International Coffee Partners Support Integrated Livelihoods and Strengthen Women in the Coffee Sector in 2025

Source: International Coffee Partners – 2025 Annual Report |
Author: Qahwa World |
Date: June 19, 2026

International Coffee Partners Support Integrated Livelihoods and Strengthen Women in the Coffee Sector in 2025

Key Takeaways:

  • International Coffee Partners (ICP) reached 12,819 smallholder coffee farming households across 5 countries in 2025, with a new project launched in Ethiopia.
  • Household income increased in Brazil from USD 16,033 to USD 18,170, and in Honduras from USD 7,938 to USD 10,372.
  • Indonesia saw income jump from USD 2,925 to USD 4,781, while Tanzania increased from USD 1,227 to USD 1,441 and Uganda from USD 1,793 to USD 1,949.
  • The Women’s Empowerment Index improved significantly: from 52% to 63% in Brazil, 61% to 68% in Honduras, and 65% to 84% in Tanzania.
  • 45% of women and 21% of youth participated in project activities and trainings in 2025, with 487 farmer organizations engaged.
  • Since its founding in 2001, ICP has implemented 28 projects in 13 countries, reaching 125,700 households with investments of EUR 25 million.

International Coffee Partners (ICP) released its 2025 Annual Report, revealing continued efforts to support smallholder coffee farmers across five countries: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Uganda, with a new project launched in Ethiopia. Despite rising global coffee prices delivering short-term income gains, climate variability and continued dependence on favorable market conditions highlighted the sector’s cyclical nature and farmers’ exposure to global market fluctuations.

Smallholder coffee farmers continue to face significant challenges related to volatile markets, climate variability, and limited access to services and finance. These challenges are most pronounced in rural areas where livelihoods depend on climate-sensitive agricultural systems and often lack sufficient diversification, making households vulnerable to both climate and market-related shocks.

2025 Figures and Achievements: 12,819 Households Reached and New Project in Ethiopia

In 2025, ICP projects supported 12,819 smallholder coffee farming households across the five countries, with core activities including capacity building, climate-smart agriculture, livelihood diversification, strengthening farmer organizations, and inclusion of women and youth. The “CAFE Legacy” project was launched in Ethiopia, working with 10 cooperatives and one cooperative union, reaching over 2,000 members and indirectly benefiting approximately 12,000 coffee farming households.

Country Households Income 2024 (USD) Income 2025 (USD) WEI 2024 WEI 2025
Brazil 1,157 16,033 18,170 52% 63%
Honduras 2,303 7,938 10,372 61% 68%
Indonesia 3,607 2,925 4,781 70% 72%
Tanzania 3,620 1,227 1,441 65% 84%
Uganda 2,132 1,793 1,949 64% 66%

Source: ICP 2025 Annual Report. WEI = Women’s Empowerment Index.

Key Results by Country: Income Growth and Women’s Empowerment at the Forefront

Brazil: Average annual household income rose from USD 16,033 to USD 18,170, with the share of farmers practicing record keeping increasing from 54% to 72%. The Women’s Empowerment Index increased from 52% to 63%, reflecting stronger joint decision-making and agency at household level.

Honduras: Average annual household income increased from USD 7,938 to USD 10,372, with the Women’s Empowerment Index rising from 61% to 68%, alongside improved adoption of Good Agricultural Practices and Climate-Smart Agriculture.

Indonesia: The highest relative income increase was recorded, from USD 2,925 to USD 4,781, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment through women’s groups and improved farming practices.

Tanzania: Average annual household income increased from USD 1,227 to USD 1,441, with a notable increase in the Women’s Empowerment Index from 65% to 84%, reflecting significant progress in women’s participation in decision-making and cooperative leadership.

Uganda: Average annual household income increased from USD 1,793 to USD 1,949, with an integrated approach combining participatory climate planning, Farmer Field School training, and cooperative strengthening.

Ethiopia: In 2025, the “CAFE Legacy” (Coffee Alliances for Ethiopia) project was launched, building on the achievements of previous CAFE projects in which ICP worked closely with smallholder farmers and farmer organizations to enhance skills, productivity, and climate resilience. The project will collaborate with 10 coffee cooperatives and one cooperative union, reaching more than 2,000 cooperative members, including women and youth, and will indirectly benefit approximately 12,000 coffee farming households. Key focus areas include: strengthening cooperative governance and management capacity, improving business performance and market competitiveness, enhancing coffee quality through improved post-harvest handling and standards, promoting youth and women’s participation and leadership, and supporting infrastructure such as drying beds and storage facilities.

