Starbucks Launches Three-Year Initiative to Support Coffee Farmers and Arabica Production in Northern Thailand – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks Coffee Company, in collaboration with the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), has launched a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing the sustainability of Arabica coffee production among farmers in Northern Thailand. This initiative builds upon existing partnerships with local coffee-growing communities, focusing on improving farming and post-harvest methods to boost quality and resilience.

Arabica coffee is particularly vulnerable to climate changes, which are increasingly affecting yields and consistent quality due to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and heightened pest challenges. The program is structured to facilitate knowledge sharing and provide practical solutions across regional boundaries, connecting farmers with agronomists from Starbucks’ Farmer Support Center (FSC) in Sumatra, Indonesia. This FSC acts as the Asia Pacific hub within Starbucks’ global network of 10 Farmer Support Centers and utilizes agricultural research from Hacienda Alsacia, a Starbucks research farm in Costa Rica, to inform field practices.

Announced in advance of World of Coffee Bangkok 2026, the initiative’s framework is divided into key phases:

1. Building Foundations (2026): This phase involves hands-on training for farmers and ITDF field teams at the Sumatra FSC. Training will cover essential agricultural practices such as pruning, soil nutrition, and shade management. Additionally, Starbucks agronomists will conduct field assessments in Northern Thailand to provide recommendations for effective farm management and post-harvest processes.
2. Scaling Impact (2027-2028): The initiative aims to establish a model farm that meets Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices standards. This model farm will serve as an educational site for sustainable farming techniques. To reinforce learning, Starbucks agronomists will provide annual field training during this period.

Mike Mann, from ITDF, emphasized the initiative’s potential to merge the foundation’s deep-rooted connections with local communities and Starbucks’ agricultural expertise, ultimately enhancing coffee quality and farm productivity while expanding long-term opportunities for farmers.

Starbucks has a 27-year history in Thailand, previously collaborating with ITDF on various initiatives, such as the Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend and Community Stores that contribute significantly to local development projects. Since 2003, sales from these initiatives have accrued over 20 million baht (approximately USD 790,000) to support social and environmental projects in Northern Thai coffee communities. Furthermore, The Starbucks Foundation’s Global Community Impact Grants program has facilitated numerous livelihood projects targeting educational and economic resilience since 2022.

During the World of Coffee Bangkok event, Starbucks will feature a range of its global coffee offerings, including notable blends and single-origin coffees like Starbucks Reserve™ Thailand Mae Hong Son. Led by master roasters, the event will include guided coffee tastings and interactive sensory experiences, highlighting Starbucks’ commitment to sustainable coffee sourcing and appreciation of coffee culture.

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