Löfbergs’ regenerative agroforestry initiative shifts from reducing to restoring

Building on more than a century of work to advance sustainability in the coffee sector – and after two years of co-developing a regenerative agroforestry sourcing model together with GrowGrounds – Löfbergs is now entering the next phase: scaling real-world restoration across key coffee landscapes.

The Swedish-based family-owned coffee roaster is investing directly in the regions where its coffee is grown, through a partnership it has helped shape from the very beginning. By supporting farmers to integrate shade trees, fruit species and native plants into their coffee systems, the model strengthens soil health, biodiversity and climate resilience — laying the foundation for regenerated coffee landscapes.

The goal is clear: restore nature, improve farmer resilience and secure high-quality coffee for future generations.

Restoration as a business necessity

Climate change is already affecting coffee farmers in regions that supply Löfbergs. More frequent heatwaves, shifting rainfall patterns and declining soil health have created a need for deeper, landscape-level solutions.

“Farmers we’ve worked with for decades are seeing the effects of a changing climate. If we want stable access to good coffee in the long run, we must help rebuild the ecosystems that make coffee possible. Supporting landscape restoration in our supply chain is a very effective way to do that,” says Anders Fredriksson, CEO at Löfbergs.

Two years of development, now being implemented in the field

The collaboration is not new for Löfbergs. Since 2023, Löfbergs and GrowGrounds have worked side-by-side to design, test and refine a regenerative agroforestry model together with farming communities in Brazil. What began as joint development has now evolved into full implementation on farms that deliver directly into Löfbergs’ supply.

Regenerating coffee landscapes across Brazil

Together with GrowGrounds and long-standing partners such as Cooxupé and Expocacer, Löfbergs is now supporting landscape restoration by implementing diversified agroforestry systems on coffee farms.

The first restored areas represent several dozen football fields of coffee land, where farmers have transitioned from exposed monoculture to more biodiverse, climate-resilient agroforestry systems.

Early field observations show:

• Cooler soil temperatures under shade
• Improved moisture retention
• Better plant resilience during heat and drought

These results form the base for a longer-term regional transformation.

A new model for climate-smart sourcing

Löfbergs’ approach delivers three clear advantages:

1. A more resilient and stable supply chain. Trees improve microclimates, soil structure and water retention, key factors in protecting coffee yields in a warming climate.
2. Climate impact inside Löfbergs’ own value chain. All restored plots are monitored using GPS, photos and digital field data. Climate impact is therefore documented where Löfbergs actually sources coffee – not purchased externally as offsets.
3. Transparent farmer benefits. Farmers receive the majority share of the climate financing generated by the restored areas.

In simple terms: most of the value created through this climate action goes directly to the farmers, providing a new and important income stream.

A practical path forward for the coffee industry

“When farmers can grow more resilient coffee while earning additional income, and when we as a buyer gain a more stable supply and clear, verifiable climate impact, it becomes obvious that this is the right direction. Landscape restoration can offer a practical solution to a very real business challenge,” says Kajsa-Lisa Ljudén, head of sustainability at Löfbergs.

By investing directly in field-level improvements, rather than relying on external carbon offsets, Löfbergs is contributing to a more transparent, resilient and climate-smart coffee industry.