News Summary
Local coffee roasters in Shreveport are experiencing significant cost increases due to tariffs and inflation, leading to potential price hikes for popular coffee selections. Business owners like Peter Lyons and Steve Culp are adapting their strategies to navigate the economic challenges, including reevaluating pricing and sourcing options. The community’s coffee culture relies heavily on these small businesses to innovate and maintain customer satisfaction amid rising operational costs.
Shreveport’s Coffee Roasters Face Rising Costs
Shreveport, Louisiana – Local coffee roasters are grappling with significant price increases due to new tariffs and ongoing inflation, posing challenges for small businesses in the vibrant coffee sector. As of July 24, 2025, a considerable rise in costs could potentially double prices for several popular coffee selections.
Peter Lyons, owner of Lyons’ Pride Coffee, specializes in roasting coffee beans and has a diverse background in the industry, having worked with entities like Whole Foods Market and Starbucks. He recently reported that a 1,000-pound order of coffee beans cost over $5,500, sharply rising from $2,300 just two months prior. Such increases have prompted Lyons to reevaluate his business strategy, potentially shifting the focus from roasting to offering coffee classes designed to improve customers’ brewing skills regardless of the coffee quality they use.
Another local coffee entrepreneur, Steve Culp, who manages Rhino Coffee, is also affected by the tariff situation. While his current operations are insulated due to locked-in prices from previous contracts for green coffee beans, he faces unprotected prices starting in 2026, leading him to consider options for lowering costs. This may include adjusting prices, changing vendors, or sourcing coffee from areas with lower tariffs.
Donna Anderson, owner of Special Reserve Coffee Roasters, faces her own set of challenges that compound the issue. Drought conditions, inflation, and adherence to fair trade practices, which can preclude securing cheaper coffee options, are driving her prices upward as well. Anderson anticipates that her coffee prices could increase from $14-$16 to $17-$18 per bag due to the external pressures she faces.
The Impact of Tariffs
The looming tariffs stem from a threat by President Donald Trump to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. Additionally, the Colombian coffee market is already facing a 10% baseline tariff, with potential for further increases. Lyons has expressed confusion regarding the rationale behind applying tariffs to coffee, a product that cannot be sufficiently cultivated in most parts of the U.S., except for Hawaii.
Given the fluctuating nature of tariffs and potential impacts on prices, Lyons is adopting a strategic approach to manage his business’s future. He is particularly interested in social issues, aiming to hire individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and blindness to assist in brewing coffee, in partnership with local organizations for training. He envisions opening his own roastery soon and offering private roasting classes as part of his mission to foster community connections through coffee.
Community Resilience
The current landscape illustrates the necessity for Shreveport coffee roasters to adapt to these economic challenges. Each business is actively exploring ways to maintain viability and customer satisfaction amid costs that are rising rapidly. The local coffee culture, characterized by a community atmosphere, relies heavily on the collaboration and innovation of these small businesses to thrive. As roasters navigate the complexities of tariffs and inflation, a focus on educational offerings and unique community engagements may provide some relief from the pressures of the market.
In summary, the coffee industry in Shreveport faces a tumultuous period fueled by external economic factors. The ability of local roasters like Lyons, Culp, and Anderson to effectively respond to these challenges will determine not only their business success but also the continued vitality of the community they serve.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- Wikipedia: Coffee
- B.E.Bossier
- Google Search: Coffee Prices
- Shreveport Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coffee
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
