ICT’s commitment to sustainable coffee supply chains strengthened by global recognition
Major Sustainability Milestone Achieved
Intercontinental Coffee Trading (ICT), a key member of the HACOFCO Group and supplier of green, unroasted coffee beans to roasteries across the United States, is proud to be part of an important sustainability milestone. The Hamburg Coffee Company (HACOFCO) recently announced that its CONNECT sustainability standard has been officially recognized by the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) as equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code for 2nd Party Assurance.
Global Recognition for Comprehensive Standards
This recognition, announced on May 15, 2025, highlights the commitment of the entire HACOFCO Group, including ICT, to upholding rigorous sustainability standards throughout their global supply chains. As a sister company of HACOFCO, alongside BRASCOF in Brazil and AMCOF in the United States, ICT plays a crucial role in implementing these sustainability practices in the North American market.
The Coffee Sustainability Reference Code serves as a global benchmark for sustainable coffee production, addressing critical issues such as climate change, gender equity, economic resilience, and environmental protection.
Strengthening Producer-Roaster Relationships
The CONNECT program, which received this prestigious recognition, was designed to foster transparency, traceability, and continuous improvement across coffee supply chains. For ICT, this means strengthening the connections between coffee producers and roasteries through sustainable practices that meet globally recognized standards.
The independent review confirming CONNECT’s equivalence to the Coffee SR Code was conducted in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), ensuring a credible and transparent process.
Impact on ICT’s Market Position
“This recognition strengthens our position as a trusted partner for roasteries seeking sustainably sourced green coffee,” said a representative from ICT. “As part of the HACOFCO Group, we’re proud to offer our customers coffee that meets globally recognized sustainability standards while supporting coffee farmers worldwide.”
Industry Leadership and Future Commitment
This achievement reinforces ICT’s role as a trusted bridge between coffee producers and roasters, providing green coffee beans that not only meet quality standards but also uphold important sustainability principles. ICT continues to source green coffee from origins across the globe, placing a strong emphasis on direct, long-term partnerships with producers.
Through the CONNECT program, ICT equips roasters with the tools and support they need to strengthen relationships with farmer partners and make a lasting, positive impact across the entire coffee supply chain.
Understanding the CONNECT Program
Building Bridges in Coffee Supply Chains
HACOFCO’s CONNECT sustainability program serves as a comprehensive bridge between coffee farmers and customers, fostering collaboration, transparency, and mutual support throughout the supply chain. For ICT and its roastery customers, this program represents a pathway to verified sustainable coffee sourcing with measurable impact.
Verification Process
The program operates through a structured verification process where participating supply chains undergo external audits by certification bodies hired by HACOFCO. These audits evaluate compliance with HACOFCO’s Sustainability Standard, ensuring that coffee meets rigorous environmental and social criteria. Once verification is achieved, ICT can offer customers CONNECT-verified coffee with clear sustainability claims and traceability.
Specialized Projects and Customer Engagement
Beyond verification, CONNECT identifies specific improvement opportunities within supply chains through specialized projects. When gaps are discovered during audits, targeted initiatives are developed to address issues such as farm productivity, environmental protection, or community development.
ICT customers have three engagement options:
- Purchasing verified coffee
- Supporting specific short-term projects
- Establishing deeper connections with particular farmer clusters for ongoing collaboration
Long-Term Impact
This systematic approach transforms supply chains by strengthening their capacity to identify and address sustainability gaps while providing stable market access for sustainable coffee. Through CONNECT, ICT ensures that roasteries can source green coffee beans that not only meet quality standards but also contribute to meaningful, measurable improvements in coffee-growing communities worldwide.
The program includes robust monitoring and evaluation systems that track progress and impact, providing customers with transparent reporting on the outcomes of their sustainability investments.
For more information about CONNECT and ICT’s commitment to sustainable coffee sourcing, visit www.hacofco.de/en/connect.