10 September 2008 - Nestle is planning to grow 5,000 hectares of coffee annually in the Philippines with a particular focus on the Mindanao region, say local media reports.
According to the reports, Nestle is aiming to help the country achieve coffee bean self-sufficiency.
Currently more than half of the Philippines' 60,000 metric tons of demand is sourced via imports, mainly coming from Vietnam and Thailand.
Nestle will reportedly provide technical assistance and will link the farmers to buyers.
The Philippine coffee industry in 2007 is estimated at P21 billion (about USD 450 million) and has a 5% annual growth rate. Nestle dominates the instant coffee segment, which accounts for about 90% of the nation's coffee market. The roast and ground coffee market and the specialty market each represent the remaining 5%.