Coffee is a hot commodity these days. With so much competition among coffee roasters and suppliers, as a new café owner choosing the right wholesale supplier can make all the difference between making money and losing money.

Buying wholesale coffee can seem like a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be. Wholesale coffee suppliers come in different shapes and sizes. There are many things you need to consider before making your final decision on who to buy from. In this article, we will cover the top things you should look for when choosing a coffee supplier.

Look For Reputable Coffee Roasters

Choosing a reputable company is key when buying wholesale coffee beans. There are plenty of coffee companies that may not provide the service and training that you require when starting out in the business.

When shopping around for wholesale coffee beans, look for companies that have been in business for years and have a solid reputation.

Know What You Want

Buying from a wholesale coffee supplier can be an exciting venture if you know what you want. If you are new to the world of wholesale coffee, there are a few things you should know about the types of coffees and the coffee roasting process. First, you need to understand that coffee is a commodity. 

It is produced in a certain way and by certain people. Each country has their own coffee growing patterns and methods, which means that you will not be able to find coffee from the same growing region that you are used to. But that doesn’t mean that the coffee is bad; it is just different.

Harvesting, roasting, and packaging are all done differently and have different flavours. 

Knowing this will help you decide if it is worth digging a little deeper to find some of the same coffee that you are used to.

Shop Around

You may think that you only need to shop around within your local area, but you actually need to go nationwide. Many high quality Melbourne coffee wholesalers such as Code Black Coffee sell coffee beans Australia-wide, so you shouldn't just stick to your local area or city.

Do Your Research

Wholesale coffee suppliers come in all shapes and sizes; you need to research potential suppliers thoroughly to make sure that you choose the best one for you.

Check Out Their Website

Checking out a company's website before purchasing wholesale coffee beans is a smart move. Not only does it give you a chance to learn more about the company, but it also gives you a chance to see how well they do at customer service.

You can also reach out to other wholesale suppliers to ask them questions. Keep in mind that they may be able to give you more insight into the company than the company itself. Another thing that you should keep in mind, is that not all wholesale suppliers are created equal. Some may have great products, but they may not have a strong enough online presence to get you the help and attention that you need when you need it.

You may even have to do some legwork to get in contact with them. This is especially important if you are just starting out. You can’t afford to waste time or money on suppliers who aren’t going to be able to help you grow your business.

Talk to Fellow Café Owners

There are many ways that you can learn about local coffee roasters. You can also talk to other coffee shops or café owners who may have experience with different companies. Get in touch with other café owners on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Reddit and ask them to be your mentee in choosing a wholesale coffee roaster.

They can help you understand the industry, find new suppliers, and get to know the people in the industry. Another way that you can talk to wholesale coffee importers is to attend local trade shows, coffee expos, or other networking events. You can also look for Wholesale Coffee importers on Meetup. 

At these events, you can meet other people and discuss the different things that you should be looking for in a wholesale coffee supplier. You can also ask the people who are there for advice on different things that you don’t understand, like the process of importing wholesale coffee.

Doing your homework will ensure that you find the best wholesale coffee supplier possible.

Ask the Right Questions

When talking to potential wholesale coffee suppliers, you should ask them a few questions about their company. This can help you to get a better idea of their company, their products, and their customer service. 

• What are their public online reviews like?
• What other cafes or businesses do they supply or have done business with? 
• What kinds of questions do you expect to get from your customers? 
• What are their shipping rates and delivery times?
• How big is your customer base?
• How many years of experience do you have in the coffee industry?
• Do they import coffee beans themselves or how do they source your coffee?
• Do they have all of the certifications you need? 
• What are the terms of their wholesale coffee agreements? 
• What kind of training do they provide?
• Do they supply or lease coffee-making equipment?
• Do they offer barista training?
  

Ask About Pricing

Pricing is another big consideration when deciding on a wholesale coffee supplier. While most companies charge similar prices, some may charge higher prices than others. Be sure to ask about pricing before committing to buy wholesale coffee beans.

Conclusion

Choosing a wholesale coffee supplier can be confusing, but with the right research and knowledge, you can choose the best one for your coffee shop. When choosing a wholesale coffee supplier, it’s important to keep these tips in mind so you can make an informed decision. Remember, it’s important to find a coffee roaster that fits within your budget, product preferences, and shipping schedule.

Wholesale coffee roasters should also provide you with the training you need to successfully serve their coffee. 

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what to look for when choosing a wholesale coffee supplier.

Want to join the Code Black Coffee family and serve our coffee beans today?