Women as Drivers of Transformation – Empowerment Index Shows Notable Improvement

ICP emphasizes that women’s empowerment strengthens the economic resilience and productivity of coffee-farming households and communities. The Women’s Empowerment Index saw notable improvements across all countries, particularly in Tanzania from 65% to 84%, Honduras from 61% to 68%, and Brazil from 52% to 63%. Activities included gender and youth-focused approaches to enhance participation and economic opportunities.

Global Presence: 28 Projects in 13 Countries, Reaching 125,700 Households

Since its founding in 2001, ICP has implemented 28 projects in 13 countries, reaching 125,700 households with total investments of EUR 25 million from ICP shareholders. ICP worked with 487 farmer organizations, and 45% of women and 21% of youth participated in project activities and trainings in 2025.

Institutional Partners and Estimated Returns

ICP’s institutional partners include Neumann Gruppe, EMS, EST, Café Gold, Kabi, and Nestlé. ICP estimates that every euro invested by its shareholders generates approximately 7 euros in social, environmental, and economic returns, reflecting the effectiveness of its integrated development model.

What Matters: Integrated Livelihood Support and Women’s Empowerment

ICP emphasizes that integrated livelihood support requires empowering smallholder farmers to assess risks, opportunities, and trade-offs in increasingly complex environments. Through a participatory and inclusive approach, content is tailored to local needs with continuous community feedback. Training and technical support are linked to institutional strengthening and inclusive economic development, enabling farmers to manage climate risks and access market opportunities. ICP believes that women can be key drivers of transformation and that empowering them strengthens the economic resilience and productivity of coffee-farming households and communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ICP 2025 Annual Report

Q: Which countries did ICP work in during 2025?

A: Brazil, Honduras, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Uganda, with a new project launched in Ethiopia.

Q: How many households benefited from ICP projects in 2025?

A: 12,819 smallholder coffee farming households.

Q: Which countries saw the highest income increases?

A: Indonesia saw the highest relative increase from USD 2,925 to USD 4,781, followed by Honduras from USD 7,938 to USD 10,372.

Q: How did the Women’s Empowerment Index improve?

A: It improved across all countries, with significant increases in Tanzania from 65% to 84%, Honduras from 61% to 68%, and Brazil from 52% to 63%.

Q: What are ICP’s cumulative investments and reach since its founding?

A: EUR 25 million invested, reaching 125,700 households across 13 countries.

The ICP 2025 Annual Report confirms that investing in smallholder coffee farmers, empowering women, and strengthening local institutions are essential pillars for building a more resilient and sustainable coffee sector. As climate and market challenges persist, integrated development models that place farmers at the heart of solutions are increasingly vital.

Prepared and edited by: Qahwa World – Based on the 2025 Annual Report of International Coffee Partners (ICP).

All rights reserved. Republication with attribution permitted.

Publication date: June 19, 2026

Indonesia coffee output falls for second year as heavy rain disrupts harvest

Dubai – Qahwa World

Indonesia’s coffee production is set to decline for a second consecutive year in 2025–26 as excessive rainfall disrupts key growing regions, although industry participants say cup quality has remained stable due to reduced pressure on processing. Experts are closely watching the Indonesia coffee harvest 2026 to assess its impact on supply and quality.

Arabica and Robusta volumes are both expected to fall from last year’s levels, with Sumatra among the most affected origins after flooding and landslides restricted access to producing areas and disrupted harvest flows, according to Sucafina Indonesia. In addition, stakeholders are keenly monitoring how the Indonesia coffee harvest 2026 may influence these changes.

In Sumatra, the Arabica harvest has shown an unusual seasonal pattern, with the first phase producing less than the later months, reversing typical output trends. Other origins, including Java, Sulawesi, Bali and Flores, are expected to follow normal harvesting schedules but continue to face weather-related disruptions. Furthermore, the Indonesia coffee harvest 2026 is expected to show diverse patterns across these regions.

Despite lower production, quality has been supported by improved post-harvest attention. For coffee traders, the Indonesia coffee harvest 2026 outcomes will be essential to forecast quality and supply for the next cycle.

“Quality has been very good so far. With less production, processing capacity is less strained and each batch can receive full attention,” said Daniel Shewmaker, Managing Director at Sucafina Indonesia. On another note, coffee experts continue to anticipate fresh details about the harvest for Indonesia in 2026.

Robusta harvesting is underway in Sumatra at lower and mid elevations, with other regions to follow in the coming months. Output is also expected to decline due to persistent rainfall, an unusually large fly crop and an earlier-than-usual start to the season. Heavy rains are also complicating drying conditions across key areas, which could affect the Indonesia harvest for coffee in 2026.

