Caffè Borbone adopts its own Supplier Charter, which defines the principles to which suppliers of goods and services and contractors must align, in their direct activities, in contractual relationships with their possible sub-suppliers or sub-contractors and, in general, in the creation and management of the respective value chains. All of the company's suppliers are required to sign and fully comply with it. Caffè Borbone commits its suppliers to make themselves available for an audit on the principles of the signed Supplier Charter. The Charter sets higher sustainability standards and ensures greater control over all suppliers who comply with them.
Coffee vendors
For Caffè Borbone, the supply of raw coffee is a particularly sensitive aspect. In fact, Caffè Borbone favors agricultural practices in balance with ecosystems, resilient to climate change and attentive to social needs, women, indigenous peoples and farmers' families. The first step is choosing the right partnerships with coffee importers, international intermediaries selected and committed to sustainability.
In 2022, the main countries of origin of the coffee used were, in order, Uganda, Vietnam, India and Brazil. Caffè Borbone has always relied on the supply of coffee to large international traders, capable of guaranteeing a sustainable approach to all cultivation activities, managed by small local producers, and marketing. Currently the main references are OFI, NKG, ECON, LDC: each of these companies adopts supplier codes which include requirements in terms of governance, environment and social issues:
OFI
The Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) Supplier Code is based on clear principles of governance and integrity, quality of goods and services, refusal of any form of exploitation, respect for the environment, local communities and regulations. Furthermore, it considers child labor, forced labour, the use of banned chemicals and pesticides, the exploitation of legally protected areas, critical habitats or areas with high carbon stocks as unacceptable.
NKG
The Neuman Kaffee Gruppe Supplier Code sets standards in economic, social and environmental matters, in particular by rejecting the worst forms of child labor, forced labor and deforestation.
ECON
The ECON Afroindustrial Supplier Code requires legal and ethical compliance, respect for human and labor rights, traceability and sustainability of supplies, environmental protection, health and safety of workers.
LDC
Luis Dreyfus Company adopts a Supplier Code which covers human and labor rights, health and safety, environmental protection and business integrity.
In addition, in 2022 Caffè Borbone started sourcing with incremental batches of supply from OFI's AtSource Verified program which ensures:
- Traceability of raw materials, with data and insights by geographical area of origin
- Third-party audits, including the application of the OFI Supplier Code
- Initiatives and programs aimed at the economic, social and environmental development of farmers
In 2022, approximately 10% of the coffee marketed by Caffè Borbone (28,000 tons) came from OFI's "At Source verified" supply chain. In 2023, planned purchases will bring this percentage to 30% with the aim of reaching at least 80% in 2026, involving not only OFI but also other traders with similar certification schemes.
