Coffee, tea and spices mostly come from growing countries in the global south. The local environmental and social impacts highlight the importance of responsible supply chain management. While the raw materials used to be shipped immediately from the countries of origin, today processing stages are relocated there. Transformative companies, for example, support local producer groups.

They provide know-how that addresses local changes caused by climate change and conclude long-term purchase contracts. This shortens trade routes and secures the livelihoods of the people in the growing areas. This improves the quality of the raw materials, especially in the organic segment. Residues and contamination from conventional cultivation methods are minimized.

Transformation in the industry means fair working conditions in producing countries, climate-friendly transport and resource-saving processing, whether in roasting or drying.

The industry includes roasting companies that purchase and process green coffee, producers of flavored and seasonal herbal, fruit and spice tea blends as well as manufacturers that prepare spices for refining or further processing in the food industry, e.g. as seasonings or sauces, and further processing companies. Importers are assigned to the “food wholesale” industry and direct marketers are assigned to the “food retail” industry.