World Coffee Research (WCR) has announced a renewed commitment of US$10 million (AU$16.12 million) from the global coffee industry to support its worldwide coffee breeding and seed sector strengthening programs.
The investment comes from WCR’s network of over 190 member companies across 29 countries, who are calling for governments to increase support for agricultural research and development (R&D) in the coffee sector. The aim is to boost coffee productivity, improve farmers’ livelihoods, reduce the environmental impact of coffee farming, and ensure consumers continue to have access to quality coffee.
In December 2024, coffee commodity prices hit a 50-year high, a result of production challenges, including extreme weather, pests, and disease. This spike highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to help farmers cope with these growing challenges. WCR estimates that global agricultural R&D for coffee is underfunded by US$452 million (AU$727 million) annually.
To address this funding gap, WCR’s member companies have helped launch two global coffee breeding networks—one for Arabica and one for Robusta coffee. These networks involve 11 producing countries, which together account for 43% of the world’s coffee exports. In Australia, the project is led by Southern Cross University in New South Wales, in partnership with the Australian Grown Coffee Association (AGCA). Trial sites are located in Alstonville, New South Wales, and the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland.
The goal of these breeding programs is to develop the next generation of coffee varieties that will ensure stable supplies from diverse origins. WCR is on track to deliver 100 improved Arabica varieties by 2030, with Robusta varieties to follow.
The year 2024 has seen increased public investment in coffee R&D. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed US$5.4 million (AU$8.61 million) to a partnership between Cornell University and WCR, aimed at improving the effectiveness and speed of coffee breeding. Additionally, the German development agency GIZ has pledged €1.2 million (AU$1.99 million) to support Ethiopia’s national coffee breeding program, with two other donor governments expected to join the initiative.
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