Exploring How to Create a South African Coffee Sector Rooted in Equity and Sustainability
A new research initiative by Impact Amplifier, funded by the Kagiso Trust, is exploring how South Africa can grow livelihoods, resilience, and regenerative agriculture from the ground up. Focused on establishing a sustainable, ethical, and economically viable local coffee value chain, the feasibility study is looking at one central question: Can regenerative coffee farming offer long-term economic opportunities for small scale farmers in South Africa?
A New Blueprint for Coffee and Community
Despite South Africa importing up to 40,000 tonnes of green coffee annually, less than 1% of its domestic consumption is locally grown. Yet, climatic zones in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape are already showing promise for cultivating high-value, small-farm coffee that could shift the needle from dependency to opportunity. Funded by the Kagiso Trust, a long-standing advocate for rural development and black farmer upliftment, and led by Impact Amplifier in collaboration with RedBerry, this Coffee Research Project aims to build an investment case for homegrown coffee that’s ethical, regenerative, and competitive on the global stage.
What the Study Will Explore
The feasibility study is designed to test every link in the potential coffee value chain, including:
- Market demand
What’s the appetite for single-origin, ethically sourced South African coffee locally and globally? - Grower readiness
How can emerging farmers enter and thrive in coffee production, supported by regenerative practices? - Processing potential
Could local roasting and value-add processes create jobs and cut reliance on imports? - Climate-smart viability
What role can coffee farming play in building climate resilience through regenerative practices?
Through detailed agronomic, financial, and environmental analysis, the project will define what it would take, from seedlings and soil health to farmer training and infrastructure, to establish an end-to-end coffee ecosystem. Should the research demonstrate, that Coffee can be grown successfully in South Africa, at marketable rates, and make an impact on small scale farmers, the Kagiso Trust plans to invest further and solicit other funders to participate.
Our Partners
KAGISO TRUST
Rooted in Rural Transformation
For the Kagiso Trust, the potential of this project goes far beyond coffee. It’s about helping communities take ownership of high-value agriculture, equipping farmers with technical support, and removing systemic barriers to entry in the sector. The Trust sees this research as a step toward realising its broader mission: creating sustainable rural economies through innovation and inclusive development.
REDBERRY
Brewed with Global Vision
RedBerry, the agricultural partner on the project, brings deep coffee-sector expertise, from nursery management and out-grower training to post-harvest processing and full traceability. The company is working closely with local stakeholders to ensure that any future supply chain isn’t just commercially sound, but also ethically grounded and socially transformative.
The Project Roadmap
In the coming months, the project will map out how to cultivate a viable South African coffee sector, including the development of a business model that works for small farmers, investors, and the planet. The findings will be used to shape a detailed investment case for scaling coffee production in the country. This project aims to identify and develop opportunities that involve rural unemployment meeting global demand, and where regenerative agriculture can anchor a thriving, inclusive new sector for South Africa. Impact Amplifier will release updates throughout the study’s duration. Sign up for project news and announcements, or get in touch with our team if you’d like to explore how to support the initiative.