Women-led coffees

Women-led coffees

Women make up around 70% of the workforce in coffee, yet fewer than 30% hold leadership or ownership roles. They’re often the pickers, sorters, and processors, but rarely the decision makers. This collection brings together coffees grown, managed, or sourced by women - from producers leading their own farms to importers driving equality through their work. Each one represents progress towards a more inclusive and balanced coffee industry.

  • What does women-led coffee mean?

    A women-led or produced coffee is one where women play a central role in production, ownership, or management - or where importers actively source and represent the work of women producers. These coffees might come from women-owned farms, cooperatives, or producer groups, as well as importers whose supply chains prioritise gender equity. The goal is to recognise and celebrate women who are driving progress across every stage of coffee, from growing and processing to marketing and export.

    Women-led coffee isn’t a niche or a label - it’s a reminder that representation matters. Visibility brings opportunity, and when women gain access to resources and decision-making roles, the benefits reach far beyond the farm gate.

  • Why does supporting women in coffee matter?

    Although women make up most of the workforce in coffee, many still lack access to land, credit, training, and leadership opportunities. Their work is essential, yet often goes unacknowledged or unpaid. Supporting women-led coffees helps close these gaps, creating economic independence and fairer opportunities within producing communities.

    When women earn and manage income, research shows that families and communities benefit too - through improved education, nutrition, and long-term stability. Buying and promoting these coffees isn’t just about equity; it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable coffee industry.

  • What kinds of coffees will you find in this collection?

    The coffees here come from both producers and importers who actively champion women in coffee. You’ll find washed, natural, and experimental lots from origins such as Rwanda, Colombia, and Brazil, each reflecting different growing conditions and processing styles. Some are produced by women-led cooperatives managing post-harvest processing and export, while others are sourced by importers working directly with female producers to ensure traceability and fair pricing.

Your questions, answered

What qualifies a coffee as women-led or produced?

We include coffees where women play a key role in ownership, management, or production, as well as those sourced by importers who actively support and promote women in coffee. It’s about leadership and agency, not just labour.

How can I tell if a coffee is genuinely women-led?

Transparency is key when telling if a coffee is genuinely women-led. Look for coffees that share the producer’s name, story, and role in the process. Genuine women-led projects are open about who’s involved, how they work, and how the value is shared.

Why does buying women-led coffee make a difference?

Buying women-led coffees makes a difference because when women have access to income and decision-making power, communities thrive. Supporting these coffees helps promote equity, build resilience, and create long-term opportunities in producing regions.

What is the Green Coffee Collective?

We’re a community of coffee producers and sourcing experts, all working together to make green coffee easy to access—whether you’re a hobby roaster at home or a professional roasting hundreds of tonnes a year. Our platform is designed to simplify buying green coffee, just like any other online shopping experience. No fuss, just great coffee at your fingertips.