Yunnan Is Now Starbucks' Sole China Coffee Bean Source

Starbucks buyers looking for high-quality, China-grown coffee beans now have one clear answer: Yunnan. Thanks to a strategic partnership with a leading local agricultural group, the global coffee chain has zeroed in on this southwestern Chinese province as its sole bean supplier within mainland China.

Yes, Yunnan is now the only region in mainland China where Starbucks buys coffee beans. Through its joint venture with Yunnan Aini Group, Starbucks sources all its China-origin coffee from this province alone. The joint venture, called Starbucks Aini Limited Company, also marks Starbucks’ first coffee processing and export operation in China.

How Starbucks and Aini Partnered on Coffee in Yunnan

Starbucks teamed up with Yunnan’s Aini Group to form a dedicated coffee supply company. This entity, Starbucks Aini Limited Company, is jointly owned and represents Starbucks’ first foray into coffee bean procurement, processing, and exporting in China. Liu Minghui, Chairman of Aini Group, revealed that the venture’s initial phase involves sourcing coffee beans across the entire province to supply Starbucks’ global blends.

Liu also noted that one of Starbucks’ existing blended coffees—"Feng Wu Xiang Yun," or "Phoenix Dancing in the Clouds"—already uses beans sourced from Baoshan in Yunnan. This blend represents Starbucks’ first commercial product utilising Yunnan-grown beans.

Yunnan’s Coffee Infrastructure and Production Capacity

Aini Group has been ramping up its coffee processing capabilities in Yunnan. In January 2012, the group launched its first phase of specialty roasting and grinding production lines, with an annual output capacity of 3,000 tonnes of roasted coffee beans. By 2015, the group planned to invest further in infrastructure to reach an annual production of 5,000 tonnes of roasted coffee powder and 20,000 tonnes of canned coffee beverages.

Prior to this expansion, between 2009 and 2010, Aini Group sourced and processed several thousand tonnes of coffee beans from over 4,000 local farming households. This demonstrated both the supply base and processing capability already in place in the region.

Yunnan’s Role as China’s Coffee Heartland

According to the Yunnan Coffee Industry Association, by the end of 2011, Yunnan had developed 860,000 mu (approximately 57,333 hectares) of coffee plantations, making it the largest coffee-growing and coffee-exporting base in China. The province benefits from prime growing conditions, sitting within the global “coffee golden belt” between latitudes 25°N and 25°S, with elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 metres offering ideal temperature ranges of 16°C to 21°C, fertile slopes, abundant sunlight, and significant diurnal temperature variation.

Within Yunnan, Pu’er City is a major growing hub. According to Pu’er Mayor Li Xiaoping, by the end of 2011, the city had developed 439,000 mu of coffee farms, producing 28,000 tonnes of coffee. Aini Group’s own planting bases are concentrated here. Meanwhile, other key coffee-growing areas in Yunnan include Baoshan, Dehong, and Lincang.

Starbucks’ Expanding Commitment to Yunnan Coffee

Starbucks has made clear its intention to deepen its presence in Yunnan’s coffee supply chain. Alongside its joint venture with Aini, the company has announced plans to establish a coffee preliminary processing facility in the region. This move reflects the coffee giant’s broader strategy to secure quality, traceable coffee sources and support local production ecosystems.

Worldwide coffee companies are increasingly recognising Yunnan’s potential. The province has become a focal point not just for Starbucks, but for multiple international players aiming to diversify their coffee origins and invest in sustainable production practices in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Starbucks choose Yunnan as its only coffee bean source in China?

Starbucks selected Yunnan because it is China’s largest and most developed coffee-growing region, with ideal climate, elevation, and infrastructure. Through its joint venture with Aini Group, it can reliably source and process coffee beans across the province to meet its global blending needs.

What is the Starbucks Aini Limited Company?

The Starbucks Aini Limited Company is a joint venture between Starbucks and Yunnan’s Aini Group. It is Starbucks’ first coffee bean procurement, processing, and export operation in China, and it supplies all of Starbucks’ China-sourced coffee beans.

Which Starbucks coffee product uses Yunnan beans?

Starbucks’ “Feng Wu Xiang Yun” (Phoenix Dancing in the Clouds) blend includes coffee beans sourced from Baoshan in Yunnan. This is one of the company’s existing commercial blends that utilises Yunnan-grown coffee.

How much coffee does Yunnan produce?

By the end of 2011, Yunnan had 860,000 mu of coffee plantations and was the largest coffee-producing region in China. Pu’er City alone had 439,000 mu under cultivation and produced 28,000 tonnes of coffee in 2011.

What is Aini Group’s coffee production capacity in Yunnan?

As of 2012, Aini Group had a roasted coffee bean production capacity of 3,000 tonnes per year. It planned to scale up to 5,000 tonnes of roasted coffee powder and 20,000 tonnes of canned coffee beverage production annually by 2015.

Does Starbucks have processing facilities in Yunnan?

Yes, Starbucks has announced plans to operate a coffee preliminary processing factory in Yunnan, further integrating its supply chain in the region.

Recommended FrontStreet Yunnan Coffee Beans

Explore Yunnan’s coffee character with FrontStreet’s washed Yunnan Arabica, a bright and balanced single origin with subtle fruitiness and a clean finish. For deeper flavours, try the 2013 Yunnan Typica, a sun-dried classic with bold acidity, citrus and berry notes, creamy mouthfeel, and a sweet aftertaste. Both showcase Yunnan’s terroir and are ideal for understanding regional coffee profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.