Shewmaker said frequent rainfall was creating challenges for post-harvest processing. Indonesian coffee harvest 2026 analysis will be vital for understanding these processing difficulties.

At the same time, input costs are expected to rise later in the year, particularly fertiliser prices, which are being affected by volatility in global energy markets and geopolitical tensions. Notably, these factors may converge during the Indonesia 2026 coffee harvest season.

Sucafina Indonesia said it has expanded direct sourcing in Aceh, northwest Sumatra, increasing access to traceable coffee lots as part of efforts to strengthen supply chain coverage. This expansion is linked to the company’s response to the anticipated Indonesia coffee harvest trends in 2026.

The company also highlighted ongoing sustainability initiatives in Java and other producing regions, including farmer income programmes, savings groups, composting projects and access to agricultural inputs. Indonesia’s coffee harvest for 2026 will serve as a benchmark for these initiatives.

Early indicators from Sumatra suggest improved flowering conditions earlier this year, which could support a stronger main Arabica harvest beginning in October 2026, the company said. Overall, the Indonesia coffee harvest 2026 is likely to be memorable for its challenges and opportunities.

 

Indonesia Expands Coffee Exports with New Shipment to Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA – Qahwa World

Indonesia has expanded its coffee export market with a new shipment of premium Arabica beans from the slopes of Mount Argopuro in East Java to Saudi Arabia, marking another milestone for the country’s growing smallholder coffee sector.

The shipment, totaling 15 tons and valued at around 3 billion rupiah (approximately 180,000 U.S. dollars), reflects Indonesia’s continued effort to strengthen its position in the global coffee trade and promote the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises in international markets. The consignment was officially dispatched on Monday, in a move hailed by government officials as a success story for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

Bagus Rachman, Deputy for Business Affairs at Indonesia’s Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, said the export from Mount Argopuro demonstrates the competitiveness of Indonesian MSMEs on the global stage. He emphasized that more than 90 percent of the nation’s coffee plantations are managed by smallholder farmers, who have become the backbone of Indonesia’s coffee production and export activities. Rachman described the Argopuro shipment as a model of how medium-scale enterprises can become a driving force within the MSME ecosystem, creating added value and expanding export capacity.

According to Statistics Indonesia, the country’s coffee exports rose from 279.94 million kilograms in 2023 to 316.72 million kilograms in 2024, underscoring steady growth despite challenges from fluctuating prices and global demand pressures. East Java, where Mount Argopuro is located, remains one of Indonesia’s key coffee-producing regions, known for high-altitude Arabica beans characterized by their clean cup, moderate acidity, and distinct aroma.

Local officials in Situbondo Regency, the region surrounding Mount Argopuro, praised the export as a breakthrough for community-based farmer groups that have invested in quality improvement and post-harvest processing. They highlighted that Argopuro’s elevation, reaching about 1,800 meters above sea level, contributes to its unique flavor profile, making it increasingly sought after in Middle Eastern and Asian markets. The local government also called for stronger support programs to encourage youth participation in coffee farming and ensure long-term sustainability of production.

Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade shows that the country exported coffee, tea, and related products worth more than 16 million U.S. dollars to Saudi Arabia in 2023. The new shipment from East Java is expected to deepen trade relations between the two nations, opening opportunities for future collaboration in the premium and specialty coffee segments. Saudi Arabia has become an emerging destination for Indonesian agricultural products, reflecting growing demand for high-quality Arabica beans in the region’s expanding coffee industry.

Industry observers say the success of this shipment could inspire similar initiatives across Indonesia’s coffee-growing provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and South Sulawesi, where MSMEs are working to boost exports of specialty varieties. The government’s ongoing push to promote downstream processing, improve logistics, and introduce value-added branding is seen as essential to enhancing Indonesia’s competitiveness in international markets.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer, has long been known for its diverse range of beans, from Sumatra Mandheling to Java and Toraja. With global demand for Arabica and Robusta continuing to rise, initiatives like the Argopuro export are expected to help the country expand its share of premium coffee markets, create higher income for farmers, and reinforce Indonesia’s image as a leading origin in the world of coffee.

Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI)

Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) was established on 1 January 1911 under the name of Besoekisch Proefstation in Jember, East Java, Indonesia. Therefore, ICCRI has played important role for more than a century in research and development in producing technologies and innovations for coffee and cocoa commodities. The scope of research and development covers plant breeding and biotechnology, agronomy, soil science and water management, plant protection, post-harvest technology, machinery, and social economy. ICCRI is supported by qualified researchers, research facilities, and strong collaborative network with various national and international stakeholders.

