February 25, 2026 – As a high-value agricultural commodity, coffee is central to many developing economies around the world. In fact, over 100 million people depend on this sector for their livelihood, according to the International Coffee Organization. However, the global coffee supply chain is currently facing many challenges. From transparency concerns to farmer security and environmental protections, the global coffee supply chain is under pressure. Innova’s “Ingredient Sourcing: Brewing Transparency in Coffee Supply Chains-Global” report examines the current state of the global coffee supply chain, trends, and innovations that brands can leverage moving forward.
How Do Ethical Factors Impact Global Coffee Purchasing Decisions?
Regarding coffee purchase drivers, ethical factors are increasingly important to consumers. These concerns are compounded by legislation, which is adding pressure to coffee companies. For example, the EU Deforestation Regulation requires businesses to prove their products are not sourced from land deforested after 2020. In response, traceability initiatives are becoming more and more commonplace as a fundamental commitment brands are making over a differentiating factor.
How Are Brands Making Strides in Sustainability?
Small-scale or family managed farms are often remote and located in inaccessible areas, so technology will play a crucial role in boosting transparency in the global coffee supply chain. Ingredient suppliers often face challenges due to the fragmented nature of supply chains, but brands are already making innovation strides in this area. For example, the ingredient supplier brand ofi has developed a tool that combines satellite data, mapping, and machine learning to examine how much carbon is present on land plots. Data extracted from tools like this highlight important opportunities that can support sustainability in coffee by supporting agroforestry and tree planting efforts that combat greenhouse gas emissions.
What Role Does Technology Play in Coffee Supply Chain Transparency?
Traceability technologies will also be important moving forward to help maintain sustainability outcomes and ethical coffee sourcing practices, as they can help connect brands with on-the-ground realities. However, since much of the global coffee supply comes from smallholder farmers, origin tracking can be difficult, and there is limited or inconsistent data infrastructure that exists.
As traceability efforts increase, some argue that smallholder farmers are being left behind in the global coffee supply chain, but there are opportunities for brands to develop advanced traceability systems that increase global connectivity for all. For brands, this could also have the added benefit of connecting consumers with a product’s texture, processing methods, environmental impact, and social implications of their coffee purchases. In this way, traceability initiatives are fundamental for brands making “climate-friendly” claims, while also providing credibility and an added layer of consumer value. Third-party validations can also help brands achieve this advantage.
What Are Some Programs That Support Responsible Practices?
The Rainforest Alliance certification program is an international non-profit that helps companies achieve their goals in building traceable, sustainable supply chains. Aligning with consumer demand for environmentally conscious practices and ethical considerations, the Rainforest Alliance works closely with coffee companies to implement traceability compliance systems, third-party audits, and responsible procurement strategies. Brands can leverage programs such as this to build consumer trust and authentically communicate sustainability in coffee with clear outcomes.
How Do Sourcing and Transparency Influence Coffee Flavor Trends?
Origin and local sources have a strong influence on coffee flavor trends and consumers’ purchasing decisions due to claims or processing methods. 4 in 10 consumers who enjoy coffee in dairy desserts across Europe say they are attracted to claims like “100% Arabica” or origins like Brazilian coffee. Processing techniques are also influential in preserving the unique flavor signatures that are linked to coffee origins. For instance, cold brew is an extraction technique that is currently driving the cold coffee category. Popular with Gen Z consumers, cold brew stands out by capturing the distinct flavor from the natural environment its sourced from, underscoring how extraction methods can provide versatile, authentic bases for unique taste experiences. Combined with traceability initiatives and ethical coffee sourcing, brands can expect that these innovations will drive sustainability in coffee and the future of the global coffee market.
This article is based on Innova’s Ingredient Sourcing: Brewing Transparency in Coffee Supply Chains-Global report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to learn more.