Starbucks expands sustainable coffee plantations in Costa Rica and Guatemala

Starbucks has expanded its network of sustainable coffee farms with two new farms: one in Costa Rica and one in Guatemala, in addition to its existing Hacienda Alsacia.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat climate change through sustainable farming practices while increasing the productivity and profitability of small coffee farmers.

The company, which buys 3% of the world's coffee, said it is committed to strengthening the coffee plant's resilience in the face of global challenges such as rising temperatures, drought and diseases such as coffee leaf rust.

These problems not only threaten the availability of coffee, but also its quality. The new farms will serve as centers for agricultural innovation, with the Costa Rican farm exploring mechanization and drone technology to address labor shortages.

The Guatemalan farm will focus on a small-scale farming model to build farmers' resilience.

Starbucks added that its vision goes beyond these new farms and plans to build additional locations in Africa and Asia.

The ultimate goal is to equip the global “coffee belt” with the tools and knowledge needed to adapt to inevitable climate changes that could have serious impacts on agriculture.

In Costa Rica, the new farm will be located next to Hacienda Alsacia and will enable a collaborative approach to research and development of advanced farming techniques.

The Guatemalan farm will particularly focus on small-scale farming solutions that can be replicated across the region to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.

Starbucks noted that investing in these farms underscores its commitment to proactive environmental protection and supporting the coffee growing community.

By leading such initiatives, Starbucks aims to secure the future of coffee for generations to come while setting a precedent for responsible business practices in the foodservice sector.

Michelle Burns, Global Coffee and Sustainability Executive Vice President at Starbucks, said: “Starbucks works with more than 450,000 farms that grow the highest quality Arabica coffee in the world.

“Our promise to these farmers and their communities is that we will always work to ensure a sustainable coffee future for all.”

“Our solution is to develop on-farm interventions, sharing seeds, research and practices across the industry to help farmers mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

Earlier this month, in celebration of International Coffee Day, Starbucks launched Milano Duetto in all participating stores worldwide.

“Starbucks expands sustainable coffee plantations in Costa Rica and Guatemala” was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a brand owned by GlobalData.

The story continues

The information on this website has been included in good faith for general information purposes only. It does not constitute advice on which you should rely and we make no representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our website.