Project stems from a partnership between Yara and the Cooxupé cooperative
Norwegian fertilizer company Yara, in partnership with Cooxupé—the largest coffee producer cooperative in Latin America—has launched an innovative project to reduce carbon emissions in coffee farms. The first batch of low-emission nitrogen fertilizer was recently delivered to cooperative farmers, marking the start of this effort. Produced from renewable sources, the fertilizer achieves up to a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil-based fertilizers with the same purpose.
The plan is to apply this initial batch across coffee farms owned by Cooxupé’s member producers in several key coffee-growing regions, aiming to test the efficiency of this eco-friendly farming method. According to a joint statement, this initiative could reduce the coffee bean’s carbon footprint by up to 40%.
For this project phase, Yara selected a representative group from the over 20,000 families affiliated with Cooxupé, headquartered in Guaxupé, Minas Gerais.
This first batch of fertilizer, originating from Yara’s facility in Porsgrunn, Norway, arrived via the Port of Santos and was transported to Alfenas, Minas Gerais, in natural gas-powered trucks. The fertilizer was packaged in recyclable “big bags,” aligning with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable storage and transport practices.
“Delivering climate-neutral solutions is part of Yara’s global strategy and highlights the fertilizer sector’s role in contributing to a sustainable food future,” said Marcelo Altieri, president of Yara Brazil. “Our partnership with Cooxupé is a milestone for Brazil, symbolizing a collaborative effort with a positive impact on nature and society.”
Cooxupé’s president, Carlos Augusto Rodrigues de Melo, noted that using “lower carbon” fertilizers, as Yara defines them in its global portfolio, helps meet global market and consumer demands.
“We export coffee to 50 countries, and our strength lies in cooperativism and partnerships that bring innovation and the adoption of technologies and supplies to our members, thus enabling good agricultural practices on their farms and ensuring food safety for our consumers worldwide,” he emphasized.
Yara’s launch of this product is part of its broader business strategy to develop fertilizers with technologies that “significantly reduce the product’s carbon footprint.” Sourced from various renewable origins, such as water electrolysis using renewable electricity or renewable natural gas, this approach aligns with Yara’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
