Rainforest Alliance launches regenerative agriculture certification for coffee farmers

GLOBAL – The Rainforest Alliance has unveiled a new regenerative agriculture certification solution, designed to help farmers and companies adopt practices that restore ecosystems while building resilient livelihoods.  

The initiative was announced on 9 September 2025 and will initially focus on the coffee sector. 

Beginning in early 2026, certified regenerative coffee products will carry a distinct seal, signaling to consumers that they are sourced from farms committed to regenerative practices.  

The Rainforest Alliance describes regenerative agriculture as both climate-smart and promising, with the potential to improve farmer incomes by 20–30% while reducing farming’s environmental footprint. 

The new Regenerative Agriculture Standard integrates key principles across five impact areas: soil health and fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water stewardship, and farmer livelihoods. By applying these practices, coffee producers can create more productive and resilient farms while accessing new market opportunities, the Alliance said in its announcement. 

Certification will be overseen by independent auditors, who will conduct regular assessments to verify compliance. Farms and companies that meet the requirements will be awarded certification and permitted to display the regenerative seal on their coffee products. 

The launch comes as global coffee production faces challenges from extreme weather, environmental degradation, and supply chain instability, threatening the livelihoods of millions of coffee farmers worldwide. Smallholder farmers, who grow more than 70% of the world’s coffee, remain especially vulnerable. 

Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance, said: “Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores. 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.” 

He added that the new certification is the result of years of research and collaboration with farmers and companies, aimed at driving a global shift in agricultural practices. 

The Rainforest Alliance emphasized that sourcing certified regenerative coffee allows brands to base claims on credible data, strengthen ESG performance, and meet rising consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. 

The certification is already being implemented in coffee farms across Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua, with the first Rainforest Alliance Certified Regenerative coffee products expected to launch in 2026. 

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