Hey there, fellow coffee roasters! We're going to bring you a bi-weekly dose of what’s brewing in the coffee world, straight from the folks at San Franciscan Roaster Co. We know you’re busy dialing in that perfect roast, so we’ve sifted through the latest industry buzz to bring you the updates that matter most to your craft. No fluff, no nonsense—just the news you can use to keep your roaster humming and your beans shining. Let’s dive into what’s been happening over the last couple of weeks, as of March 30, 2025.

Coffee Prices Still Climbing—Supply Chain Woes Persist

If you’ve been feeling the pinch in your green bean budget, you’re not alone. Arabica prices have hit a 50-year high, soaring nearly 60% over the past six months. Roasters across the board are grappling with tighter supplies, thanks to a perfect storm of weather challenges in key growing regions like Brazil and Colombia. Droughts and unseasonal rains have shrunk harvests, flipping the market into backwardation—where near-term contracts cost more than future ones. For us roasters, that means holding inventory is pricier, and many are buying smaller batches just to keep the roast schedule on track. Cash-strapped traders are also struggling to move beans from farm to port, adding another layer of complexity.

How are you adapting? We’d love to hear your strategies—drop us a note!

Consumer Costs Creeping Up—But Demand Holds Steady

With green bean prices up, it’s no surprise that roasted coffee costs are following suit. Shops like PT’s Coffee in Topeka are seeing the ripple effect, with owners noting a steady uptick in retail prices over recent months. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics backs this up—coffee’s been on a slow climb for years, but the pace has quickened lately.

The good news? Coffee drinkers aren’t backing down. The National Coffee Association reports that 43% of Americans are opting for specialty coffee, a 20% jump since 2021. That’s a testament to the quality you’re putting out there—your craft is keeping folks hooked, even when their wallets feel the squeeze.

FDA Recall Shakes Up Decaf—Labeling Mishap Hits Home

Here’s a curveball for those of you roasting decaf: the FDA just recalled 692 cases of Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA’s flavored ground coffee after a labeling mix-up. Turns out, what was sold as decaf wasn’t—those beans were fully caffeinated. It’s a Class 2 recall, meaning no serious health risks, but it’s a headache for roasters and retailers who rely on trust. Imagine pulling a late-night roast only to find out your “decaf” is buzzing with caffeine! It’s a reminder to double-check those supply chains and labels—accuracy matters as much as the roast profile.

San Franciscan’s New Roaster: Smurftastic Style Meets Timeless Craft

We’ve got some exciting news from our workshop!

We’ve found an exciting new powdercoat color for our latest display roaster: a vibrant “Smurftastic”—a sleek sky blue with a subtle, color-shifting rainbow metallic that catches the light just right.

With so many choices, your new roaster will not just be a powerhouse of performance, but also a canvas for your creativity.

Thanks to an amazing range of colors we can now powder-coat your roaster in almost any color you can imagine.

Not only do San Franciscan Roasters have a timeless beauty, but they can fit right in with the decor of your coffee shop or roastery.

Whether it’s a bold pop of color or a subtle nod to your brand, this new addition lets you roast in style like never before. Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see how you make it your own!

Takeaway for Your Roastery

It’s a wild ride out there, but that’s nothing new for us coffee folks. Rising costs and supply hiccups are real, yet the love for a great cup keeps the industry buzzing. At San Franciscan Roaster Co., we’re here to help you navigate it all—our machines are built to handle whatever you throw at them, from tight budgets to ambitious roast profiles.

Keep roasting, keep innovating, and let’s ride this wave together. Got thoughts or questions? Hit us up—we’re all in this bean game as a community.

Until next time, keep the fires hot and the coffee flowing!

The San Franciscan Roaster Team