The United States is experiencing a growing trend of coffee theft, particularly involving truckloads of unroasted green coffee beans. This surge in theft is directly linked to record-high coffee prices over the past year. The issue was a key topic at the National Coffee Association’s annual conference last weekend.
As the world’s largest coffee consumer, the U.S. relies entirely on imports, with shipments transported from ports to roasting plants via trucks. According to logistics companies, the rising number of theft incidents is becoming a serious concern.
Organized Crime Behind Coffee Heists
Todd Costly, a logistics sales coordinator at Hartley Transportation in Pembroke, New Hampshire, stated that more than a dozen thefts were reported last year, a sharp increase from previous years.
In January, armed robbers stole 500 bags of coffee from a farm in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. The stolen coffee was worth approximately $230,000.
These thefts are often highly organized. Criminal groups pose as legitimate transportation companies to secure small contracts from importers, offering lower costs or expedited delivery to gain their trust. Once the coffee is loaded onto trucks, the vehicles and shipments vanish without a trace.
High Value Makes Coffee a Prime Target
Each truck carries around 44,000 pounds (19,958 kg) of green coffee beans, valued at approximately $180,000. Many believe these criminal networks resell the stolen coffee to small roasters struggling with soaring prices.
To combat theft, some importers have started installing tracking devices in coffee bags to ensure shipment security.