Interview with Senol Halfar | Partner & Managing Director of DonRoberto Coffee
from Wolfgang Schmitt
Under the motto “conscious consumption”, how does Don Roberto Coffee contribute to better working working conditions, environmental standards and consumer awareness?
Costa Rica has been a pioneer in terms of quality and sustainability standards in the coffee sector for decades. Costa Rica has opened a new chapter in climate-friendly coffee cultivation and production. The Costa Rican Coffee Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment worked together with Germany, the UK and the EU on the “NAMA-Café” project to produce climate-friendly coffee. More than 8,000 coffee farmers have been trained in low-emission production methods. Improved cultivation methods such as the more precise use of fertilizers and the use of agroforestry systems have resulted in measurable greenhouse gas savings.
In addition to the environment, quality remains a decisive factor. Costa Rica is recognized for its strict rules in coffee cultivation. Climate-friendly production further strengthens this position. Of course, such a pioneering spirit comes at a price, as the implementation of sustainable and high-quality production methods requires investment. We are in an “early bird” phase here, in which climate-conscious and informed customers in particular support this innovation. Don Roberto Coffee wants to encourage this movement. Our aim is not only to improve the working conditions of coffee farmers and raise environmental standards, but also to raise awareness among consumers in Germany. We invite our customers to become part of this movement – through conscious consumption that combines enjoyment, responsibility and a positive impact on the future.
Your coffee comes exclusively from Costa Rica – why?
Costa Rica is known worldwide for its high-quality coffee. A key reason for this is the Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (ICAFE), which has been setting the high standard for coffee production for decades. This institute works closely with coffee farmers to promote innovative cultivation and processing techniques that guarantee both the quality and sustainability of the coffee.
Costa Rica is also a pioneer in sustainability. It is the first country in the world to produce climate-neutral coffee. This means that production not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also completely offsets emissions through targeted measures such as reforestation and regenerative agriculture.
be produced. In addition, coffee from Costa Rica has a special status on the international markets due to its very high quality. It is traded on the coffee exchanges at a premium above the global average coffee price – clear proof of its excellence and recognition by experts worldwide.
At Don Roberto Coffee, we have made a conscious decision to focus exclusively on coffee from Costa Rica. The combination of ideal growing conditions, decades of expertise and a clear commitment to climate protection and quality makes this coffee a unique choice.
Which region do the coffee beans come from and how are they grown?
Our coffee beans come from the Naranjo area, which lies to the west of the capital San José. This is a growing area with excellent conditions for coffee cultivation. It is characterized by volcanic soils, mild temperatures and ideal altitudes, which give the beans an unmistakable aroma and balanced acidity. Emission-reducing cultivation methods are successfully implemented. These are based on sustainable practices such as the use of organic fertilizers, the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the use of agroforestry systems, which include shade trees, for example. This not only minimizes the ecological footprint, but also promotes biodiversity and protects the soil in the long term.
For us, it is a matter of the heart to work with farmers who use these progressive methods. They help to ensure that every cup of Don Roberto Coffee not only tastes great, but is also an example of responsible coffee growing.
How are the coffee farmers in Costa Rica doing and how does Don Roberto Coffee support them specifically?
Despite their commitment to the highest quality standards, coffee farmers in Costa Rica face major challenges. They are struggling with rising production costs, climate change and fluctuating world market prices. At the same time, they are pioneers in climate-friendly coffee cultivation, which requires additional investment in sustainable technologies and training.
Our support focuses on three main areas:
- Fair prices and direct trade relations: We pay above-average prices that enable farmers to provide for their families and invest in sustainable farming methods.
- Training and sustainability: Through programs such as “NAMA-Café” and in collaboration with the Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (ICAFE), we support further training in low-emission and resource-conserving cultivation methods.
- Conscious consumption through education: our customers play a decisive role here. The shopping receipt is like a ballot paper: every decision in favor of Don Roberto Coffee is a clear commitment to fair working conditions and climate protection. Only by supporting our customers can we actually help the coffee farmers to maintain sustainable production in the long term. With every cup of Don Roberto Coffee, our customers give the coffee farmers a voice and actively contribute to creating better living conditions and a more sustainable future.
What problems are caused by global warming and the traditional use of pesticides, and what can you do about them?
Coffee cultivation in Costa Rica is facing considerable challenges due to climate change and the use of traditional pesticides:
- Problems caused by global warming:
- Shift in cultivation zones: Rising temperatures are forcing coffee farmers to move to higher altitudes, where cultivation areas are limited.
- Irregular, unusually heavy rainfall and droughts: Changes in rainfall patterns lead to water scarcity or abundance and affect the ripening process, quality and crop yields.
- Increased pests and diseases: Warmer climates cause pests such as coffee rust (Roya) to spread more quickly, leading to significant crop losses.
- Problems caused by traditional pesticide use:
- Soil and water pollution: Chemical pesticides pollute the soil and groundwater, which damages biodiversity and reduces soil fertility.
- Health risks: The intensive use of chemicals endangers the health of coffee farmers and their families.
