Towards a More Sustainable Cup of Coffee: Ecocert’s Commitment

Did you know that more than 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world every day?¹ Yet behind every cup lies a major challenge: ensuring production that is both sustainable and ethical.

At Ecocert, we are committed to promoting agriculture that respects both the environment and the people who work the land. We work closely with coffee producers to help them adopt sustainable, fair, and responsible practices, securing a promising future for the sector.

• Current challenges and the importance of certification

Coffee, a truly universal beverage, plays a vital role in the economies of many countries. However, the sector is facing major challenges, including climate change and precarious working conditions for producers. This is where Ecocert comes in, through labels such as Rainforest Alliance and Fair for Life. These labels promote sustainable agricultural practices, fair remuneration, and the protection of ecosystems.

The Head of Sustainability at Volcafé², one of the world’s largest coffee traders, shares the company’s commitment: “We have had a clear vision for the past 15 years: improving coffee quality while supporting producers in their agricultural practices. From the outset, we invested in certified supply chains, not only to meet growing customer demand for responsible practices, but also to contribute to the sustainable development of farming operations.”

For them, Rainforest Alliance certification was an obvious choice: “This label covers a wide range of topics, from forest management to improved farming practices, while ensuring compliance with customer expectations. Although the standards are demanding, they push us to continuously evolve and improve.”

• At Ecocert, the coffee sector is supported through a range of labels, including:

📌 Organic certification

📌 Rainforest Alliance certification, recognised for its commitment to environmental protection and ecosystem resilience in coffee-producing regions

📌 Fair for Life certification, which supports a coffee sector that places people at the heart of its economic model. It provides coffee producers with fair trade guarantees, in particular through fair and stable remuneration, helping to improve their living standards and those of their communities

With more than 30 years of expertise, Ecocert is a key player in coffee certification across many regions worldwide. We work alongside producers in the main coffee-growing areas:

📍Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, etc.)

📍Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, etc.)

📍Asia (Indonesia, India, Vietnam, etc.)

Our strong local presence and our network of auditors enable us to support our clients effectively in the continuous improvement of their agricultural, environmental, and social practices.

The Malindo agricultural cooperative in Indonesia is also committed to sustainability and shares its experience “Farming while protecting the environment is our priority. Through organic farming practices and shade-grown cultivation, we minimise deforestation and land degradation, while preserving biodiversity,”³

explains a representative of this Rainforest Alliance-certified cooperative. They also highlight the economic benefits of certification: “Certified producers gain significant economic advantages compared to non-certified ones, notably thanks to higher quality and better cost control.”

• Exemplary practices at the heart of the production chain

The cooperative implements exemplary practices: soil nutrient analysis, selection of suitable bean varieties, integrated pest management, and a rigorous traceability system. “We also place strong emphasis on women’s rights in the sector by providing them with dedicated training to manage crops,” the representative adds.

These initiatives, illustrated through the testimonies above and supported by Ecocert, help transform a complex sector into a more responsible and sustainable supply chain. Through this shared commitment, every cup of coffee contributes to a better future.

¹ Data from the International Coffee Organization and the National Coffee Association

² Testimony collected by HEUSINKVELD, Geert Jan, Head of Sustainability, Volcafé

³ Testimony collected by Gayo Sinar Cemerlang