Australians drink around 2 billion cups of coffee every year, yet less than 1% of the coffee consumed in Australia is home-grown. The Australian Coffee Research Program plans to change that statistic by helping Australian growers capture a greater share of the nation’s premium coffee market, while protecting the industry from future threats. Samantha Beresford, AgriFutures Australia General Manager, Levied and Emerging Industries, said Australia was well placed to build a globally recognised premium coffee industry. Australia’s coffee industry comprises around 40 commercial growers, farming approximately 400 hectares, with capacity to produce around 800 tonnes of coffee each year. “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.”