The initiative aims to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030 as Starbucks marks its 500th India store with an elevated Starbucks Reserve® experience
Reaffirming their long-term commitment to India’s coffee ecosystem, Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks have announced the establishment of a new Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s coffee value chain from bean to cup and empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 through open-source agronomy, global best practices, and sustainable innovations.
The FSP has been set up under the long-standing strategic collaboration between Starbucks and Tata Starbucks, underscoring the companies’ shared vision for sustainable, future-ready coffee farming in India.
Strengthening India’s Coffee Value Chain
Starbucks Coffee Trading Company (SCTC), the global procurement and trading arm of Starbucks, will work closely with Tata Starbucks to deliver training, agronomy support and market access to farmers across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The new partnership will support model farms incorporating global learnings, test new varietals, develop sustainable techniques, and promote agroforestry initiatives to improve crop quality, yield and climate resilience.
Farmers will also gain access to Starbucks’ global digital training tools from 2026, including modules on agronomy, coffee quality and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices. Training on regenerative agriculture and techniques to reduce carbon, water and waste footprints will be embedded into the programme. Over the next five years, Tata Starbucks will additionally donate one million high-yield Arabica seedlings to strengthen farm productivity.
Brian Niccol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks, said, “India is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers.”
Sunil D’Souza, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Consumer Products, added, “With this initiative, we are pairing Starbucks’ global agronomy expertise with Tata’s deep local knowledge to pave the way for responsible and sustainable coffee farming in India.”
Starbucks Marks 500 Stores in India
Coinciding with the launch of the FSP, Tata Starbucks will also celebrate a key retail milestone this week — the opening of its 500th Starbucks coffeehouse in India. Located in Delhi NCR, the new outlet will feature a Starbucks Reserve® experience, offering customers premium brews, immersive coffee stories and elevated store design.
Since entering India in 2012 through a 50:50 joint venture with Tata Consumer Products, Starbucks has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern coffee culture. India continues to remain one of Starbucks’ fastest-growing international markets, with a strong focus on job creation, growth opportunities for partners (employees), and a consistently elevated third place experience for customers.
Sushant Dash, CEO of Tata Starbucks, said, “As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership to life. Our commitment goes beyond growth — it extends to farmers, partners and customers, strengthening India’s coffee culture every day.”
The new partnership and retail milestone underscore Starbucks’ broader strategy to build a sustainable, inclusive and innovation-led coffee future in India — one that uplifts farmers, empowers communities and celebrates the finest coffee craftsmanship.
