Fashion
Nespresso will invest $50 million in coffee cultivation in Colombia as it expands its coffee-sourcing programme for the first time into several former conflict zones in the country.
The Nestlé brand said that the pledge builds on its long-term commitment to Colombian coffee and its efforts to improve production in regions previously impacted by the conflict, including reviving the industry in areas where production was lost.
The announcement follows the launch of Nespresso’s limited-edition Aurora de la Paz, a coffee sourced from the region of Caquetá and unveiled earlier this year.
Early indications suggest that the brand will source up to five times more coffee from Caquetá in 2018, as it expands its efforts into areas that were inaccessible before the peace accord.
The extension of the program will see coffee-sourcing for the first time from San Vicente del Caguán, a community that found itself at the centre of the armed conflict.
This region has unique climate, with arabica coffees grown at a low altitude and low temperatures. Combined with the high humidity, this characterises the coffee with rich, fruity notes and fine acidity.
President Juan Manuel Santos addressed the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board, where he welcomed the company’s commitment. He cited the investment as an important contribution to the development of post-conflict areas.
“Colombian coffee is the finest in the world,” he said. “I welcome Nespresso’s commitment to our country, which highlights the many opportunities that peace opens for Colombia.”
Nespresso CEO Jean-Marc Duvoisin added: “Quality coffee, and the premiums that farmers can earn, present a very strong opportunity for the long-term sustainability and resilience of coffee farming communities. We are delighted to bring this incredible coffee to the world.”
Nespresso’s agronomists have started working with more than 500 producers in the Caquetá region in order to implement its AAA sustainable quality programme. The initiative works directly with farmers to improve their productivity, quality and sustainability by sharing good practice, providing technical assistance, and improving standards in farmers’ environmental and social welfare.
The Caquetá farmers will join the 33,000 Colombian farmers already enrolled in the programme, which was launched in the country in 2004 and ia supported by a team of 150 local agronomists. The extension of the programme into San Vicente will be implemented with the support of Nespresso’s strategic partner, the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC).
FNC CEO Roberto Velez said: “We are honoured to build on our partnership with Nespresso, to renew the commitment we have made to Colombia’s coffee farmers and to work together with our communities for a lasting, peaceful and prosperous future.”
Nespresso Sustainability Innovation Fund CEO Guillaume Le Cunff said: “Our work and partnership with farmers in Colombia is another example of how the Nespresso AAA sustainable quality programme impacts not just the production of the highest quality coffee, but also farmer lives and communities. We look forward to expanding our work with farmers in former conflict zones and extending our commitment to Colombia.”
