Some Middle Tennessee businesses could feel the effect of tariffs on imported coffee

Yahoo

09-04-2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Area businesses could feel the impacts of new, sweeping tariffs from President Donald Trump's administration. The latest tariffs include a massive 104% levy on Chinese imports scheduled to kick in after midnight.
Among the tariffs is a proposed 104% levy on Chinese imports, which could affect the cost of everyday items. Rising costs mean possible issues for one Davidson County business.
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It's a habit a lot of us don't want to live without: a daily cup of coffee.'I drink a little too much coffee every day,' Jacob Walker, coffee drinker, said.
However, a cup could cost you more in the weeks and months to come. Last week, the Trump administration announced a 46% tariff on imports from Vietnam, including coffee. South American coffee growers like Columbia and Brazil also have a 10% tariff in place. Dritan Olli, the owner of Momento Specialty Coffee in Hermitage, said he's already been dealing with inflated prices for months.
'We do our price resolution every year — every January,' Olli said. 'If I compare to the last January, this January was about a 15% increase on every good we buy. With coffee around 20%.'
The business sits on Lebanon Pike and serves around 250 customers daily and even more on the weekends. Now, the business owner said he's braced for brewing challenges as his supplier is based in the United Kingdom.'By the end of the year, we're going to lose around $15,000,' said Olli. 'It's hard. We'll try to keep our prices the same for a little bit until we can't handle that.'
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that in 2023, about 80% of unroasted coffee imports came from Latin America. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the average price for 100% ground roast coffee was $7.25 per pound. In 2020, that price was just $4.25 per pound.
With looming tariffs, some coffee drinkers said they would still pay a steeper price.
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'It's just a luxury that I love. It's part of my day that I enjoy, so I will,' Tori Patton, who frequents Momento Specialty Coffee, said.
Olli said with people more likely to support small businesses, it helps alleviate some of the fear of losing customers.'We've been here two and a half years now,' Olli said. 'People are supporting more local than before and it's helpful on our side.'
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