“Why doesn’t ØNSK own coffee farms?”
“Vertical integration” has been trending in coffee, where a company owns and controls all parts of its supply chain, from farm to final product.
On paper, owning coffee farms could mean more control over sourcing, quality, and working conditions. But the reality of coffee is much more complex. In practice, vertical integration risks reinforcing the very issues it aims to solve.
For us at ØNSK, not owning farms is a deliberate choice that aligns with our mission to help build a fair, responsible coffee industry. Here’s why.
Coffee’s history needs rewriting
Coffee’s global trade was built on colonial systems of slavery and exploitation. While times have changed, power imbalances remain. Profits and decisions still sit largely in the Global North, while the ones who grow coffee are left with the smallest share and little leverage to negotiate better prices.
Climate change is only widening this gap. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rain, pests, and depleted soils are making farming communities more vulnerable. The farmers, already underpaid, now also have to cover the growing costs of climate adaptation, by investing for example in new irrigation systems or pest control.
Owning farms might give companies more control, but it risks reinforcing the same structures that keep farmers in poverty. That’s why we stay closely involved, but never take over.
Farms are more than just land
Coffee cultivation is not just a job; it’s a way of life. Passed down through generations, the farms are tied to family history, communities, and local economies. Alongside the land, farmers also inherit knowledge about the soil, climate, and coffee that has been built over generations.
When foreign companies buy that land, it’s not just ownership that changes, but the entire system around it. Even if farmers remain involved, their role often shifts from decision-makers to workers, and their insights get lost in the process. Coffee farming is complex, and without local knowledge, even the best-intentioned operations can struggle, or fail.
Land sales are often driven by financial pressure and rarely reflect the true value of the farm. Once decisions are no longer in their hands, farmers lose their leverage and long-term security. And if the company later withdraws, they’re often unable to buy the land back.
At ØNSK, we believe that preserving farmers’ ownership and leadership is not only the ethical thing to do, it’s also essential for the longevity and quality of the production.
Value should stay where it belongs
When farmers own their land, benefits stay in the community. Decisions are made locally, jobs are created, and the local economy grows. This is how resilience and autonomy are built; from the ground up.
But when land is owned by foreign companies, that value is often extracted rather than reinvested. Profits flow up the supply chain to traders, investors, and roasters, while farmers get very little of the final price. This weakens local economies and perpetuates power imbalances in the coffee trade.
We believe value should stay where it’s created. We do that through paying premium prices to farmers and, crucially, having the highest possible farmgate price, as that’s what ends up in their hands.
Change grows from within
At ØNSK, we’ve found that working with local NGOs and farmer cooperatives is the most effective way of operating. These are essential structures and networks that unite farmers, provide training, and manage everything from quality control to certifications. With systems already in place, they make collaboration efficient, responsive, and grounded in local realities.
We are deeply engaged with the farmers: we visit regularly, listen to their needs, and support projects in agroforestry, climate adaptation, and quality improvement. But we don’t call the shots. By working through trusted local partners, we ensure that decisions stay with those who best know the land, context, and challenges. That way, impact grows from within the community, rather than being brought from the outside.
Coffee’s future is built together
Real progress in coffee won’t come from owning more land, but from supporting systems that empower farmers and give communities a stake in their own future. That kind of change requires deep investment in relationships—something that takes time, trust, and long-term commitment. But it’s the only way to build a truly sustainable coffee industry.
To the question “why don’t you own coffee farms?” our answer is simple: we believe in high engagement without ownership, so the people who grow our coffee can thrive on their own terms. We’ll continue working alongside farmers to grow opportunities, support their autonomy, and build on the knowledge and heritage they’ve carried for generations.
Få vores tips og tricks
Skriv dig op til vores nyhedsbrev
og få vores kaffetips og
-tricks direkte i indbakken.