The coffee industry: challenges and solutions for sustainability

Sustainability in the coffee sector presents many sensitive aspects: starting from the procurement of coffee, throughout the production process which leads to the creation of the finished product such as ground coffee, and finally to packaging in vacuum-packed packages, capsules or bean packages. Above all, this system brings into play several parameters that significantly contribute to the final result through strict quality control. Italian roasting companies therefore represent the fulcrum of this value chain, committing themselves every day towards sustainable production, i.e. respectful of management systems, procedures and practices in various areas of sustainability, including: environment, product and consumers, supply chain, and community . Furthermore, these development and cultivation programs create greater opportunities for differentiating sensory attributes of the finished product. However, the quality of the grain harvest requires careful examinations (e.g. eliminating impurities and foreign bodies) to guarantee the best performance during subsequent steps such as drying, which can take place according to different methods. Other opportunities concern the innovation of the blends to be used at the roasting level. In short, within the possible actions to be adopted as part of sustainable strategies, the procurement of raw coffee and the supply chain (e.g. choice of packaging materials and logistics and distribution services) constitute key areas for alignment with international standards of a sustainable coffee supply chain.