Naturally outstanding –
Quality from small, distinguished farms
Often, certified coffees from sustainable sources will have an officially recognised seal on their packaging. However, coffees without these seals may nevertheless be sustainable and fairly traded. A coffee may be produced in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way, but just not have the official seals to show it. After all: obtaining certification can be expensive, and many coffee farms that work to organic standards do not have access to these awards. This is often the case in Ethiopia, where coffee trees are grown predominantly on small farms that use mixed cropping methods. These farms are run according to traditional practices, with hardly any use of fertilisers and pesticides.
Other plants thrive on these farms, too – for example banana trees or coconut palms. These are known as shade trees and are beneficial to coffee cultivation. Therefore, this coffee is also sustainable and environmentally friendly, producing a significantly higher-quality harvest for the small farmers. Dallmayr sources most of its Ethiopian coffees from these farms, and provides farmers with a guarantee that it will continue to buy their coffee, even after a poor harvest or an increase in price.
Our focus on using high-quality arabica coffees benefits yields and income in the countries of origin, too. Washed arabicas are usually far more expensive, leading to higher revenues for the coffee farmers.
Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals:(8) Decent work and economic growth
(9) Industry, innovation and infrastructure
(12) Responsible consumption and production
*Last updated: 01.2021 
