vietnam coffee farm

JAPANESE BEVERAGE COMPANY SUPPORTS VIETNAM COFFEE FARMS

Japan has a number of popular beers. I have tried many of them, and Kirin is one of my favourites, so it was a surprise for me to learn that the popular beverage company has been actively helping Vietnamese coffee farmers develop good sustainability practices.

In fact, since last year, Kirin has worked with 350 coffee farms in Vietnam and plans to double their coverage by the end of this year.

But what is a beer company doing helping coffee farmers? Kirin doesn’t just make beer, it also has a successful line of business selling canned coffee – see our recent article by our Asian correspondent on the Japanese canned coffee market. Products like ‘Kirin Fire Coffee Pure Kilmanjaro’ are very popular in the country, and Vietnam is the biggest supplier to Japan’s market, which favours robusta beans.

So it makes sense, with consumer awareness growing, that the company wants to ensure a solid partnership and secure ongoing production with sustainable credentials.

Farmers in Vietnam are being trained in a number of sustainable production methods such as soil management that can elevate them to qualify for certification from recognised organisations such as the Rainforest Alliance.

Supporting Coffee Plantations in Vietnam to Gain Rainforest Alliance Certification

  • Analysis of current state and making action plans by agricultural scientists from the Rainforest Alliance
  • Plantations formed into groups and the nomination of a leader
  • Training of each group leader in the field of sustainable agriculture
  • Training of each small plantation implemented by each group leader
  • Self-assessment within each group, making improvement plan, and implementation

The training is designed to not only help the local environment, but also improve the quality of products consumed as inputs into their own manufacturing process.

The company is training farmers in sustainable production methods, including soil management, helping them obtain certification from an international organisation that promotes sustainable farming. The company aims to extend support to farms in 700 locations, double the current figure, by the end of the year.

The farmer training effort is also aimed at securing a steady supply of inputs for its products. Coffee imports from Vietnam comprise 30% of the ingredients used by Kirin in their products, so ensuring a regular high-quality supply is important for the company.

By working to an accepted standard like the Rainforest Alliance certification, the farmers are required to limit the levels of pesticides and include biodiversity, as well as ensure farmworkers have fair working conditions.

Author

  • Nick Baskett

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    Nick Baskett is the editor in Chief at Bartalks. He holds a diploma from the Financial Times as a Non Executive Director and works as a consultant across multiple industries. Nick has owned multiple businesses, including an award-winning restaurant and coffee shop in North Macedonia.

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