Poland’s coffee prices rise more than 20% as demand holds and whole beans gain ground

Consumers absorb a rise of more than one-fifth

Coffee prices in Poland have risen by more than 20% over the past year, but the increase has not deterred consumers from buying the product. Puls Biznesu reports that Poles treat coffee as an essential purchase and remain prepared to spend more on it. The market is therefore showing resilience despite a sharp increase in the prices charged by roasters.

The response matters for coffee companies because price inflation has not translated into a comparable retreat from the category. Consumers may reconsider brands, formats or preparation methods, but coffee remains firmly embedded in everyday spending. For producers, roasters and retailers, that supports revenue while also raising the importance of product positioning and perceived quality.

Whole beans take share from ground coffee

The composition of Polish demand is changing. Whole-bean coffee is gaining ground, while ground coffee is losing share. The shift suggests that more consumers want greater control over preparation and are willing to buy coffee in a format associated with grinding immediately before brewing. It also creates a clearer distinction between products competing mainly on convenience and those marketed through freshness, origin or the brewing experience.

For roasters, the movement toward whole beans can affect packaging, product ranges and relations with retailers. Sellers must decide how much shelf space to allocate to whole-bean and ground products as their trajectories diverge. Equipment suppliers may also benefit indirectly when households need grinders or machines capable of processing beans. The available source material does not provide market-share figures, so the scale of the shift cannot be quantified, but its direction is clear.

Younger consumers develop a taste for cold brew

A second change is emerging among younger consumers, who are increasingly choosing cold brew. This expands coffee consumption beyond the traditional hot drink and gives companies another format through which to reach customers. It may also broaden the occasions when coffee is consumed, particularly for buyers who prefer a chilled product.

The combination of higher prices and changing preferences presents both protection and competition for market participants. Demand remains strong enough to absorb an annual price increase exceeding one-fifth, yet consumers are not standing still: whole beans are advancing, ground coffee is retreating and cold brew is attracting younger drinkers. Roasters and retailers that rely heavily on conventional ground coffee face pressure to adapt their assortments, while suppliers positioned in beans and cold formats have a stronger route to growth. Poland’s market is not simply accepting more expensive coffee; it is changing what kind of coffee consumers choose and how they prepare it.