Report: Regenerative Coffee Could Boost Farmer Incomes 62% while Benefiting the Environment
The global study from TechnoServe, supported by Nestlé, JDE Peet’s, and the Rudy & Alice Ramsey Foundation, outlines a path to support 3.2 million farmers, grow exports, cut emissions, and restore ecosystems
ARLINGTON, VA (April 30, 2025) – New research from international nonprofit TechnoServe, with support from Nestlé, JDE Peet’s, and the Rudy & Alice Ramsey Foundation, reveals the transformative potential of regenerative coffee production across nine of the world’s leading coffee-producing countries.
The Regenerative Coffee Investment Case shows that transitioning toward regenerative agriculture could improve farm yields, increase smallholder farmer incomes by an average of 62%, boost coffee exports by 30%, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5 million tons of CO₂e annually—all while restoring nature and strengthening local economies.
“These findings confirm what TechnoServe has observed over decades of working with coffee farmers: regenerative agriculture is not only good for nature, but essential for smallholder livelihoods and the future of the industry,” said Paul Stewart, global coffee director at TechnoServe. “It’s an investment that pays off for farmers, businesses, and the planet.”
The report focuses on smallholder production and provides detailed, country-level analysis across Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Peru, and Kenya, covering farms that produce about 70% of the world’s coffee. It demonstrates how helping 3.2 million smallholder farmers adopt proven regenerative agriculture practices—such as agroforestry or the use of organic waste to fertilize plantscan yield significant business, environmental, and social returns.
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve championed regenerative agriculture through our Common Grounds sustainability program, working directly with coffee farmers across the globe,” said Nadia Hoarau-Mwaura, global responsible sourcing director for JDE Peet’s. “We’ve experienced first-hand how implementing regenerative practices help farmers tackle long-standing challenges like profitability and climate impact. This detailed study offers a clear, practical path to implementing regenerative agriculture at scale—one that requires industry-wide collaboration. At JDE Peet’s, we are proud to support and help lead this transition.”
Impact from the Farm Up
“Through the Nescafé Plan and the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, we have been working with coffee farmers for many years, providing support for their transition to regenerative agriculture practices. We believe that this approach not only makes coffee farming more sustainable and resilient but also brings about additional positive benefits. This study further reinforces our conviction, and we hope that it will bring and guide increased public and private investments, ensuring that these benefits can reach a greater number of coffee farmers worldwide,” said Marcelo Burity, head of green coffee development for Nestlé.
In each country, consultation with agronomists and practitioners identified a shortlist of practices that would generate the greatest impact for farmers and the environment. The report’s authors then modeled the expected impacts of these practices on emissions, farm productivity and earnings, and production costs, starting at farm level and then quantifying the cumulative potential in each country. The report draws on TechnoServe farm surveys, data from the partners, public research, and expert interviews.
The study underscores specific country-level opportunities, such as a potential 196% increase in farmer income in Kenya, a 52% rise in Uganda’s Robusta exports, and a 46% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from Brazilian Arabica farms.
Investing in Regenerative Production
The research finds that realizing this opportunity across the nine countries will require an average of $560 million per year in investment over seven years. These funds would support technical assistance and financing tailored to the specific needs of smallholder farmers as they adopt regenerative practices. In return, the investment would generate $2.6 billion in additional coffee exports and $2.1 billion in farmer income each year.
“We are proud to be part of an effort to catalyze significant new investments in the coffee sector that improve farmers’ incomes and protect our planet,” said Rudy and Alice Ramsey in a statement.
Read the full report at: https://www.technoserve.org/regenerative-coffee-investment-case/
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About TechnoServe
Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in around 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.
More information at: Twitter: @TechnoServe | Facebook: @TechnoServe | LinkedIn: @TechnoServe
About Nestlé S.A.
Nestlé is the world’s leading food and beverage company, with 277,000 employees, more than 2,000 brands and products sold in 185 countries. As the Good food, Good life company, Nestlé believes in the power of food to help people and pets live happier, healthier lives. The company is doing this while pursuing ambitious sustainability goals. Goals that advance the health of our planet, build positive communities and support a healthy food system.
About JDE Peet’s
JDE Peet’s is the world’s leading pure-play coffee and tea company, serving approximately 4,392 cups of coffee or tea per second. JDE Peet’s unleashes the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 markets, with a portfolio of over 50 brands including L’OR, Peet’s, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, OldTown, Super, Pickwick and Moccona. In 2024, JDE Peet’s generated total sales of EUR 8.8 billion and employed a global workforce of more than 21,600 employees. Read more about our journey towards a coffee and tea for every cup at www.jdepeets.com.
About the Rudy & Alice Ramsey Foundation
The Rudy & Alice Ramsey Foundation seeks to make significant, long-term improvements in the ability of poor people to become economically self-sufficient. Working with selected, mostly international, NGOs, it funds projects dealing with political and economic freedom, smallholder farming, entrepreneurship and access to food, water, housing, health care, energy, education and information, and finance. Since its founding in 2009, it has funded 25 projects with 10 different NGOs in 14 countries.
Media contacts:
Nick Rosen – TechnoServe – nrosen@tns.org
Claudia Afonso – Nestlé – Claudia.Afonso@nestle.com
Kim Vogten – JDE Peet’s – media@jdecoffee.com
