The new sustainability report of Löfbergs: "Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time”

The world of Löfbergs revolves round coffee. The great taste of course, but also the genuine interest and the knowledge that we have built since 1906. But that is not worth anything if we do not take care of each other and our planet. Which is why sustainability is and always has been important to us. It is a part of our DNA and is included in everything we do and in every decision we make. It enables us to be the first choice for customers and consumers.

Our new sustainability report includes the period from July 2022 to December 2023, a time when it has happened a lot for us and the world around us. Organisationally, we have clarified the sustainability function and that it is central to our business and product development. Löfbergs has been first with new sustainable solutions many times, and we will continue to be. Which is why our sustainability work is an important part of our management and governance.

Sustainability is something that we win business with, and, in combination with other efforts, it contributes to our success. The growth on our core markets is good, not least in Sweden, where we have reclaimed the position as market leader. We are making efforts to keep growing, for example through heavy investments to strengthen our brands.

We continue to take new steps in the field of sustainability, which feels more important than ever. Increased traceability and transparency are two keywords when we now combine more and new methods to create better conditions for the environment and even more coffee farmers. Our transition to fossil-free sea transports is another positive measure. In a time where different forces around the world question the pace of the sustainability work and point at others to do something, it is crucial that there are those who want, who dare to act, and who take steps forward. For us, it is about taking responsibility, showing leadership, and living our vision.

At the time of writing, it has been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and in connection with that, we immediately stopped all sales to Russia and Belarus. Wars and conflicts have broken out in other areas since then, which have affected us and our supply chain in different ways.

The financial situation, with inflation and a significant increase in costs, also creates an insecurity. For us and the world around us. Many customers and consumers are having a hard time, and even if our expenses soar, we have taken responsibility be adding extra focus on internal efficiency to alleviate the consequences and be able to continue to offer affordable products.

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and affects the coffee industry to a great extent, most of all in the producing countries. Higher temperatures and extreme weather phenomena make it more challenging than ever to farm coffee. This places high demands on many people, us included. We address this challenge in many different ways, for example with the development projects that improve the opportunities and the living conditions for small-scale coffee farmers. These projects are carried out together with others within the framework of International Coffee Partners.

New legislation in the field of sustainability is something else that affects us and many others ahead. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are two examples. We welcome the new rules and regulations, but also realise that they involve a number of challenges. The laws are unclear in some cases, and the forward planning is short. We would have wanted the politicians to have a better dialogue with the trade and industry. Otherwise, the risk is that the companies need to use an unnecessary amount of resources on understanding, administrating, and reporting, which results in a shrinkage of the playing field for innovation and development. That does not benefit anyone.

Kathrine Löfberg, Chair of the Board and coffee roaster in the fourth generation
Anders Fredriksson, CEO