Where does all that coffee come from?

The amazing supply chain that supports major chains around the world

We all know that Starbucks and other chains brew an incredible amount of coffee every day, just like the cup of coffee we casually drink every morning.
But have you ever wondered when, where, and by whom those coffee beans were grown, and what route they took to get to your cup?

Major coffee chains have hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of stores around the world, and it's not uncommon for them to sell millions of cups of coffee a day. Even a quick peek into this "big-scale" coffee industry is full of surprises. In this article, we'll explain everything, even in a way that even beginners can understand, from the grades of coffee beans used by major chains to the structure of their vast supply chains. Finally, we'll consider what efforts are needed now to "preserve delicious coffee for the future" from the perspective of 2050 COFFEE.

What is the actual quality of coffee beans from major chains?

Coffee beans can be broadly divided into two grades: "commodity" (general distribution products) and "specialty" (special beans with a high quality rating). Major chains usually purchase large quantities of "commercial grade" beans and process them all at once in large roasting factories to ensure a consistent flavor.

Of course, many companies claim to use high-quality beans, such as "100% Arabica." However, since they handle unimaginable quantities, they cannot simply use "only the finest specialty beans." They collect high-quality beans with as few defects as possible, and roast them deeply to reduce variations in flavor. This method ensures that the flavor is consistent no matter which store you go to.

However, this does not mean that they use "inferior quality" beans. Rather, most chains set their own quality standards and adopt a strategy of "buying in bulk while ensuring a minimum level of quality." As a result, they are evaluated as "not as distinctive as specialty coffee, but consistently delicious."

Where do you source your products from and what routes do you take?

Coffee only grows in tropical and subtropical regions known as the "coffee belt." From Latin America, such as Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala, to Africa, such as Ethiopia and Kenya, and the Asia-Pacific region, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, major chains purchase huge quantities of beans from a mix of these countries.

The typical method of procurement is to utilize the global networks that each company has built. When large quantities are needed, buyers (purchasing staff) travel to each producing region and negotiate with contract farmers and cooperatives, sometimes collecting coffee beans from hundreds of thousands of farmers in several countries . Because the harvest season varies from producing region to producing region, even if there is a poor harvest in one part of the world, other regions can make up for it, allowing for a stable supply throughout the year.

In recent years, keywords such as "sustainable" and "ethical" have become popular, and even major chains are increasingly advertising "fair trade," "Rainforest certification," and "unique ethical standards." The aim is to support farmers' incomes and livelihoods by signing long-term contracts with them and guaranteeing "fair purchases" even if prices suddenly drop. However, it is also true that the degree to which this actually works perfectly varies depending on the company and country.

Large-scale roasting and ultra-efficient logistics

"Buy large quantities of coffee beans → Send to roasting factories in each country → Roast and package in bulk → Deliver to stores around the world." How efficiently they can run this process while maintaining a consistent level of quality is what shows the skill of major chains.

For example, they set up large-scale roasting facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia , where they roast dozens of tons of beans at once. Roasting large quantities at once keeps costs down and allows them to achieve the taste and aroma that are "major chain standard." After roasting, they use their own or partner logistics systems to distribute the required amount to each country and store.

They monitor store order status in real time and immediately ship any items that are not in stock. Conversely, they are making increasing use of IT technology , such as by making precise demand forecasts to minimize unsold goods . Because they purchase in bulk, they are also advantageous in negotiating shipping rates for ships and containers. The accumulation of these systems is the driving force behind this "giant chain" that provides coffee to stores all over the world every day.

The merits and demerits of the large chain system: uniformity and standardization

Looking at this, you might get the impression that it's very rational and convenient for consumers. It's all good, right? But of course, there are good aspects and there are also problems.

The first and foremost benefit is "stability and peace of mind." You can enjoy a cup of coffee that is "very unlikely to disappoint" at any store around the world, and there are many things that "being large" can do, such as supporting farmers with the financial power that only a major company can have. In some cases, costs can be reduced by mass production and mass procurement, and prices can be kept relatively low.

On the other hand, there is also the disadvantage of "standardization resulting in a lack of individuality in taste." Dark roasting often buries the distinctive flavors of each producing region. For those who want to enjoy the inherent diversity of coffee and the stories of each farm, beans from major chains may seem "good but lacking in individuality."

Furthermore, if the coffee market were to crash, questions such as "Will farmers' income be okay?" and "What about the environmental impact?" Mass production leads to deforestation and increased use of pesticides, which will have an impact on the ecosystem, and there is also a risk that the area where coffee is grown itself will shrink in the future due to worsening climate change.

2050 COFFEE Perspective: Protecting the cup of coffee of the future

So how can we adapt this "super-huge" coffee supply chain to a "future coffee crisis"? 2050 COFFEE is attracting attention .
Research has shown that "the amount of land suitable for coffee cultivation could be halved by 2050," posing a major threat to the coffee industry. 2050 COFFEE, with the motto "Making the world a better place through coffee," is a brand that is actively working to combat climate change, set fair prices, and support farmers.

Rather than completely rejecting the systems of mass production and mass procurement, they believe that the key is to take advantage of the power of such large-scale chains while skillfully incorporating "fair compensation," "environmental considerations," and "technological innovation" so that production sites are not left behind. Concrete actions have already begun in various places, such as partnering directly with farmers to support the cultivation of new varieties and allocating part of the profits to farmland improvement and reforestation projects.

In fact, cooperation from global chains and consumer awareness are essential to dispel fears that "coffee could become a luxury item by 2050." If we can create a system that allows farmers to continue growing coffee with peace of mind, we may be able to realize a coffee world where "even major chains are sustainable" and "the individuality of flavor is valued."

Where does our coffee come from?

Huge chains with tens of thousands of stores purchase high-quality Arabica beans from all over the world, dark-roast them to achieve a consistent flavor, and utilize huge roasting plants and logistics networks to pump out millions of cups of coffee every day. This is truly "big business," but for us consumers it is also a welcome system that allows us to "drink reasonably good coffee anytime."
However, behind the scenes, there are also issues that cannot be overlooked, such as wages for producers, environmental impact, and the standardization of taste.

We owe our ability to drink coffee as a matter of course to the rich nature and farmers of producing countries. In order to protect that future, major coffee chains, small roasters, and even individual consumers like us all need to take a moment to think about the journey our current coffee cups have taken.

The existence of the 2050 COFFEE brand should provide an opportunity to think about the future of coffee. How can we update the system of mass production and mass consumption and spread a sustainable and attractive coffee culture? Every cup of coffee we drink is one step towards the answer.

References

• Hoogeveen, Martijn. “The Specialty Coffee Trend: Why Starbucks Loses Market Share.” Iceclog (2024).

• Oden, Garrett. “Starbucks VS Specialty Coffee: What's The Difference?” JavaPresse Coffee (n.d.).

• Starbucks Coffee Company – Ethical Sourcing. (Official page)

• Jaen, Caryl E. “Here's Where The Majority Of Starbucks Coffee Is Sourced From.” Food Republic (2023).

• “Where Does Starbucks Really Get Their Coffee From?” The Coffee Chronicler (2023).

• “Starbucks invests $130m in roasting facility to support growth in China.” World Coffee Portal (2020).

• Wikipedia – “Starbucks” (accessed 2025).

• Brown, Nick. “Research Says Climate Change to Erase More Than 50% of Suitable Coffee Land by 2050.” Daily Coffee News (2022).