On The Land
8 August, 2026
National research program for coffee
A NEW $4 million national research program aims to boost the production and consumption of Australian grown coffee, while protecting the industry from future threats.
Australia’s coffee industry comprises around 40 commercial growers, farming approximately 400 hectares, with capacity to produce around 800 tonnes of coffee each year.
Launched last week by AgriFutures Australia, Southern Cross University, Plant Health Australia, the University of Queensland and the Australian Grown Coffee Association, the five-year Australian Coffee Research Program is the largest coordinated investment in 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 Australia’s coffee-growing regions.
Australians drink around two billion cups of coffee every year, yet less than 1% of the coffee consumed in Australia is home-grown.
The Tablelands and Mareeba region is a major producer of coffee in Australia, with nine coffee farms that produce an estimated 298 tonnes of green beans a year compared to subtropics operations which produce just 24 tonnes.
There are more than 559,200 coffee trees under production in the tropics, while there are only 138,574 in the southern part of the State.
Far North Queensland grower Jack Murat said the investment into research recognised the industry’s potential.
“Australian coffee is earning a reputation for quality but maintaining that momentum requires continued investment in innovation and biosecurity,” he 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.”
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,” she 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.”
The research program brings together experts from Southern Cross University, Plant Health Australia, the University of Queensland and the Australian Grown Coffee Association to deliver outcomes for growers.
Research will focus on improving farm productivity, evaluating coffee varieties suited to Australian conditions, strengthening biosecurity preparedness and providing growers with better tools to manage future risks.
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,” she 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.”
