Milan, Mar 8 (LaPresse) – "The 'expensive coffee cup' phenomenon continues in 2025, with the price of a classic espresso at the bar increasing further compared to last year. This trend has been ongoing for some time, to the point that, compared to 2021, the essential Italian coffee break now costs almost 20% more on average."
This is according to a study conducted by the Consumer Training and Research Center (C.R.C.) in collaboration with Assoutenti, which compared coffee prices in bars across Italy's main cities. Data from the Mimit Observatory reveal that "the price of an espresso continues to rise, with the average price in major cities increasing from €1.03 in 2021 to €1.22 in January 2025, a jump of over 19%," explains the C.R.C.
However, prices vary significantly by region: Bolzano remains the city with the most expensive coffee at an average of €1.43, followed by Trento, Pescara, and Trieste at €1.34. On the other hand, Catanzaro is the cheapest, being the only major city where a cup costs less than €1.
Over the last four years, the steepest price increases have been recorded in Pescara (+34%) and Bari (+32%). Even Naples, the world capital of coffee, has seen prices rise by over 32%, with the average price now nearing €1.20, according to the Consumer Training and Research Center.
From a financial perspective, "the rising cost of espresso significantly impacts consumers' wallets," explains Assoutenti. "Having coffee at a bar is a daily habit for millions of Italians, with 6 billion cups served in public venues across Italy each year. This means that total spending on espresso has increased from €6.18 billion per year in 2021 to €7.32 billion today, an increase of €1.14 billion with the same consumption levels."
"The main reasons for the rising coffee prices," says Assoutenti President Gabriele Melluso, "include higher energy costs for businesses and increased raw material prices. The price of Robusta coffee has surged from $1,400 per ton in 2021 to over $5,400 today, while Arabica is now around $3.90 per pound, reaching historic highs. These factors have significantly impacted the cost of coffee in Italy, making espresso more expensive than ever."