A new academic review of coffee sustainability research from 2000 to 2024 has concluded that while the volume of studies is increasing, the field remains fragmented. Researchers from two Italian universities analyzed 137 peer-reviewed publications for the study, which was published in the journal Sustainable Futures, mapping the key themes and identifying significant gaps in current knowledge.
The analysis found a marked acceleration in research activity starting in the late 2010s, attributing it to factors like climate instability, rising consumer demand for ethical products, and the emergence of digital technologies. The United States and Brazil were the most represented countries in terms of institutional research output. The review also highlighted a lack of research from key coffee-producing regions, including Central America, East Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Four primary areas of focus were identified: stakeholder roles, byproduct circularity, consumer behavior, and digital traceability. The review noted that while consumer demand for certified and traceable coffees is reshaping the supply chain, it can increase costs for smallholder farmers. It also pointed to the significant untapped potential of reusing coffee byproducts, with over 90% of spent grounds reportedly still sent to landfills. While technologies like blockchain and IoT offer promise for traceability, the authors stressed that practical barriers such as cost and accessibility for smallholders hinder widespread adoption.