Nespresso has announced a long-term commitment to revive the Democratic Republic of Congo’s coffee industry as part of its Reviving Origins programme, along with the launch of its first organic coffee to the range.
Established in 2019, Nespresso’s Reviving Origins programme aims to restore coffee production in regions where it is under threat and offer rare coffees blends to consumers. Over a period of five years, the company is investing CHF 10 million (approx. $11 million) into the initiative.
In partnership with the Eastern Congo Initiative, Nespresso is investing CHF 1 million (approx. $1.1 million) to provide access to clean water and affordable healthcare to 80,000 people across coffee farming communities by 2024.
As part of its Reviving Origins programme, Nespresso teamed up again with non-profit TechnoServe, the US Agency for International Development and coffee trader Virunga Coffee/Olam International to implement its AAA Sustainable Quality Program in the Kivu provinces.
The programme provides training and technical support to improve coffee quality and productivity, in addition to establishing sustainable farming practices and increasing farmer income.
Nespresso aims to increase the number of Congolese farmers participating in the programme from 450 today to over 5,000 by 2024.
The launch of Kahawa ya Congo marks Nespresso’s first USDA certified organic coffee in the Reviving Origins range. It comes from rain-rich volcanic soils along the Kivu lakeshores of eastern Congo and is described as a smooth, seasonal coffee with a mild, fruity note.
Kahawa ya Congo is now available exclusively in the US for a limited period for Vertuo machines and Nespresso intends to make it available globally in 2021.
The product joins other single-origin coffees in the Reviving Origins range including those from Eastern Zimbabwe, Colombia, Puerto Rico and most recently from the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024
