Certification seal launches in 2026, empowering farmers, companies, and consumers to invest in ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods

The Rainforest Alliance today unveiled its new Regenerative Agriculture Standard, a specialized certification designed to help farmers and companies build more resilient livelihoods while restoring ecosystems across tropical landscapes. Beginning early next year, certified regenerative products will carry a distinct seal, signaling to consumers that they come from farms and companies committed to enriching both the land and the lives of those who depend on it. The certification will debut with coffee and expand to cocoa, citrus, and tea throughout 2026.

The announcement arrives at a crucial time for global agriculture, as extreme weather events and ongoing environmental degradation disrupt crop yields, commodity markets, and supply reliability. These challenges, combined with growing socioeconomic pressures, threaten the livelihoods of millions of coffee farmers worldwide—particularly smallholders, who produce more than 70 per cent of the world’s coffee.

“Markets need to move beyond a ‘do no harm’ mindset to one that repairs and restores,” said Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance. “Now is the time to transition to a new model of agriculture—one where every cup of coffee gives back more than it takes from the land and the people who care for it. After years of research and collaboration with farmers and companies, we are proud to introduce a Regenerative Agriculture Certification to help drive this shift.”

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction as a climate-smart approach to farming, offering a path to restore nature’s essential functions while improving farmer incomes. Research indicates regenerative farming practices can increase income by as much as 20 to 30 per cent. The Rainforest Alliance’s Regenerative Agriculture Standard integrates these principles into a rigorous, science-based certification pathway that measures progress across five impact areas: Soil health and fertility, climate resilience, biodiversity, water stewardship, and livelihoods. Independent auditors periodically visit farms and companies to verify compliance, and only those that meet the requirements may display the Rainforest Alliance regenerative seal.

For companies, sourcing Rainforest Alliance Certified Regenerative coffee represents a forward-looking investment in producers who are better equipped to withstand climate shocks and contribute to more resilient, high-performing supply chains. It also allows brands to make stronger claims based on credible data, enhance ESG performance, and meet rising consumer expectations with a trusted seal that signals meaningful impact. In turn, coffee drinkers gain the confidence that their purchases are helping to support farmers and restore the planet.

Implementation of the new standard is already underway across coffee farms in Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Companies sourcing from these farms are preparing to deliver the first Rainforest Alliance Certified Regenerative coffee products to store shelves by 2026, marking a major milestone in the shift toward regenerative agriculture on a global scale.