According to a report in today’s El Financiero, the CEO (Director General) of Starbucks Coffee de Mexico, Gerardo Rojas, said that Starbucks Coffee Company (NYSE: SBUX) will increase its ownership stake in Starbucks Coffee de Mexico in 2009.  

Starbucks Coffee de Mexico is a joint venture that was formed in 2002 between Starbucks Coffee International, Inc., a Washington corporation, and SC de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., an affiliate of Alsea, S.A.B. (MX: ALSEA), one of Latin America’s leading franchise operators and foodservice distribution companies.

Mr. Rojas said that the joint venture agreement gives Starbucks Coffee International the right to increase its participation in Starbucks Coffee de Mexico, which has performed well in the Mexican market.

In 1998, 120 coffee producers in the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas became major Starbucks coffee suppliers.  Starbucks serves and sells their coffee throughout the world under the Shade Grown brand name.