Starbucks Buys First Farm to Tackle Coffee Rust

Coffee drinkers may not think much about where their beans come from—until a fungal outbreak threatens to shrink harvests and hike prices. Right now, Latin America’s coffee farms, including those supplying major roasters like Starbucks, are battling a deadly fungus known as coffee leaf rust, or ‘la roya.’ This disease has slashed yields across countries like Guatemala and Costa Rica, pushing some governments to declare agricultural emergencies. So how is one of the world’s biggest coffee companies responding?

Starbucks has purchased its first-ever coffee farm: a 600-acre property in Costa Rica. The move aims to develop rust-resistant coffee varieties and test new cultivation and processing methods, without using genetic modification.

Starbucks’ First Coffee Farm in Costa Rica

According to The Wall Street Journal, Starbucks has bought a 600-acre coffee farm in Costa Rica. While the company hasn’t disclosed the price, local sources say similar farms typically sell for between $5 million and $10 million. This is the first farm ever owned by Starbucks, marking a shift toward hands-on agricultural research.

Why Starbucks Bought Its Own Farm

The purchase allows Starbucks to directly experiment with different coffee-growing conditions and elevations. By managing the entire growing process, the company can study how variables like altitude, climate, and farming practices affect coffee health and productivity. Unlike relying solely on third-party farms or research partners, owning land gives Starbucks full control over long-term experiments and variety trials.

Developing Rust-Resistant Coffee Varieties

At the new farm, Starbucks plans to breed new coffee varieties through traditional hybridization—not genetic modification. These varieties will be tested for resistance to coffee leaf rust, a major threat in Latin America. The farm will also serve as a hub to experiment with various coffee processing techniques, further refining cup quality and resilience. The initiative makes this property Starbucks' fifth global research center dedicated to coffee science.

Coffee Leaf Rust Crisis in Latin America

The timing of Starbucks’ farm acquisition comes as coffee leaf rust spreads rapidly across Latin America. This fungal disease infects coffee leaves, reducing photosynthesis and eventually killing the plant if untreated. In countries like Guatemala, infection rates have led President Alejandro Giammattei to declare a national emergency. Since much of Latin America’s coffee is bought by Starbucks, the company has a direct stake in solving the rust crisis to protect future supply.

Collaborating with Local Farmers

Starbucks intends to work with local Costa Rican coffee growers at the new farm. Agronomists stationed there will share knowledge and help improve regional yields, not just develop proprietary beans. This collaboration aims to strengthen the wider coffee farming community while testing solutions that could benefit farms across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Starbucks’ new coffee farm located?

Starbucks’ new coffee farm is located in Costa Rica. It spans 600 acres and is the company’s first-ever owned farm.

Why did Starbucks decide to buy a coffee farm?

Starbucks bought the farm to directly research coffee cultivation, test new coffee varieties, and develop solutions for coffee leaf rust. Owning the land allows full control over experiments, especially those related to elevation and farming practices.

What is coffee leaf rust and why is it a problem?

Coffee leaf rust is a fungal disease that attacks coffee plant leaves, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and eventually killing the plant. It has devastated coffee farms across Latin America, leading to lower yields and even national emergency declarations in countries like Guatemala.

How will Starbucks develop new coffee varieties?

Starbucks will use traditional hybridization—cross-breeding different coffee plants—to create new varieties. These will be tested for traits like rust resistance and adaptability to various altitudes, all without genetic modification.

Will the farm grow coffee for Starbucks stores?

The farm is primarily a research facility. While it will grow experimental coffee varieties, its main purpose is to develop disease-resistant strains and test farming methods, not to supply beans directly to Starbucks cafés.

Is Starbucks the only company researching rust-resistant coffee?

No, but Starbucks’ purchase of its own farm is a significant step. Many research institutions and coffee-growing countries are also working on rust-resistant varieties, but few major roasters own their own research farms.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Rust-Resistant Research

While rust-resistant beans are still in development, FrontStreet Coffee offers single-origin options that highlight resilience and quality. Try their Ethiopia Huakui for floral, citrus brightness—traits often linked to high-altitude hardiness. For balanced complexity, their Yirgacheffe shows lemon, jasmine, and light berry notes typical of rust-prone regions. Both beans are grown at elevations where disease pressure shapes stronger cultivars. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.