Starbucks Leads Global Coffee Industry in Paying Premium Prices for Sustainably-Sourced Coffee



    Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) announced today that the
    average price per pound it paid for all its coffee increased from
    US$1.28 in fiscal year 2005 to US$1.42 ($3.12 per kilogram) in fiscal
    year 2006. During the same period the industry average "C" (commodity)
    market price was $1.04 per pound ($2.28 per kilogram). Additionally,
    Starbucks announced that the coffee the Company purchased through its
    independently verified coffee sourcing and purchasing guidelines,
    known as C.A.F.E. Practices, increased from 77 million pounds (35
    million kilograms) in fiscal year 2005 to 155 million pounds (70
    million kilograms) in fiscal 2006 - 53 percent of the total coffee
    purchased by the Company. This represents a year-over-year increase of
    100 percent.

    "At Starbucks, our commitment to pay premium prices for premium
    quality coffee has not wavered over the years," said Dub Hay, senior
    vice president, Coffee. "It's an approach that not only serves the
    short- and long-term economic interests of coffee farmers and
    suppliers; it also serves our needs by creating an incentive for
    farmers to improve quality and increase production. That, in turn,
    contributes to a more sustainable supply of the high-quality coffee we
    depend on to support our continued growth."

    Starbucks developed C.A.F.E. Practices (Coffee and Farmer Equity
    Practices) in partnership with Conservation International and
    Scientific Certification Systems to provide incentives for coffee to
    be cultivated and processed in a sustainable manner.

    Beyond paying premium prices for premium quality coffee, coffee
    purchased under C.A.F.E. Practices guidelines meets criteria around
    social responsibility in the farming community, economic transparency
    to help ensure equitable payment to farmers for their crops, and
    environmental leadership.

    "Starbucks has shown real leadership by demonstrating how its
    supply chain can be a powerful tool for conservation and sustainable
    livelihoods," said Glenn Prickett, senior vice president for
    Conservation International. "By expanding purchases through its
    C.A.F.E. Practices program and paying premium prices, Starbucks is
    providing farmers with an important incentive to grow coffee in an
    environmentally friendly manner. This investment in coffee growing
    communities further helps build local infrastructure, such as schools
    and medical facilities, and contributes to the communities' long-term
    success."

    "C.A.F.E. Practices provides an opportunity to coffee suppliers
    around the world to assess their socio-economic and environmental
    standards while marketing their crop in a profitable and transparent
    supply-chain," said Eduardo A. Esteve, managing director,
    Agroindustrias Unidas de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. "As a farmer, every
    point gained in C.A.F.E. Practices is translated into more
    competitiveness. I have no doubt it has helped me become a better
    employer making my farm, Guadalupe Zaju, a farm that can attract field
    workers."

    In addition to C.A.F.E. Practices-approved coffee, Starbucks
    purchased coffee in fiscal year 2006 through other responsible
    environmental or economic certification efforts. These included
    conservation (shade grown) coffee (two million pounds or one percent
    of Starbucks total coffee purchases), certified organic coffees (12
    million pounds or four percent of Starbucks total coffee purchases),
    and Fair Trade Certified(TM) coffee (18 million pounds or six percent
    of Starbucks total coffee purchases). Starbucks remains one of the
    largest purchasers, roasters and distributors of Fair Trade
    Certified(TM) coffee in North America.

    For more information about C.A.F.E. Practices, including specific
    information about the verification process, please visit
    http://www.scscertified.com/csrpurchasing/starbucks.html. For more
    general information about Starbucks and coffee, please visit
    http://www.starbucks.com/whatmakescoffeegood/.

    About Starbucks Coffee Company

    Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that
    enriches people's lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary
    cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit
    www.starbucks.com.