Starbucks China will invest US$130 million in a new roasting facility in 2022 as part of its upcoming Coffee Innovation Park in Kunshan.
The park will be Starbucks’ largest manufacturing investment outside of the US and its first in Asia, incorporating a roasting plant, warehouse and distribution centre. The firm has committed to strengthening the specialty coffee industry in China, aiming to operate 6000 stores in China within two years.
“Starbucks has spent the past 20 years sharing its passion for coffee across China and helping to build a leading industry that makes us all proud,” said Starbucks China chairman and CEO Belinda Wong.
“The roasting facilities at the Coffee Innovation Park will set a blueprint for the future of coffee roasting and supply chain management, and further elevate China’s coffee industry, while supporting Starbucks’ growth in China.”
The Coffee Innovation Park will incorporate advancements in sustainable manufacturing, smart supply chain innovation, and technology to help deliver the most energy- and water-efficient roasting operations for Starbucks in the world, while minimizing waste.
Starbucks opened its Yunnan Farmer Support Centre eight years ago to provide open-source agronomy resources to coffee farmers throughout the region. Its new Coffee Innovation Park will source coffees from China and around the world directly from the origin for processing, roasting, packaging and distribution, for the first time in China.