Coffee drinkers are warned we are heading for a global shortage of the energy inducing beans, as increasing demand could make supplies dry out.

If current consumption rates continue, coffee supplies will need to quadruple just to keep up with demand - according to Andrea Illy, chief executive of popular Italian roaster Illycafe.

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Mr Illy told Bloomberg the growing number of coffee drinkers in developing economies is causing increasing pressure, and a crisis is brewing.

Global production will need to rise by an extra 40 million, to 50 million bags, in the next decade just to keep up with demand - more than the entire crop of Brazil.

The problem is worsened by the threat of climate change and low prices, with could discourage farmers from increasing their input.

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Costa barristers are now paid above the new National Living Wage. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Mr Illy added: "Sooner or later, in months or years, we’ll have to make a bold decision about what to do.

“We don’t know where this coffee will come from."

Meanwhile last month Whitbread, the company which owns Premier Inn and Costa Coffee, warned it will have to hike prices as it faces a "substantial" hit from staff pay increases.

Coffee chain Costa increased staff wages at the start of this month - the company now pays £7.40-an-hour to fully trained staff outside London, and £8.20-an-hour in the Capital.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES:

Get your coffee hit in south east London, and support local  roasteries:

1. London Coffee Roasters - Charlton

2. Dark Fluid - Brockley Market

3. The Drury Tea and Coffee Company - Woolwich

4. Black Craft Coffee - Crystal Palace