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Coffee Theft Surges Amid Rising Prices in the U.S.

In February, the price of coffee reached unprecedented levels in the United States, with coffee futures climbing by 6% in a single day on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to exceed $4.30 per pound. This sharp increase in cost has sparked a notable rise in coffee theft, with criminals stealing beans in large quantities.

Todd Costley, a logistics sales coordinator for Hartley Transportation, remarked on this worrying trend, highlighting that there have been numerous thefts over the past year, a significant uptick from the past when such incidents were uncommon. According to a report by Reuters, organized criminal groups are impersonating transportation companies to steal coffee beans. These gangs target smaller contracts offered by importers, often presenting themselves with lower rates as bait. The stolen shipments can weigh around 44,000 pounds, translating to approximately $180,000 worth of coffee. Costley noted, “Once they secure the coffee, they vanish without a trace.”

While this trend of coffee theft is relatively new in the United States, it is an ongoing issue in coffee-producing regions globally. In a report published by Bloomberg in 2024, there was an alarming rise in coffee thefts in Uganda, and back in 2017, Fair Planet highlighted an unprecedented number of such thefts occurring in Kenya, also attributed to well-organized criminals.

Reportedly, in Nyeri County, Kenya, the police have noted the sophisticated nature of these thefts, with Jeffrey Kinoti, a local police commander, saying, “The incidents recorded in factories occur with alarming speed, indicating that the thieves possess specific knowledge of where the coffee berries are stored and how to maneuver quickly through these facilities. Their methods suggest a high level of professionalism.”

Further complicating the situation, countries such as Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest coffee producers, also face significant issues with coffee theft. Often, these thefts take place right after harvest season. In a notable incident this January, thieves managed to steal around $230,000 worth of coffee from a farm in Brazil.

On a more positive note, coffee futures saw a slight decrease, trading around $4 per pound on a recent Wednesday. However, forecasts indicate that adverse weather conditions, including a drought followed by heavy rainfall in Brazil and Vietnam, may adversely impact upcoming harvests. Compounding this issue, the demand for coffee continues to escalate rapidly. Data from the National Coffee Association reveals that the percentage of American adults consuming coffee daily has surged by 37% between 2004 and 2024, with no indications of a slowdown.

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