Starbucks Raises Prices in 12 Chinese Cities

In recent weeks, customers in a dozen Chinese cities have noticed their Starbucks bills creeping up — again. This time, the price of five popular drinks went up by 2 yuan each, sparking complaints online. With global coffee prices falling, many are questioning the timing and justification behind the increase.

Starbucks raised prices for five basic beverages — including lattes, cappuccinos, and caramel macchiatos — by 2 yuan in 12 Chinese cities starting November 6. Guangzhou was not included in this round of price hikes. The chain currently operates around 700 stores across mainland China.

Which Cities Saw Price Increases?

The 2-yuan price adjustment affected customers in Tianjin, Dalian, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and nine other cities. The increase applied to five of Starbucks’ most commonly ordered drinks: latte, vanilla latte, cappuccino, mocha, and caramel macchiato. This follows a similar 1–2 yuan price rise earlier in 2022, also blamed on rising operational costs.

Why Are Prices Going Up Now?

Despite the price hike, Starbucks has not raised prices in Guangzhou. Industry observers note that the increase comes at a time when international coffee bean prices — especially for arabica — are falling significantly. Global arabica production is forecast to rise 9.3% for the 2022–2023 season, and futures prices have dropped 33% over the year. Robusta beans, mainly grown in Asia and Africa, have also seen a 12% decline in London trading since late September.

How Are Consumers Reacting?

Online reactions have been swift and critical. Many customers took to social media to express frustration, with some comparing Starbucks prices to cheaper options found in airports in Thailand and Hong Kong. One widely shared post even offered a “money-saving tip”: bringing your own cup to get a 2-yuan discount. The price hikes have renewed debate over whether Starbucks’s pricing strategy matches its value proposition in the Chinese market.

What’s Behind Starbucks’s Pricing Power?

Starbucks’s financial results suggest strong performance despite global cost trends. The company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter profits, with full-year 2022 net revenue hitting a record $13.3 billion. Sales in China alone grew 52% year-on-year. During its earnings call, executives noted that falling commodity prices could save the company around $100 million in the coming fiscal year. Analysts suggest the chain’s pricing confidence stems from limited competition in China’s premium coffee segment, where few rivals match its brand positioning.

What About Coffee Production in China?

Interestingly, coffee prices are also falling at the source. In Yunnan, China’s key coffee-growing region and the site of Starbucks’s first global coffee farm, local farmers have seen yields rise but prices fall by a third this year. A researcher from the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences confirmed that market conditions for local growers remain challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cities had a Starbucks price increase in November 2022?

Twelve Chinese cities saw a 2-yuan price hike on five basic drinks: Tianjin, Dalian, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, and others. Guangzhou was not included in the price adjustment.

How much did Starbucks drinks go up in price?

Five basic beverages — including lattes, cappuccinos, and caramel macchiatos — increased by 2 yuan each in the affected cities. This is the second price hike in China for some of these drinks in 2022.

Why did Starbucks raise prices when coffee bean costs are falling?

Though global arabica and robusta coffee bean prices have dropped significantly in 2022, Starbucks cited previous cost pressures. The company maintains pricing power due to limited competition in China’s premium coffee market.

Are Starbucks prices higher in China than in other countries?

Many customers report that Starbucks drinks in China are more expensive than in places like Thailand or Hong Kong. Social media posts have highlighted cheaper options available at international airports outside mainland China.

Did the price hike affect all Starbucks locations in China?

No, the 2-yuan increase applied only to 12 cities. Guangzhou was not part of this round of price adjustments, and not all drinks were affected.

How is the Yunnan coffee market responding to lower prices?

Yunnan coffee growers have experienced a third drop in local prices despite increased yields. Researchers confirm that market conditions for domestic producers remain difficult, even as global prices decline.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Specialty Brewing

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit complexity — both ideal for exploring fine single-origin profiles beyond mass-market blends. For a deeper experience, their PWN Golden Mandheling delivers classic Indonesian body with mild spice and chocolate undertones. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.