Coffee Giant Takes Bold Step to Combat Climate Change
In a move to secure its coffee supply chain, a leading coffee company has acquired two new farms, one in Costa Rica and its first in Guatemala. This strategic investment aims to mitigate the impact of climate change on coffee production, which has been severely affected by rising temperatures, frost, and extreme weather conditions.
The company, which purchases 3% of the world’s coffee, is concerned about the dwindling supply of Arabica beans, which could lead to higher prices for consumers. Over the past five years, consumer coffee prices have surged 18%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Roberto Vega, the company’s vice president of global coffee agronomy, research, and development, and sustainability, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Frosts in Brazil have already reduced volumes by up to 50%, resulting in severe product availability issues, which are becoming more frequent in the Coffee Belt.”
The new farms will serve as research hubs to develop hybrid coffee varieties that can thrive in different elevations and soil conditions. These hybrid plants boast higher productivity and resistance to coffee leaf rust, a fungus that flourishes in warmer temperatures and rainfall.
Vega’s team will also tackle other challenges faced by coffee farmers, such as depleted soil and low productivity. The company’s Guatemalan farm, for instance, is small and struggling, but Starbucks hopes to revitalize it and share its learnings with other farmers.
In Costa Rica, the company plans to leverage technology, including drones and mechanization, to address labor shortages plaguing Latin American farmers. The ultimate goal is to expand its agricultural portfolio across the Coffee Belt, with plans to acquire two more farms in Africa and Asia.
By taking a proactive approach to addressing climate change, the coffee giant aims to ensure a stable supply of high-quality coffee beans, while also supporting the livelihoods of coffee farmers worldwide.
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