Starbucks has announced that it has donated 100 million coffee trees to farmers, marking a milestone in a programme aimed at strengthening the resilience of global coffee production. The initiative, launched in 2017, focuses on supporting smallholder farmers as climate change alters growing conditions across key coffee regions.
The company said the milestone reflects nearly a decade of investment in developing and distributing coffee tree varieties selected for their ability to perform under climate stress. Starbucks also confirmed plans to donate a further 50 million trees to farms in regions including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Honduras, while continuing support in El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.
Coffee production is facing increasing pressure from rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and the spread of pests and diseases. These factors are affecting yields and the long-term viability of arabica coffee, which is widely used in the global coffee market.
Starbucks’ programme is designed to help farmers replace ageing or disease-prone trees with more resilient varieties. Many of these trees are developed through research conducted at Hacienda Alsacia, the company’s global research and development farm in Costa Rica, where agronomists study hybrids, soil health, plant nutrition and disease resistance.
The company set its original goal in 2017 to donate 100 million trees to support farm renovation and productivity. According to Starbucks, the initiative is intended to provide farmers with planting material better suited to changing environmental conditions, alongside agronomy support and access to finance.
The programme has been developed in partnership with Conservation International, which has worked with Starbucks for nearly three decades. The organisation supports the integration of environmental and social safeguards, including forest protection, shade management and farmer rights.
“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.”
Conservation International also works with farmers, nurseries and supply chain partners to verify that seedlings are delivered and that programme safeguards are understood and applied. This monitoring is intended to ensure that the initiative remains responsive to farmer needs.
Replanting coffee trees is a long-term investment, with productive trees supporting farm income for decades when suited to local conditions. Many smallholder farmers continue to rely on older varieties that are more vulnerable to disease, including coffee leaf rust, which has affected production across Latin America and other regions.
Starbucks links its tree donation programme with financial support through its Global Farmer Fund. The company reported that it reached its 2025 target of providing 100 million dollars in financing to smallholder farmers worldwide.
The fund works with non-governmental organisations, financial institutions and fund managers to provide loans for farm renovation and infrastructure improvements. Farmers receiving financing may also access technical support in agronomy practices, business planning and managing price risk.
Training programmes linked to the fund include guidance on climate risks and adaptation strategies, with the aim of supporting farmers beyond the duration of the loan. These combined interventions are intended to improve farm productivity and stability in regions affected by climate stress.
The expansion of the tree donation programme is positioned as part of Starbucks’ wider approach to maintaining the availability of high-quality arabica coffee. The company stated that strengthening farm resilience is directly linked to the long-term stability of its supply chain.
“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.”
Industry observers have pointed to the vulnerability of coffee supply chains to climate change, with some forecasts suggesting that suitable land for arabica cultivation could decline significantly in the coming decades. Efforts to develop climate-resilient crops and support smallholder adaptation are increasingly seen as central to maintaining global supply.
Starbucks’ commitment to donate an additional 50 million trees represents the next phase of its programme. The company said the expansion builds on its existing work in responsible sourcing and on-farm research, while extending its reach to new coffee-growing regions.
With 100 million trees already distributed and millions more planned, the initiative reflects a continued focus on farm-level interventions as part of broader efforts to address climate risks in agriculture. The company maintains that supporting farmers through improved planting material, financing and technical assistance can help sustain coffee production in the years ahead.
