By Charlotte Tonkin
Coffee drinkers are about to be hit in the pocket come October 1, and it's not just because of the rise in GST.
The cost of coffee beans has jumped, and cafes say they can no longer absorb the costs - which means they are being passed on to caffeine consumers.
Wellington's Caffe l'Affare is one of the capital's most popular cafes. It's hoping customers will remain loyal when it hikes its prices in October.
Every cup of coffee will cost an extra 50c, so a flat white will go from $3.50 to $4.
"We knew we were going to have to do it," says Jessica Godfrey, marketing manager. "It felt like people would understand a small increase - we're afraid it can't be a small increase."
The cost of coffee beans is at a 13-year high. In the past year, the price of beans has increased, on average, 35 percent.
Ms Godfrey says to keep prices the same would mean lowering the quality of coffee.
"We don't want companies to have to look at lower grade coffee," says Ms Godfrey. "We want to keep the quality really high. We want an industry we can be proud of."
Another Wellington cafe, Midnight Espresso, is proudly not raising its prices - even with the rise in GST. So a flat white will still be $3.50.
"Coffee is what this business relies on," says Sheryn-May Kirk. "It's its primary source - customers come in expecting really low prices and that's what we're going to give them."
In Auckland Richard Goatley already charges $4 for a double shot flat white. He won't put up his prices in October - he'll wait until January, then it will cost $4.20 – a rise of 5 percent.
"We have grown accustomed to a fab cafe culture, and we've had it at discount prices for a long time."
Student Lauren Hooper says she'll still buy a cafe coffee most days, despite the price increase.
"I think it's something I'd definitely notice, but I'd still pay for it. There's no substitute for coffee."
And here it's hoped there's also no substitute for Caffe l'Affare.
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