The Rainforest Alliance has announced the launch of a new Regenerative Agriculture Standard for coffee, which it said will provide farmers and businesses alike with a science-based framework to measure and improve their environmental and social impact.
From early next year, certified regenerative coffee products will feature a distinct seal, indicating that they come from ‘farms and companies that are committed to enriching the land and the lives of those who live off it’, the Rainforest Alliance said.
The new standard is currently only available for coffee, however the Alliance plans to expand it to other categories, including cocoa, citrus, and tea, during 2026.
‘Critical time’
According to the Alliance, the announcement comes at a ‘critical time’ for global agriculture, with extreme weather and environmental degradation disrupting crop yields and supply chains.
“Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores,” commented Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance. “Now is the time to transition to a new model of agriculture – one where every cup of coffee gives back more than it takes from the land and the people who care for it.
“After years of research and collaboration with farmers and companies, we are proud to introduce a Regenerative Agriculture Certification to help drive this shift.”
Certification pathway
The Regenerative Agriculture Standard will provide farmers with a clear, science-based certification pathway for measuring impact across five areas: soil health and fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water stewardship, and livelihoods. This will be supported by a team of independent auditors, who will visit farms and companies to ensure compliance, following which, said firms will be able to display the Rainforest Alliance regenerative seal on their products.
The Regenerative Agriculture Standard is already being implemented across coffee farms in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua, with the first certified products set to hit the market next year.
As the Alliance noted, the new standard ‘enables brands to make stronger claims based on credible data, strengthen their ESG performance, and meet growing consumer expectations with a trusted Regenerative Agriculture seal that means real impact. In turn, coffee drinkers can make more informed buying decisions and feel confident that their choices will support both farmers and the planet.’ Read more here and here.
