Experts warn that coffee prices in the United States could climb even higher if the US government imposes trade measures against Nicaragua in response to President Daniel Ortega's suspension of elections and single-party political system. Nicaragua is a major coffee exporter, and the US is its largest customer, accounting for 35% of Nicaragua's total coffee exports. Any import restrictions or tariff hikes would therefore hit both Nicaraguan farmers and the US coffee market, where supply is already tight. Currently, US retail coffee prices are near their highest level in almost a decade, averaging 9.45 US dollars per pound in June. With roughly two in three Americans drinking coffee every day, coffee prices have become a politically sensitive issue ahead of the midterm elections, and the National Coffee Association of the USA is pushing for coffee to be exempted from trade restriction measures.