Investment in coffee breeding and seed systems to drive origin diversity, sector growth, and climate resilience
World Coffee Research (WCR) announced today that the global coffee industry has renewed its $10 million commitment to bolster coffee breeding and seed sector programs worldwide. With over 190 member companies spanning 29 countries, WCR is calling on governments to partner with the industry in agricultural R&D investments. This collaboration aims to enhance farmers’ productivity, reduce coffee agriculture’s environmental footprint, and preserve consumer choice.
A Growing Need for Innovation Amid Challenges
Global coffee commodity prices have surged to nearly 50-year highs, driven by production challenges such as extreme weather, pests, and disease. These pressures underscore the urgent need for innovative technologies to help farmers overcome these obstacles. Yet, many farmers lack access to improved plant varieties, leaving them ill-equipped to adapt. According to WCR, the global coffee sector faces a staggering $452 million annual gap in agricultural R&D funding.
Recognizing the critical role of innovation, WCR’s multi-year commitments have enabled the launch of two global coffee breeding networks for arabica and robusta. These networks involve 11 producing countries, collectively responsible for 43% of global coffee exports. By 2030, these initiatives are expected to deliver 100 improved arabica varieties, with robusta advancements to follow, ensuring stable supplies from diverse origins.
Industry Leaders Advocate for Public-Private Collaboration
“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,” said Matt Saurage, Chairman of Community Coffee. “We’re proud to stand with over 200 fellow WCR member companies to invest in the future of coffee. We also look forward to partnering with governments worldwide to make this vision a reality.”
Coffee companies emphasize that government co-investment in agricultural R&D and seed systems is vital to scale agricultural innovation. Public-private partnerships can address the long-standing funding gap and drive transformational benefits for farmers, industries, and economies.
“For decades, we’ve invested in pre-competitive research and development to help coffee farmers build resilience to climate challenges,” said Monique Oxender, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Keurig Dr Pepper and a WCR board member. “There’s still more to be done. Public-private partnerships can close coffee’s innovation gap, scale solutions, and protect millions of livelihoods.”
Momentum Builds for Global Support
The call for action comes amid a wave of public commitments to support coffee R&D. In 2024, G7 countries highlighted the importance of public sector involvement in agricultural innovation, endorsing investments in research, policy reforms, and smallholder farmer support. That same year, USAID committed $5.4 million to a partnership between Cornell University and WCR to enhance coffee breeding efforts, while Germany’s GIZ allocated €1.2 million to strengthen Ethiopia’s national coffee breeding program.
William “Bill” Murray, President and CEO of the National Coffee Association (NCA), reinforced the importance of these investments: “There is no coffee without thriving coffee farmers and healthy coffee plants. Investments like these are essential for the 63% of American adults who enjoy coffee daily and the 2.2 million U.S. jobs created by the coffee sector.”
Driving the Future of Coffee Innovation
In 2025, WCR’s 190+ member companies reaffirmed their commitment to a sustainable coffee future, collectively pledging over $10 million to the organization through 2027. This includes three-year commitments from leading companies such as Coffein Compagnie, Counter Culture Coffee, Intelligentsia Coffee, JDE Peet’s, Keurig Dr Pepper, Starbucks Coffee, and Tchibo.
These investments are driving WCR’s collaborative R&D agenda, which is on track to reshape the global coffee landscape. The next generation of coffee varieties promises to ensure resilient farming systems, enhanced productivity, and a diverse origin portfolio.
“Together, the coffee industry and governments can deliver the solutions needed to secure coffee’s future for farmers, businesses, and consumers alike,” said Oxender.