Environmental Impacts of Shade-Grown and Sun-Grown Coffee Varieties

Sun-grown coffee plants remove the natural protective barrier to pests and reduce bird habitats which mean a greater number of chemical pesticides end up being used to prevent pests and diseases. This vastly increases the coffee output from coffee farmers but this also stresses the surrounding ecosystem and increases and incentivizes deforestation.

Shade-grown coffee plants however, are dependent on biodiversity. This utilizes different types and heights of trees to create an environment that is ecologically diverse and responsible.

Conversely, sun-grown coffee offers no benefits for the soil. Shade-grown coffee is more beneficial to the environment because it mimics the natural way that wild coffee grows. Coffee plants in the wild are part of a balanced ecosystem, so when we remove the complexity of that ecosystem we disrupt this balance. There is greater sustainability with shade cultivated coffee for both the environment and the farmer.

Massawa Coffees supports the environment and the farmers growing shade-grown coffee.