World Coffee Research (WCR) has announced a renewed $10 million commitment from the global coffee industry to strengthen its coffee breeding and seed programmes.

With over 190 member companies across 29 countries, WCR is calling on governments to collaborate with the industry to invest in agricultural R&D for coffee. These efforts aim to improve productivity, support farmers, reduce the environmental impact of coffee agriculture and ensure continued consumer choice.

According to the company, coffee commodity prices are at nearly 50-year highs due to production challenges, underscoring the urgent need for new technologies and innovations to help farmers address issues like extreme weather, pests and disease. Stable coffee supplies rely on the success of farmers around the world, yet many lack access to improved plant varieties. WCR estimates a significant annual funding gap – $452 million – in coffee agricultural R&D.

The coffee industry is working to close this gap. Through multi-year commitments, WCR’s member companies have established two global coffee breeding networks for arabica and robusta. These networks involve collaboration from 11 producing countries, which together account for 43% of the world’s coffee. By 2030, they aim to deliver 100 improved arabica varieties, with robusta varieties to follow.

Matt Saurage, chairman of Community Coffee, said: “As a family-owned American company for over 105 years, Community Coffee understands the critical importance of investing in agricultural innovation to protect the future of our business, advance prosperity for farmers and deliver sustainability and quality for our customers. Our company and our 200+ fellow WCR member companies are proud to be investing in the future of coffee.”

Coffee companies are urging governments to partner with the industry to co-invest in agricultural R&D and coffee seed systems. Access to better plant varieties is essential for fostering innovation and supporting resilient coffee farming.

Monique Oxender, chief corporate affairs officer at Keurig Dr Pepper and member of the board of directors of WCR, highlighted: “For decades we have invested in pre-competitive research and development so that coffee farmers can be resilient to the challenges of climate change. There is still more to be done, and public-private partnership can help to close coffee’s long-standing innovation investment gap, bring new solutions to scale and protect millions of livelihoods.”

William Murray, president and CEO of the National Coffee Association (NCA), said: “NCA and WCR have long partnered to champion investments in agricultural research and innovation as a high priority in securing sustainable supplies of America’s favorite beverage. There is no coffee without thriving coffee farmers and healthy coffee plants, so investments like these are critical for the 63% of American adults who enjoy coffee every day and for the 2.2 million US jobs created by the coffee sector.”