Coffee is at the heart of Starbucks. Every cup begins with farmers whose livelihoods depend on healthy, productive coffee trees. As climate change reshapes growing conditions through rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and increased pest and disease pressure, farmers need stronger, more resilient varieties to help keep their farms productive for the long term.
Starbucks has reached a major milestone in its work to support the future of high-quality arabica coffee: donating 100 million coffee trees grown from varieties selected for their performance in climate-adverse conditions. Beginning in 2017, Starbucks began donating trees to farmers in El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. Starbucks is also committing to donating an additional 50 million to farms in strategic origins such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Honduras, among others, while continuing to support farmers in El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.
A milestone years in the making
Starbucks set the goal in 2017 to donate 100 million trees to help smallholder coffee farmers renovate aging or disease-prone plots and improve the productivity of their farms. Many of the trees donated draw on research advanced at Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks global research and development farm in Costa Rica. There, agronomists study hundreds of hybrids and varieties along with soil health, plant nutrition and disease tolerance to help farmers adapt to the realities of a changing climate.
This effort would not be possible without nearly three decades of partnership with Conservation International. As a partner in this work, Conservation International helps integrate environmental and social safeguards into the program, from helping to protect forests to promoting shade management and upholding farmer rights. Throughout the life of the initiative, the organization engages directly with farmers, nursery providers and supplier partners to confirm that farmers received high quality seedlings and that safeguards are understood and respected. This monitoring helps ensure the approach stayed responsive to farmer needs and delivers meaningful benefits across the supply chain.
“With climate change threatening the future of coffee, building resilient farming systems has never been more urgent. Supporting farmers as they adapt to changing conditions can help them and their land stay productive while protecting vital ecosystems,” said Raina Lang, Conservation International’s Senior Director of Sustainable Coffee. “Cross-sector collaboration between business, NGOs and communities is the future of conservation, as it can lead to positive outcomes for climate, people and livelihoods.”
How these trees make a difference
Healthy coffee trees can help support a family’s livelihood for decades when matched to the growing conditions of its region. Many farmers still rely on trees that struggle under climate pressure or are susceptible to diseases like coffee leaf rust. Replanting with stronger varieties can give farmers a foundation for more stable production over time, especially when tree replanting is paired with agronomy support and access to financing.
One of the ways Starbucks expands access to financing is through the Global Farmer Fund. Last year, the company reached its 2025 goal to provide $100 million in financing to smallholder farmers around the world.
The fund partners with non-governmental organizations, fund fund managers and financial institutions to help farmers access capital for farm renovation, infrastructure improvements and greater financial stability. Many loan recipients also receive technical assistance in agronomy best practices business planning and price risk management. They may also receive training in management skills and understanding climate risks, followed by support to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. These advisory services aim to benefit farmers long after the loan is paid.
These gains help extend the viability of coffee production in regions experiencing climate stress and strengthen the long-term resilience of the global coffee supply.
Looking ahead: 50 million more trees
Reaching the 100 million milestone is an important step, but it is not the end of the journey. The additional 50 million coffee trees Starbucks will donate in the next phase builds on the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible sourcing and on-farm innovation while supporting the Back to Starbucks focus on quality and craft.
“The future of coffee depends on action,” said Ricardo Arias-Nath, senior vice president, Global Coffee & Tea, and president, Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are investing in farmers, protecting coffee landscapes and scaling solutions that help strengthen resilience across our supply chain. When we lead with purpose, we help support the future of coffee for everyone.”
Supporting the future of high-quality arabica coffee also supports the future of Starbucks and the communities that grow it. With 100 million trees already in the ground and 50 million more to come, Starbucks is working with farmers to strengthen climate resilience, improve productivity and help ensure that high-quality arabica remains available for years to come.