Our measures against these problems:
1. promotion of low-emission and climate-friendly cultivation methods:
Together with initiatives such as the “NAMA Café” project, we support the use of sustainable practices. These include cultivation under shade trees to stabilize the microclimate and the use of compost instead of chemical fertilizers.
2. training and knowledge transfer:
We promote training courses in which farmers learn to develop more resilient cultivation methods, e.g. through agroforestry, which stores CO2 and protects the soil
3. sensitization of consumers:
Through transparent communication, we make our customers aware that buying sustainable coffee plays an important role. Conscious consumption contributes directly to promoting the use of environmentally friendly methods in coffee cultivation. With Don Roberto Coffee, we are committed to actively counteracting the negative effects of climate change and the use of pesticides – for more sustainable coffee cultivation and a better future for coffee farmers.
TROPICA VERDE COFFEE
2 euros per bag of the species protection edition go to our projects
Don Roberto produces climate-friendly coffee from Costa Rica.
Together, we have launched a conservation edition of this delicious coffee on the market.
For every pack of Tropica Verde coffee sold, €2 is donated to projects to protect the greater soldier macaw.
What are the stages in your supply chain and what is special about it?
Our supply chain at Don Roberto Coffee is designed to ensure the highest quality and sustainability at every stage. Every stage – from cultivation to delivery – is carefully selected and contributes to supporting coffee farmers and protecting the environment.
The stages of our supply chain:
- Cultivation in Costa Rica:
- Our coffee is grown in the Naranjo region, which is known for its high-quality beans.
- The coffee farmers rely on low-emission cultivation methods that are promoted by the “NAMA Café” project, such as organic fertilization and agroforestry systems.
- Harvesting and processing:
- The beans are picked by hand to select only the ripe fruit, which guarantees high quality.
- Processing takes place on site in modern, sustainable facilities that use water and energy efficiently.
- Transportation to Germany:
- Transportation is by sea in order to keep CO2 emissions as low as possible.
- Roasting and packaging in Germany:
- The beans are freshly and gently roasted in Germany to develop their full aroma.
- We use environmentally friendly packaging that keeps the coffee fresh while minimizing the ecological footprint.
- Shipping to customers:
- All coffee parcels are shipped climate-neutrally with DHL GoGreen. This means that the CO2 emissions generated during delivery are offset by climate protection projects.
Which environmental organizations and zoos does Don Roberto Coffee work with?
Sustainability and nature conservation are core values at Don Roberto Coffee. We work with leading environmental protection organizations and zoological associations to promote the protection of biodiversity, support coffee farmers and raise awareness of sustainable consumption among consumers in Germany.
Our partners are:
- Tropica Verde e.V.:
- We work closely with Tropica Verde, an association with extensive expertise in Costa Rica. Tropica Verde documents challenges such as the protection of rainforests and supports local projects to preserve the habitat of tropical species.
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC):
- We support Whale and Dolphin Conservation and have taken on a sponsorship for the female humpback whale “Salt”. This underlines our commitment to conservation
marine ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity in the oceans.
- Zoos and zoological associations:
- We cooperate with more than a dozen zoos and zoological associations in Germany. These partnerships give us the opportunity to educate visitors about climate-friendly coffee and its importance for species conservation.
What is special about our partnership: our cooperation goes beyond financial support. Together with our partners, we promote sustainable projects and make a direct contribution to climate and species protection. Don Roberto Coffee combines high-quality coffee enjoyment with a clear commitment to environmental protection and sustainable action. Every cup of Don Roberto Coffee actively contributes to empowering coffee farmers in Costa Rica and supporting global environmental projects – for a future worth living.
What feedback has there been so far from partners and consumers?
The feedback from our partners and consumers about our Don Roberto coffee is consistently positive. We are particularly proud of the recognition for the exceptionally delicious and mild taste of our coffee, which impresses with its quality and aromas.
Tropica Verde and other partners value our combination of sustainability and high coffee quality. The partnerships not only support environmental protection, but also the promotion of conscious consumption, which has a positive impact on the reputation and reach of our brand. Customers repeatedly praise the mild yet intense taste of our coffee.
Most of our growth comes from recommendations from satisfied customers. Their positive experiences lead them to recommend the coffee to their friends and family, which gives us organic growth.
What plans do you have for 2025?
Don Roberto Coffee has ambitious growth targets for 2025. We want to further increase our visibility and make the brand even more widely known. An important part of this strategy is the use of a mobile coffee stand, which will be set up in front of the entrances of our cooperation partners – including zoos, environmental organizations and other partners. This coffee stand offers visitors the opportunity to taste Don Roberto Coffee and learn more about sustainable coffee production and our partnerships in the field of species conservation. The special thing about this campaign is that it not only offers customers a special taste experience, but also supports the cooperation partner in species conservation.
This win-win situation creates added value for everyone involved and is an important step on our path to greater visibility and sustainable growth.
>>> Fancy a coffee?
You can buy Tropica Verde coffee here!
Thank you Senol for this informative interview. We are very happy about our cooperation and look forward to a long, shared future!