MILAN – Nespresso is set to launch its first Zimbabwean coffee in 15 countries in May this year, a company official has said. In emailed responses to businessdigest’s enquiries, Nestlé MD Ben Ndiaye said the coffee, prepared and packaged in Switzerland, will revive the coffee industry which has seen a decline in production due to the economic situation in the country.
“Right now, that coffee is being roasted, blended and packaged at Nespresso’s production facilities in Switzerland. The coffee will be launched in some 15 countries in May this year. We are excited to be bringing Zimbabwean coffee back to the international market,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s coffee sector is in danger of disappearing as the result of a sharp decline in production over the past 18 years, following a series of economic shocks affecting many of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industries.
Nestlé Zimbabwe last year launched a five-year programme worth US$1,2 million.
About 450 farmers benefitted from the project, through training in Honde Valley meant to help improve the quality and yield of the 2019 harvest.
Nespresso expects to buy more than 95% of the high quality coffee production of Zimbabwean smallholders this season.
The coffee will be available to global consumers in 2019. Nespresso is already working with farmers for the next harvest, where it expects volumes to increase, marking a potential turning point for Zimbabwe’s coffee producers.
