Airbus Maps Global Coffee Plantations by Satellite Using AI
Airbus Defence and Space has been appointed as the technical partner for the 'Coffee Canopy Partnership', an initiative led by JDE Peet's aimed at creating the first comprehensive and open global map of coffee plantations. This partnership brings together major global traders and roasters to support sustainable, deforestation-free supply chain efforts.
Technical Partnership and Global Collaboration
Airbus Defence and Space has been selected as the technical partner for the 'Coffee Canopy Partnership', led by JDE Peet's, one of the world leaders in coffee. This initiative includes Louis Dreyfus Company, Sucden, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Touton, Sucafina, and Tchibo, with support from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The goal is to create the first complete and open map of coffee plantations worldwide to support more sustainable and deforestation-free supply chain practices.
Advanced Satellite Imagery and AI Models
Airbus combines Pléiades (50 cm) and Pléiades Neo (30 cm) satellite imagery with advanced artificial intelligence models trained on vast datasets. These models have been deployed in several East African countries, covering over 1.2 million km² of diverse and complex landscapes, including shade-grown coffee and agroforestry systems. This capability allows for the identification and monitoring of coffee plantations from space with a level of detail previously considered unattainable, enabling governments, local communities, and the coffee industry to identify deforestation risks and support reforestation efforts.
Global Expansion Plans
Following the success of initial deployments in Africa, Airbus and its partner aim to expand this capability globally, achieving comprehensive coverage of all coffee-producing regions by 2027 through the expansion of industrial and institutional co-investments.
