If your morning coffee has been feeling suspiciously expensive lately, that’s because it is.
New research by the Consumentenbond (Dutch consumers’ association) shows that the average price of supermarket coffee has shot up by a whopping 74% over the past five years.
But what does that really mean for your wallet? Let’s break it down.
Here’s how much you’re paying per cup
The Consumentenbond compared prices across filter coffee, coffee beans, pods, and Nespresso capsules between April 2021 and April 2026.
Coffee beans were the most expensive, with the cost per cup doubling from €0.09 to €0.18. Meanwhile, the cost of pods rose by 78% (from €0.09 to €0.16 per cup), and filter coffee climbed 70% (from €0.10 to €0.17).
Although Nespresso capsules saw the smallest increase (at 46%), they’re still the priciest option surveyed, at €0.38 per capsule on average.
How to pay less for your coffee
Of course, the Consumentenbond report isn’t just doom and gloom. Depending on where and what you buy, there are several actionable tips to avoid overpaying for your cup of joe.
1. Switch to house brands
Store-brand coffee is on average 33% cheaper than premium labels, and some budget options cost less than half the price of their branded equivalents.
According to the report, the cheapest options currently available bring the cost per cup down to around €0.04–€0.09 for filter coffee, €0.08 for beans, €0.09 for pods, and €0.17–€0.22 for Nespresso-compatible capsules.
2. Pick the right supermarket
For premium coffee brands, Nettorama, Dirk, and Vomar offer you the best deal, with prices 5% below average.
READ MORE | Cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide in 2026
Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus are all near the average, while Spar is the most expensive option at 8% above average.
3. Head to a drugstore
The Consumentenbond notes that Kruidvat and Trekpleister often stock premium brands like Douwe Egberts and L’Or at much lower prices than popular supermarkets.
As of May 20, a 500g bag of Douwe Egberts Aroma Rood beans costs €8.69 at Kruidvat… versus a steep €10.99 for the same bag at Albert Heijn.
Why has coffee become so expensive?
Unfortunately, it isn’t just a single factor driving prices up.
Harvests have been poor in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam, with extreme drought and heavy rainfall resulting in much lower yields.
Closer to home, higher costs for labour, energy, and transport in the Netherlands have pushed coffee prices up even further.
New EU sustainability requirements, which require producers to invest in greener cultivation and fairer working conditions, have also added to costs.
Have you adjusted your coffee-buying habits? Let us know in the comments below!
