Record coffee prices and sustainability investments push Peter Larsen Coffee into the red

The Danish coffee roaster has ringfenced sustainability investments despite higher green coffee and certification costs impacting profitability  

Denmark’s Peter Larsen Kaffe has posted an annual loss amid record-high green coffee prices, higher certification costs and investments in several sustainability initiatives. 

The Danish coffee roaster, which produces packaged wholebean, ground, instant and ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, posted a DKK3.4m ($509,000) loss before tax for the 12 months ended 31 December 2024. The sustainability-focused business also reported production and capacity expansion costs as negatively impacting profitability. 

“The financial result must be seen in the light of the historically unstable coffee market, which has not been seen in more than 60 years. We continue to experience great uncertainty and rising prices for green coffee, which makes it difficult to navigate for a company of our size. Our focus on sustainable initiatives is an investment that we do not want to compromise on. It costs money, but it is necessary if we are to secure coffee in the future,” said CEO Claus Bertelsen. 

In April 2024, Bertelsen warned consumers that they would likely face higher prices for Peter Larsen Kaffe products amid rising certification costs for its sustainability initiatives and record-high green coffee prices. 

Within the last 12 months, Viborg-based Peter Larsen Kaffe has invested an upcycling project with Danish textile firm Amolia, an inclusivity recruitment initiative with social enterprise Blind Coffee, and the GrowGrounds forestry programme, which it runs in partnership with Swedish coffee group Löfbergs. 

Bertelsen will step down as CEO of Peter Larsen Kaffe at the end of July 2025 as part of the deal, which sees Karlstad-based Löfbergs take full ownership of the brand. He has served as CEO since 2004.