Coffee Association of Canada Supports G7 Coffee Initiative to Advance Global Sustainability and Resilience in Coffee Sector

Toronto, ON – [June 16, 2025] – With the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, the Coffee Association of Canada (CAC) proudly expresses its support for the G7 Coffee Initiative, a landmark global collaboration aimed at fostering sustainability, resilience, and equity across the coffee value chain.

Launched in 2024 under the Italian G7 Presidency and led by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the G7 Coffee Initiative represents a bold step forward in addressing in a combined effort of the public and private sector, the critical challenges facing the coffee sector—from climate change and economic instability to social inequities that impact millions of smallholder farmers around the world. Open to G7 members, this initiative recognizes and leverages the key international role and expertise of the ICO and its unique Coffee Public-Private Task Force (CPPTF).

“Canada has a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the future of coffee,” said Robert Carter, President of the Coffee Association of Canada. “As a G7 nation and one of the world’s most passionate coffee-consuming countries, we are committed to ensuring the industry’s resilience from farm to cup—at home and abroad.”

Supporting the G7 Coffee Initiative: Shared Goals

The CAC is aligned with the Initiative’s core objectives, which include:

• Establishing the Global Coffee Sustainability and Resilience Fund: A public-private partnership to mobilize investment in sustainable infrastructure, capacity-building and in coffee as driver of food system transformation in coffee-producing countries.
• Enhancing Coffee Value Chains: Improving productivity, quality, and sustainability to increase value at origin.
• Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Supporting adoption of climate-resilient practices and compliance with global trade regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation.
• Recognizing Coffee as a Strategic Commodity: Elevating coffee’s role in sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship.

The initiative’s initial focus on Africa—with future expansion planned for Central America and Asia—reflects the urgent need to build equitable and climate-smart coffee systems in the most vulnerable regions.

A Role for Canada and the CAC

Canada’s coffee industry stands to benefit from direct engagement with the initiative through:

• Influence in Global Policy Discussions: Helping shape international sustainability frameworks for coffee.
• Access to Investment and Partnership Opportunities: Encouraging collaboration between Canadian stakeholders and international partners.
• Alignment with Global Standards: Promoting sustainable and deforestation-free coffee practices within Canada.

Looking Ahead

The Coffee Association of Canada looks forward to working with the G7, the ICO, and other global partners to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for coffee producers and consumers alike.

“Coffee connects people across cultures and continents,” said Carter. “This initiative is a call to action to ensure that coffee continues to thrive—for the farmers who grow it, the businesses that trade it, and the consumers who enjoy it every day.”

About the Coffee Association of Canada

The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC), which represents roasters, retailers, importers and suppliers, supports Canada’s coffee industry through advocacy, education, and connection. As the industry expert and advocate, the CAC works to ensure a prosperous future for Canada’s coffee community, protecting industry growth and consumer access to coffee.

—30—