​Bringing out a new generation of coffee farmers

The world's coffee farmers are getting older and older. At the same time, fewer young people see a future in coffee. That is why one of the greatest challenges of the business is to get more young women and men to grow coffee. The Swedish coffee roaster Löfbergs takes this challenge as a starting point in an investment that will improve the conditions and the development opportunities for young coffee farmers in Colombia and Tanzania.

- Good coffee is not a matter of course if a new generation of farmers does not follow. We want to give more young coffee farmers the opportunity to create a good life for themselves and their families, says Martin Löfberg, Purchasing Director at Löfbergs.

Today, two-thirds of the world's coffee farms are small-scale family farms. If more young people do not take over, the coffee production will be effected - and this in a time when we are drinking more and more coffee. At the same, a bigger share of the coffee will be farmed on large-scale plantations, which leads to the disappearance of unique qualities and flavours.

- It is also about securing great tasting coffee in the future, says Martin Löfberg.

Education to increase income
One important part of the Löfbergs investment is the education and the training that the new generation is offered. The topics vary from finance, entrepreneurship and how to organize, to sustainable farming methods and how to face climate changes. The goal is to increase productivity and quality to enable the farmers to make more money.

- The education has contributed to a redoubling of our production. We use the income to purchase more land so that we can farm even more coffee, says Martha and David Angomwile, two young coffee farmers in south-western Tanzania.

- Martha and David are a good example on the commitment and the interest there is, and that better knowledge contribute to an increase in income. That is just the effect we want and that we believe can inspire a new generation of coffee farmers, says Martin Löfberg.

The education in Tanzania is a collaboration with International Coffee Partners, a non-profit organization that Löfbergs runs together with six other family-owned coffee businesses. In Colombia, Löfbergs works with Young Coffee Growers and FNC, the national organization of the country's coffee farmers.

High quality
Besides the education, Löfbergs will also purchase coffee from the young farmers in Tanzania and Colombia. The farmers get paid as usual, with quality increase and other bonuses. Löfbergs also earmarks another SEK 7 per kilo for investments in continuous education and training.

- We chose these farmers since they could deliver really good coffee that is rich in taste. It is a signal that quality pays off, and something that is a joy for both farmers and all coffee lovers at home, says Martin Löfberg.

For a start, the Next Generation Coffee assortment consists of a light-roast coffee from Tanzania as well as a dark-roast and an espresso from Colombia.

Good moments for coming generations
Löfbergs was founded in 1906 by Anders Löfberg and his two brothers. The coffee roaster, which produces about 10 million cups of coffee per day, is still a family business. Today in its fourth generation.

- Our vision as owners is Good moments for coming generations. It embraces both family, co-workers, coffee drinkers and coffee farmers. That is why this investment in a new generation of coffee farmers feels very natural to us, says Martin Löfberg.

For more information:
Anders Thorén, Acting Director of Communications, +46 (0) 703 55 64 22, anders.thoren@lofbergs.se

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Facts about Next Generation Coffee

• An investment to get more young people to see a future as coffee farmers.
• The investment involves both education and direct trade.
• The focus is to increase productivity and quality to enable the farmers to make more money.
• The investment aims at young farmers in Tanzania and Colombia at first.
  
  

Three high-quality coffees

• Tanzania AA Reserve
  Hand-picked Arabica beans from small-scale farms in Igale in south-western Tanzania. The coffee is a bit wilder in its flavour, with elements of tropical fruits. It has been light-roasted to bring out the complexity of the flavours.
• Colombia Colombia Antioquia
  Hand-picked Arabica beans from Fairtrade cooperatives in Antioquia in northern Colombia. It grows on an altitude of 1,300-2,000 metres above sea level and is a well-balanced, dark-roast coffee with a fresh fruitiness, a sweetness of honey and notes of dark chocolate.
• Colombia Antioquia Espresso
  Hand-picked Arabica beans from Fairtrade cooperatives in Antioquia in northern Colombia. A full-bodied and balanced dark-roast espresso with round, sweet, berry tones and notes of cacao.