explaining point about coffee

Explaining my point about coffee price discrimination in Mexico


So, your point is valid, but I have a point too, let me explain. I am not talking about this from a perspective of not having any experience with what I'm talking about. I came to this conclusion that in Mexico there is price discrimination for some of the same products that are cheaper in the USA. You might say, don't be a fresa, don't buy the same products you would buy in the USA and they won't be more expensive. That would be valid and that is what most people would say.

However, I want to make direct comparisons because I maintain that at least in smaller more rural cities of Mexico outside Distrito Federal, it is sometimes more expensive to get the same product or equivalent product at a supermarket than it is at American supermarkets in the rural Pacific Northwest. I think this is a form of systemic discrimination that results from American companies not wanting to handle regulatory or tax “burdens” like how standing floor fans at Walmart in Mexico vs USA tend to cost more in pesos than dollars when the exchange rate is considered.

 I found this when looking at cafes Mexicanos en grano entero to try to send to my in-laws in Mexico as a thank you for hosting us when we visited. So I put in the codigo postal on Soriana to see if I can get a delivery of some whole bean coffee. They are a family that drinks instant coffee but it's not really because they prefer it, it's mostly a convenience and price thing. I was going to get them a kettle, brewer, scale and coffee grinder too, a whole setup, if there was interest. I probably was looking at a more expensive listing for some reason, some kind of reseller, but I saw Juan Valdez whole beans at something like $15USD a bag. I can no longer find this listing. I was like wow, it's hard to find fresh whole bean coffee in Bahia Banderas. And it seems more expensive than the USA! Therefore I say this on Bluesky. Let's get into why I said this.

 If we compare directly what is available to deliver to my in-laws’ door from the supermarket if I get them coffee in Mexico vs here, it can be seen that it is indeed about $2 USD a bag cheaper in the USA for the same Lavazza product. They have changed the bag color on the USA version but it is the same size and product still.  If we go with Juan Valdez which I consider equivalent to Starbucks Veranda blend as they are both commodity grade Latin American coffee, then the Starbucks comes out a little cheaper.

So, if you are looking at commodity grade supermarket coffee that you can buy in the USA and also Mexico, it is consistently a little bit cheaper in the USA for the same product, and I am correct.

Here is where my point breaks down and you become more valid in thinking I was being ridiculous, but I hope now that you have some context you will agree that my point was valid as well. If you go with the preground Valdez it is a lot cheaper.  Another basis I have for comparison is the coffee from Yema which has all the informational aspects of a single origin coffee on the bag, even though it may not actually be a specialty coffee, for only 99 pesos which is almost unbeatable in the USA if it is really that good. But the really fancy specialty coffee in Mexico that I have been able to find is about the same price as it is in the USA, $17-30 USD a bag.
So ultimately it kind of depends on where you are buying your coffee in Mexico. I think if I am going to send my in-laws coffee in Bahia Banderas it's going to be with Yema.

I think it isstill true that there is some crazy price discrimination against people in Mexico in some areas. Like whole leaf tea for some reason. It is wildly overpriced places in Mexico for the same product sometimes like Harney and sons tea and I don't understand it. Can't all be impuestos. it's like a teabag with earl grey in it is considered that much more luxurious in Mexico maybe? doesn't seem fair to me.