Southern Cross University researchers will lead Australia’s largest-ever coordinated coffee research program, a $4 million national initiative aimed at helping local growers claim a bigger slice of the nation’s coffee habit.
Australians drink around 2 billion cups of coffee every year, yet less than one per cent of what’s consumed is grown here. Southern Cross University will lead the new research program to help change that, while protecting the industry from future threats.
The five-year Australian Coffee Research Program is a partnership between Southern Cross University, AgriFutures Australia, Plant Health Australia, the University of Queensland and the Australian Grown Coffee Association. It is the largest coordinated investment in Australian coffee research and development to date.
The program will help growers improve productivity, test new coffee varieties, strengthen biosecurity and explore opportunities to expand production across the country’s coffee-growing regions.
Southern Cross University researcher and program lead Professor Tobias Kretzschmar said the collaboration would provide the evidence needed to support sustainable growth of the industry.
“Australia has ideal conditions for producing premium coffee, but continued growth depends on giving growers access to the best science, varietals and practical tools,” Professor Kretzschmar said.
“This program builds on five years of successful variety selection trials and brings together leading expertise from across the country to solve industry challenges around sustainable intensification and biosecurity, ensuring research delivers benefits for growers.”
Research will focus on improving farm productivity, evaluating coffee varieties suited to Australian conditions, strengthening biosecurity preparedness and giving growers better tools to manage future risks. Coffee is already grown commercially in the tropical tablelands of Far North Queensland and the cooler subtropical regions of south-east Queensland and northern NSW, with potential to expand into other suitable regions as knowledge, genetics and production systems improve.
AgriFutures Australia General Manager, Levied and Emerging Industries, Samantha Beresford, said Australia was well placed to build a globally recognised premium coffee industry.
“Australians are among the world’s most passionate coffee drinkers, yet almost every cup we drink starts overseas. That presents an enormous opportunity for Australian growers,” Ms Beresford said.
“Demand for locally produced food and beverages continues to grow, while global coffee supply is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate pressures, pests and diseases.”
“This investment is about ensuring Australian growers have the research, innovation and confidence to produce more world-class coffee while protecting the industry from future biosecurity threats.”
Australian Grown Coffee Association President Rebecca Zentveld said growers had identified research as a high priority.
“Consumer demand for Australian-grown coffee continues to increase,” Ms Zentveld said.
“Australian growers consistently produce premium coffee, but there’s enormous potential to increase production and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
“This investment will provide growers with research outcomes and knowledge to improve profitability while helping safeguard the future of Australian grown coffee.”
Australia’s coffee industry currently comprises around 40 commercial growers, farming approximately 400 hectares, with capacity to produce around 800 tonnes of coffee each year.
Far North Queensland grower Jack Murat said the investment recognised the industry’s potential.
“Australian coffee is earning a reputation for quality but maintaining that momentum requires continued investment in innovation and biosecurity,” Mr Murat said.
“The research will give growers greater confidence to invest, adopt new practices and continue producing premium Australian coffee that can compete with the best in the world.”
The Australian Coffee Research Program will run for five years, delivering research and innovation to support productivity, profitability and sustainable industry growth, while strengthening Australia’s preparedness against major exotic coffee pests and diseases.
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