The Rainforest Alliance has released its 2024 Annual Report, showcasing a transformative year in regenerative agriculture and sustainable development.

With nearly 8 million farmers and workers supported across more than 6 million hectares of certified farmland in 62 countries, the organization is driving a global shift toward farming practices that restore ecosystems and empower rural communities.

“Tropical forests are still falling at an alarming rate 10 football fields a minute and the climate crisis is accelerating,” CEO of the Rainforest Alliance,
Santiago Gowland said.

“Now is the time to transition to a new model of agriculture one where every cup of coffee and every bar of chocolate gives back more than it takes,” he added.

The report emphasises the Alliance’s commitment to regenerative agriculture, particularly in tropical regions where 500 million people live near forests and 80% face poverty. These forests are vital for climate regulation, biodiversity, and water systems.

Certification remains a cornerstone of the Alliance’s strategy, offering smallholder farmers training, market access, and income opportunities, while providing companies with credible supply chain assurance. In 2024, the impact spanned:

• Cocoa: 3+ million farmers and workers across 4.6 million hectares in 23 countries

• Coffee: 1.8 million across 1.9 million hectares in 29 countries

• Tea: 2.4 million across 1.4 million hectares in 22 countries

• Bananas: 158,000+ across 213,000+ hectares in 19 countries

Landscape-scale impact

Beyond certification, the Alliance operates 83 landscape and community (L&C) programs across five critical regions, covering over 25 million hectares. In West and Central Africa alone, 404,000 people benefited from these programs, which span 14.9 million hectares.

“Farmers across West and Central Africa are not just adapting—they’re leading,” said Nadège Nzoyem, Regional Director. “With the right support, this isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.”

Key highlights from the 2024 report

• Global Reach: Products with the Rainforest Alliance seal are now available in 155 countries, enough to produce 333 million cups of coffee and 96 million chocolate bars daily.

• Smallholder Focus: 99% of certified farmers are smallholders, with an average farm size of just 2.31 hectares.

• Economic Empowerment: Programs supported small and medium-sized enterprises generating $34 million in revenue.

• Innovation in Certification: Version 1.4 of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard was launched in March 2025, streamlining requirements and improving data quality.

• Environmental Progress: In Ghana’s Sui River landscape, 65% of farmers invested in climate adaptation, planting over 583,000 seedlings and registering 54,000 trees.

• Youth Engagement: Environmental education initiatives reached over 500 students in Côte d’Ivoire, fostering a new generation of conservation leaders.

Looking ahead

The Rainforest Alliance is positioning itself as a leader in helping stakeholders navigate new regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

In May 2024, Europe received its first shipment of EUDR-compliant coffee from India, certified by the Alliance.

“We're growing our movement with urgency and purpose, because the future won't wait—and neither will we,” Gowland concluded.

Read the full report below:



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