Starbucks made a recent announcement stating that they have successfully developed six new varieties of coffee seeds that are resistant to the effects of climate change. This breakthrough is seen as crucial for the future of coffee.
In the United States alone, people consume approximately 517 million cups of coffee daily, with the average American drinking three cups per day on average. However, the coffee industry, like many other crops, is facing serious threats due to the climate crisis, including diseases, droughts, and extreme weather conditions.
The majority of global coffee production comes from the arabica and robusta species. Arabica beans account for approximately 70% of coffee production and are more popular due to their smoother flavor, lower acidity, and fruity undertones. Starbucks exclusively uses arabica beans in their nearly 37,000 locations worldwide source. However, arabica is highly sensitive to rising temperatures, making it susceptible to premature ripening and crop loss.
Sarada Krishnan, a coffee scientist and grower, stresses the importance of developing climate-resilient coffee varieties. While arabica is vulnerable to diseases like coffee leaf rust in warmer and wetter conditions, the robusta bean is more heat-resistant and easier to grow. Smallholder farmers bear the brunt of these challenges, as they can lose their entire year’s income if their crops are affected.
Starbucks has been diligently working on cultivating arabica seeds that are resistant to coffee leaf rust. Through extensive testing and monitoring, they have managed to develop seeds that yield higher quantities of coffee in a shorter period of time. The company’s commitment to the future of coffee extends beyond its own needs, as they are freely distributing these climate-resilient coffee tree varieties to farmers, who are allowed to sell the resulting crop to buyers other than Starbucks.
A representative from Starbucks emphasized their dedication to the entire coffee supply chain and the individuals involved in the process. They believe it is their responsibility to care for and support everyone from the coffee bean farmers to the consumers.
Over the past five years, Starbucks has given away three million climate-resistant seeds annually, developed by various organizations, to farmers in Costa Rica, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. This comes in addition to their ongoing purchases from around 400,000 farmers in 30 countries.
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