food safety standards also add compliance costs not required in many coffee-exporting nations. Hawaii’s state-run grading system adds costs, but this added level of oversight ensures consistent quality and results in a more reliably premium product.

So, while you may still pay more for Hawaii-grown coffee, you’re paying for quality, scarcity, and ethical production standards, not just beans in a bag. Shifting your coffee habit to Hawaii-grown beans might cost a little more per pound, but it’s an investment in sustainability, quality, and local resilience. There’s never been a better time to make the change to Hawaii-grown.

The Best You Can Get

If you’re going to buy coffee grown in Hawaii, why not choose the best? At Brazen Hazen, we’ve always been ahead of the times- only ever offering 100% Hawaii-grown coffee- no blends, no compromises on quality. We are committed to crafting genuine 100% Kona Coffee, but even there we go a step further. Not only is our coffee 100% Kona, but it’s the top tier of 100% Kona. By selecting only the finest beans, we capture the true quality and essence of authenticity.

Our strict grading requirements relating to bean size, allowance of defects, and strict roasting procedures ensure that only the best beans make it to our customers. If Hawaii-grown is the best you can get, Brazen Hazen aims to be the best of the best.