Starbucks is taking significant steps to secure its coffee supply against climate change by acquiring two new innovation farms in Central America. These farms, located in Costa Rica and Guatemala, will focus on researching hybrid coffee varieties that can withstand changing weather patterns. The Costa Rican farm will also experiment with drones and automation to address labor shortages in the region. This move is part of Starbucks' broader strategy to create an innovation network across key coffee-growing areas worldwide.
• Starbucks sources 3% of the global coffee supply and is investing in its supply chain to combat the effects of climate change.
• The company has already distributed around 90 million climate-resistant coffee trees to farmers.
• Rising temperatures and droughts in major coffee-producing countries have led to increased prices and supply concerns.
• New farms in Asia and Africa will allow for tailored research and scalable solutions across the Coffee Belt.
This initiative is crucial as global coffee consumption continues to rise, reaching a 20-year high in the U.S. alone. By investing in innovation, Starbucks aims to ensure a stable coffee supply while also working towards its goal of achieving carbon-neutral green coffee by 2030. This not only benefits the company but also empowers farmers to adapt and thrive in a challenging climate.
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