Starbucks sources its coffee beans exclusively from 100% Arabica coffee plants grown by over 450,000 farmers across more than 30 countries within the "Coffee Belt," which spans regions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific
. Key sourcing regions and countries include:
- Latin America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Bolivia. Beans from this region are known for nutty, cocoa, and soft spice notes and are used in many Starbucks signature blends like Pike Place Roast
- Africa: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, Congo. African coffees tend to have bright, floral, fruity profiles with citrus and berry undertones, often featured in single-origin or Reserve blends such as Starbucks Ethiopia
- Asia-Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, East Timor, China, Hawaii. Coffees from this region are typically earthy, herbal, and full-bodied, used in richer dark roasts and Reserve offerings like Sumatra
Starbucks emphasizes ethical sourcing through its Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices, ensuring sustainable farming, fair treatment of farmers, and environmental protection. Over 99% of Starbucks coffee is ethically sourced under these guidelines. The company also maintains direct relationships with farmers and invests in community support and sustainability initiatives in coffee-growing regions
. In summary, Starbucks obtains its coffee beans from a diverse global network of farms within the Coffee Belt, focusing on high-quality Arabica beans from Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, combined with strong commitments to ethical sourcing and sustainability.
