Starbucks Buys First Coffee Farm to Study Leaf Rust

Coffee drinkers rarely think about where their beans grow—but when an airborne fungus called coffee leaf rust wipes out entire harvests, it becomes impossible to ignore. That’s exactly what’s happening in Latin America, where the epidemic threatens crops relied on by major roasters including Starbucks. Now, the company is taking direct action by owning the land where solutions might be found.

Starbucks has bought a 600-acre coffee farm in Costa Rica—the company’s very first—to test new rust-resistant coffee varieties and research growing techniques to fight the fungal outbreak. The exact price wasn’t disclosed, but similar farms in the region typically cost between $5 million and $10 million.

What Is Coffee Leaf Rust and Why Does It Matter?

Coffee leaf rust, or roya in Spanish, is a fungal disease that attacks coffee plant leaves, eventually killing the tree if untreated. It drastically reduces both yield and bean quality. Outbreaks have become more frequent and severe across Latin America, with Guatemala declaring a national emergency over the crisis last month. The disease threatens the region that supplies much of Starbucks’ coffee supply.

Starbucks’ New Research Farm in Costa Rica

The newly acquired 600-acre farm gives Starbucks a rare level of control over coffee cultivation conditions. Located in Costa Rica, the site allows researchers to study coffee plants at various altitudes and microclimates. The farm will serve as Starbucks’ fifth global research center, joining others already operating in coffee-producing regions.

How Starbucks Plans to Fight Rust Through Breeding—not Genetic Modification

Rather than using GMOs, Starbucks will develop new coffee varieties through traditional cross-breeding. The farm will also test alternative processing methods. Agronomists on-site will collaborate with local farmers to boost overall productivity and resilience against rust. The long-term goal is to breed and distribute more resistant varietals throughout the supply chain.

Why This Move Is Significant for the Coffee Industry

This is the first time Starbucks has directly owned farmland. While the company has previously invested in farmer support programs and research partnerships, controlling the growing environment allows deeper experimentation. The initiative arrives as rust outbreaks in Latin America have led to lowered yield forecasts for the upcoming harvest season—an urgent issue for an industry already facing climate stress and supply instability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Starbucks’ new coffee farm located?

Starbucks’ new coffee farm is located in Costa Rica. The 600-acre property will be used to research coffee varieties and test methods for combating coffee leaf rust.

How big is the Starbucks coffee farm in Costa Rica?

The Starbucks-owned coffee farm in Costa Rica spans 600 acres. This large area allows for varied altitude testing and extensive agricultural research.

What is coffee leaf rust and how does it affect coffee production?

Coffee leaf rust is a fungal disease that damages coffee tree leaves, reducing yield and quality. It has devastated coffee farms across Latin America, leading to reduced harvest forecasts and even national emergencies, such as in Guatemala.

Will Starbucks use genetic modification on its coffee farm?

No, Starbucks will not use genetic modification. The company plans to develop new, rust-resistant coffee varieties using traditional cross-breeding methods, not GMOs.

How much did Starbucks pay for its Costa Rica farm?

Starbucks has not disclosed the purchase price for its Costa Rica farm. However, sources indicate that similar farms in the region typically sell for between $5 million and $10 million.

What is the goal of Starbucks’ new research center on the farm?

The farm will act as Starbucks’ fifth global research center. Its goals include breeding rust-resistant coffee varieties, testing processing methods, and improving yields alongside local farmers.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Rust-Resistant Research

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui offers complex floral and citrus notes, while Yirgacheffe brings bright lemon and bergamot with a juicy body—both single origins grown in rust-prone regions but selected for cup quality and resilience. For something more chocolatey and sturdy, try the Black Cocoa Blend, which highlights balanced roast profiles suited for exploring brewing resilience. These beans reflect the kind of origin-focused, quality-driven approach Starbucks is researching. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.