Decoding the coffee supply chain: A systematic review of stakeholders, sustainability opportunities, and challenges

The global coffee supply chain is undergoing significant sustainability transformations, driven by increasing environmental, social, and technological pressures. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR), guided by PRISMA criteria and complemented by a VOSviewer-based bibliometric analysis, to explore how sustainability is conceptualized and operationalized across the coffee value chain. Drawing from 137 peer-reviewed publications (2000–2024), the review addresses four interrelated research questions: (i) the roles and interactions of key stakeholders, (ii) cross-sectoral opportunities for coffee residue reuse, (iii) the influence of consumer preferences on market dynamics, and (iv) the adoption of digital technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and AI for transparency and traceability. Findings reveal that while sustainability discourse is expanding, the literature remains fragmented across environmental, socio-economic, and technological domains. The review identifies emerging clusters around agroecological practices, circular economy models, and digital traceability, emphasizing the need for integrated, multi-stakeholder strategies with priority research areas identified in agriculture, transportation, cosmetics, energy, and packaging. Limitations such as database coverage, potential selection biases, data variability and geographic representation are acknowledged. Future studies are encouraged to innovate and expand sustainable coffee practices to catalyze meaningful change. It also recognizes challenges like cost and scalability in implementing sustainable solutions, underscoring the need for continued research and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address these barriers effectively. The study concludes with actionable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance a cohesive and data-driven approach to sustainability in the global coffee sector.