Nestle Philippines ups coffee bean procurement from local farmers

Nestle Philippines has increased its procurement of Robusta coffee beans from local coffee farmers, following the update of its criteria for buying beans.

In a statement, Nestle Philippines said it increased the procurement of coffee beans for the crop year 2019-2020 by 27% from the previous crop year, higher than originally expected.

According to the company, the increased local procurement came after it updated its criteria on buying beans for its Nescafe brand which uses only green coffee.

"Farmers selling coffee beans to Nestle Philippines have said the new criteria are making it easier for them to sell their produce, and to provide greater volumes to the company," it said.

"Processing time has been cut down, increasing frequency of delivery. The workload of farmers likewise has been reduced, particularly in harvesting, drying, and sorting produce," it added.

In the same statement, Nestle reaffirmed its commitment to assist local farmers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"With NESCAFÉ as the biggest domestically produced coffee brand in the Philippines, we are buying as much coffee as we can locally, and are increasing our direct purchasing from farmers and cooperatives," Nestle Philippines chairman and chief executive officer Kais Marzouki said.

"Through all kinds of times, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, we stand in solidarity with Filipino coffee farmers. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them to uplift lives while improving coffee production in the country, in close cooperation with other stakeholders in the public and private sectors," he added. —LDF, GMA News