VOCAL Coffee Alliance Urges Buyers To Adopt Responsible Procurement Practices – CoffeeTalk

Coffee producers from Brazil, Nicaragua, Honduras, Uganda, Indonesia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Sri Lanka have urged downstream buyers to shift from isolated sustainability efforts to embracing a comprehensive commitment to responsible procurement. During consultations held by the VOCAL Coffee Alliance in June and December 2025, it was revealed that a significant gap exists between sustainability pledges and actual procurement practices.

Although recent increases in commodity prices have improved farm gate revenues for some producers, systemic obstacles such as delayed payments and escalating input costs hinder many smallholders from achieving a living income. The producers are calling for buyers to convert their sustainability commitments into actionable procurement strategies that include fair pricing, expedited payments, co-financing for regulatory compliance, and mechanisms to share risks as emphasized by the alliance.

Historically, downstream players have captured a majority of the value derived from coffee production, while the smallholders, responsible for approximately 80% of the global coffee supply, receive a disproportionately small share despite their extensive labor and stewardship. Many producers also face prolonged cash cycles, compelling them to resort to high-interest credit options or alternative selling channels, with a scarcity of consistent instances where buyers provide pre-financing, shorter payment terms, or working capital assistance.

Moreover, compliance costs are described as ‘burdensome,’ with producers incurring significant upfront and ongoing expenses to adhere to regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), often without the support of buyer co-financing. Producers emphasize the need for sustainable partnerships characterized by transparency, regular engagement, and pricing frameworks that accurately reflect production realities.

The VOCAL Coffee Alliance is actively inviting producers, producer organizations, civil society groups, buyers, and funders to collaborate on enhancing consultations, aggregating income and price data, and establishing practical procurement terms and risk-sharing models. They seek partnerships to co-develop contract language, payment terms, and pilot data-dividend initiatives that can be implemented across various origins.

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