Starbucks is taking important measures to help improve the lives of coffee farmers and protect the environment where they grow their beans.

We’ve examined many issues that farmers face, including economic challenges and environmental concerns. Commitment to Origins™ is our way of helping coffee farmers address these challenges while sustaining their farms, being sensitive to the environment and meeting the highest-quality coffee standards.

Coffee and the importance of sustainability

The coffee industry is made up of two distinct markets: commodity and specialty.

Commodity-grade coffee is traded in a highly competitive market. For the last several years, a global oversupply of this coffee has kept prices depressed. During 2002, these prices reached all-time historic lows.

Prices for specialty-grade coffee (which is the only grade Starbucks® buys) are almost always higher than those commanded by commodity-grade beans. To compare, in fiscal 2002 Starbucks® paid an average price of $1.20 per pound against the commodity average price of $0.40-0.50 per pound. But the specialty market only makes up about 10% of total worldwide green coffee purchases.

At Starbucks®, we are committed to paying fair prices for the coffee we buy. In addition to the higher prices we pay, we help farmers produce the highest-quality coffee beans in the world, in a manner that will sustain their farms and the industry as a whole.

Coffee farming, like any other business, must be economically feasible to ensure long-term sustainability. Starbucks® believes the higher prices we pay helps farmers cover their production costs and better provide for their families. Although our overall purchasing impact may be relatively small, we’ve taken leadership steps to promote environmental and social stewardship in coffee-origin countries.

Coffee sourcing in origin countries

Because our continued success depends upon a long-term supply of quality coffee, Starbucks® has initiated several efforts that encourage coffee sustainability while promoting environmental conservation.

You can read about those efforts by clicking on these links: Sourcing guidelines, Coffee purchasing, Access to credit, Organic coffee, Conservation coffee™

Social investments in origin countries

As part of our ongoing commitment to the people and places where Starbucks® coffee is grown, we’ve established partnerships with international nonprofit organisations that share our sustainability concerns. We also support community projects to improve the well-being of families in coffee-farming regions.

You can read about a few of these efforts by clicking on these links: Starbucks and CARE, Tazo® and Mercy Corps, Other social development projects.

Other CSR-related links

Coffee Purchasing
Coffee Sourcing Guidelines
Conservation Coffee™
Environment Mission Statement
Organic Coffee
Providing Farmers With Access to Credit
Social Development Projects
Starbucks and CARE
Tazo® and Mercy Corps