ICCRI has a strategic mission in developing science and technology to support national coffee and cocoa productions. Besides the achievement of science and technology innovations, ICCRI also disseminates the products to the farming communities. Many of success stories had been produced by ICCRI collaborating regional and national government.

ICCRI was designated as the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (center of excellence) for cocoa and coffee, respectively in 2012 and 2013 by the Ministry of Research and Technology to support the implementation of the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development. Since May 20, 2016, ICCRI have expanded its duties and functions included educate new entrepreneurs based on coffee and cocoa commodities with the establishment of the Coffee and Cocoa Science Techno Park (CCSTP) as a strategic unit of ICCRI by the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education. The highest achievement of ICCRI in 2020 was being named the best innovation institute in research, development, assessment and application by the National Research and Innovation Agency of Republic Indonesia.

ICCRI Vision

Become an excellent coffee and cocoa research center in the world

ICCRI Main Functions

Conducting research activities to produce innovative technologies applicable for aspects of on-farm to processing of coffee and cocoa.

Performing service towards coffee and cocoa farmers, with aims to solve ongoing problems and to enhance transfer of technology.

Improve capacity of human resources and facilities to support research and development activities.

ICCRI Mission

Generating innovations in coffee and cocoa agro-industrial technology related with the user needs;
Accelerating dissemination and technology transfer of innovations;
Strengthening the collaborations within national and international communities;
Empowering and community development to create new entrepreneurs using coffee and cocoa innovations;

CCRI Programs 2021 – 2025

Increasing the capacity and capability of Coffee and Cocoa Science Techno Park (CCSTP);
Supporting the development of coffee and cocoa technology in central production areas;
Strengthening community development in coffee and cocoa production center;
Innovating mitigation technology and adaptation to environmental, especially, climate changes;
Self-sufficiency in seed production and marketing innovation;
Socializing of high productivity coffee and cocoa cultivation technology.
Establishing Personnel Certification Institute;
Developing for small-scale downstream industries;
Optimizing human resources towards human capital 2020-2025 and improving employee welfare.

ICCRI

Pusat Penelitian Kopi & Kakao Indonesia

Jl. PB. Sudirman 90, Jember 68118
Telp : (62331) 757130, 757132
Fax : (0331) – 757131
E-Mail : [email protected]

Cultivating Change: Empowering Indonesian Coffee Farmers with Komasti Varieties

In recent years, Indonesia, a global coffee powerhouse, has grappled with the challenges of climate change and an increase in pests and diseases affecting coffee production. For the 2023/24 season, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) has forecasted a 32% drop in Indonesian coffee exports due to supply shortages caused by heavy rainfall disrupting the production process and diminishing yields.

Addressing these challenges head-on, the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) has embarked on agricultural research endeavors. One significant breakthrough is Komasti, an arabica variety celebrated for its robust disease resistance and high yield potential. While officially introduced in 2013, Komasti has struggled to gain traction among farmers due to limited awareness, testing, and accessibility.

In 2022, ICCRI joined forces with World Coffee Research (WCR) to initiate a demonstration plot program in West Java, aiming to showcase Komasti’s exceptional performance to local farmers.

“We envision building a thriving coffee community around these demonstration plots—this program could set the gold standard for arabica coffee cultivation in Indonesia,” says one enthusiastic proponent.

In its initial phase, WCR, with support from industry partners Frinsa Agrolestari and PT Sucafina Indonesia, established the demonstration plots and oversaw their first year. As the program advances into 2023, these partners will assume local management and continue monitoring the project’s development.

While the inaugural harvest is anticipated between May and July of 2025, Nuzul Qudri, WCR’s Regional Project Manager in Asia, notes that farmers in the vicinity of the demo plots have already shown interest in Komasti. They’ve observed its vigor during the early growth stages, surpassing existing local varieties.

ICCRI is confident that the demonstration plots will effectively convey to farmers that Komasti can deliver higher yields than the currently prevalent varieties in Indonesia. This is a crucial factor in enabling farmers to adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.

Furthermore, ICCRI intends to expand the demo plot program into other arabica and robusta growing regions, ensuring the efficient distribution of their innovative varieties.

Dini Astika Sari, Director of ICCRI, underscores the importance of disseminating these new varieties: “The dissemination of our new variety is a pivotal step towards sustainable coffee production in Indonesia. By introducing farmers and coffee stakeholders to our superior variety through this program, we aim to provide growers with better planting materials, boost their income, and foster a resilient coffee community around the demonstration plots. This program could very well become a beacon for exceptional arabica coffee cultivation in Indonesia.”