Coffee lovers may soon feel the pinch: in 2021, global coffee prices rose 21.6% to their highest level in four years. But why the coffee shortage now? The answer lies in Brazil, the world's largest exporter of bitter beans. [Brazil has been hit by a considerable drought this year throughout the usual rainy season. The crisis was first reported by Bloomberg in May, but since then, frost has hit the country and many companies are feeling the strain of further shipments. During the drought, some of the largest coffee plantations on the planet received less than half the rainfall expected in previous years, dramatically reducing this season's harvest.

While not all coffee was affected, Arabica coffee was the most widely affected crop, and is the type of coffee that brands like Starbucks typically purchase. This means that many coffee roasters and cafes along the supply chain are feeling the strain.

Roasters pay more for wholesale beans before distributing them to coffee shops and brands. At this point, price increases are negligible for consumers. However, rising costs could begin to seriously threaten the smaller cafes and roasters in the middle.

Coffee is not the only commodity feeling the strain of the past two years. Supply chain problems have also made common grocery items difficult to obtain. Ben & Jerry's ice cream, diapers, toilet paper, and chicken have faced shipping and labor difficulties as well. [9] [10] If you are looking for an affordable drip pot, we have a list of the best Cuisinart coffee makers. Or check out the best Keurigs on the market right now. Also, for this year's Black Friday coffeemaker deals, we've prepared all the cheapest coffeemakers you'll see on sale in November.