That cup of coffee is going to cost you more
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Posted: 16 December 2010 0928 hrs
SINGAPORE - Enjoying your cup of coffee at a neighbourhood store could cost more in the coming months, with prices of some brews going up by some 15 per cent.
Ya Kun Kaya Toast, which runs 37 outlets islandwide, will increase prices by 20 cents this month.
The chain last increased prices in February 2008 and described its latest price revision as "inevitable". "Operating costs and raw materials costs have been steadily increasing," said a Ya Kun spokesperson in response to MediaCorp's queries.
Meanwhile, chain-operator Killiney Kopitiam said raw material costs - including sugar and coffee powder - have seen "a significant increase of 60 per cent and above". But Killiney, which has 26 outlets, has no plans to raise coffee prices just yet.
High-end cafes Starbucks and Spinelli, too, are also keeping close tabs on soaring commodity prices, while maintaining their prices for now.
Global coffee bean prices rose sharply last month with the monthly average of a composite indicator hitting 173.90 US cents (S$2.2866) per pound compared to 161.56 US cents in October, according to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
"This November monthly average was the highest recorded since May 1997," the ICO added in its monthly report.
Industry observers expect bean prices to continue rising in the coming months. They cited adverse weather conditions that have affected harvests in Indonesia, Vietnam, Colombia and some Central American countries.
Locally, rising utilities, rental and manpower costs have hit smaller retailers hard, said chairman of the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar-Owners Association Thomas Foo. He said some members have told him they are likely to increase prices. While the association does not set pricing guidelines for its 300 members, Mr Foo expects some to raise coffee prices by 10 to 20 cents before February's Chinese New Year.
But small retailers in heartland markets appeared wary of higher prices for fear of driving their customers away. "Increasing by even five cents is also troublesome as we will have to keep five cent coins for change," said one retailer.
Toa Payoh stallholder Richard Teo makes up for the rising costs by trying to sell more drinks. "But if our costs keep rising, increasing prices may be the only way for us to survive," said the 46-year-old.
Coffee drinkers appeared resigned to paying more for their daily cuppa. Insurance agent Dennis Lim might switch from drinking premium coffee at high-end joints to cheaper alternatives if prices go up steeply. "We don't have much choice. We need drinks to go with our food when eating out," said the 40-year-old.
- TODAY/il -
Kaoz....
Uncle Kopi Jik Puay. Put $1 on the table.
Si Gin Nah, now $1.20 lah. -
Originally posted by Junyang700:
Kaoz....
Uncle Kopi Jik Puay. Put $1 on the table.
Si Gin Nah, now $1.20 lah.haha..
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Drink Plain Water
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Originally posted by Mr Milo:
Drink Plain Water
drink milo.
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ucc!
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still prefer the good old hainanese kopi tiam...kopi-o at less than a dollar
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
drink milo.
haha.. and i tot milo costs more?
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Originally posted by Junyang700:
haha.. and i tot milo costs more?
not for Mr Milo.
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My office canteen not yet raise.
Nvm, Nuffnang income can cover all the increases
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What is our toothless tiger CASE doing? They should at least bark if they can't roar.
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
What is our toothless tiger CASE doing? They should at least bark if they can’t roar.
may be they don't drink coffee.
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
What is our toothless tiger CASE doing? They should at least bark if they can’t roar.
???bark???
I think they got "kopi money"...
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Why would CASE even come into picture?
They put the price out, pay or not is your own decision mah...
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Originally posted by eagle:
Why would CASE even come into picture?
They put the price out, pay or not is your own decision mah...
no idea... the ball is not in CASE's court... but I just made a comment for funMaybe we shld have a "Kopitiam Association" which is chaired by 13 ah pek from different kopitiam~
Then meeting all jiak loti, drink kopi, count money...
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Maybe already doing that liao
Don't you remember seeing uncles in kopitiams jiak loti drink kopi?
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true true...
Actually hor, they raise price, but no ISO certification... No sample...
Also dunno if the tea leave comes from cameron highland anot...
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I'm craving for soya bean milk....
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
not for Mr Milo.
just pluck from the body.
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
???bark???
I think they got "kopi money"...
Every 20 cents increase, every 20 cents down for them. Haha....
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i predict vacuum mugs sales will increase this christmas. more with buy and make hot coffee on their own go coffee shop order bread white without butter colstoarge guyew karya bring their own guyew and karya and buar, like the old man buaying his subordinates guyew
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Originally posted by eagle:
Why would CASE even come into picture?
They put the price out, pay or not is your own decision mah...
Why would you complain if the bus company raise it price for busfare? You can alway don't take the bus. The decision is yours mahWhy would you complain if the SMRT raise its price for the fare? You can always don't take the mrt. The decision is yours mah
Why would you....
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Originally posted by SevenEleven:
Why would you complain if the bus company raise it price for busfare? You can alway don't take the bus. The decision is yours mahWhy would you complain if the SMRT raise its price for the fare? You can always don't take the mrt. The decision is yours mah
Why would you....
Huh? You are comparing transport monopolies with ultra high barrier to entry vs F&B industry which has low barrier to entry????
It's very weird; pardon me for your post confounds my layman mind. You must be an elite!
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Lucky my milo peng and milo gao no increase price.