Government evaluates Nestlé 's request to import Ethiopian coffee

After going back on the decision to authorise the importation of green Arabica coffee from Peru in May this year, the Ministry of agriculture focuses again on the subject and must decide soon whether or not the purchase allows grain from Ethiopia. The African country is a major producer of Arabica coffee, with about of 6.5 million bags annually.
Is already on the table of the Secretary of Defense the Ministry of agriculture and cattle raising, Decius Coutinho, a multinational Nestlé Switzerland's request to approve the importation of green coffee from Ethiopia, which would be the first authorized by the Brazilian Government.
The Minister of agriculture Kátia Abreu awaits only the definition of the technical area of Ministry-which makes the pest risk analysis of the Ethiopian grain-to sign a statement authorizing Legislation or not to consent to import, according to the value found. Agricultural tax of the folder are engaged right now on this analysis, which also involved the international area of Ministry.
The entry of Ethiopian green coffee in the country would meet the demand of the Brazilian industry, which operates in the capsules (pods) and intend to use different varieties in blends. Among them, Nestlé, which will open in mid-December a factory in Montes Claros (MG), with a capacity estimated to produce 350 million capsules per year, and therefore want to import beans from other countries.
Through its press office, Nestle confirmed that asked the Ministry to release the importation of green coffee from Ethiopia, and added that the request for authorisation is requested by Brazilian industry representatives since 2008. He noted that "the planning is that the importation of coffee from Ethiopia, responsible for less than 5% of the volume used in blends of their capsules, is made in a temporary".
"For Nestle, the goal is to make the composition of blends and existing meet demand on the domestic market, as well as to which markets their products are and will be exported," the company said in a statement. The company also said to be investing in research and has already identified suppliers of coffee Arabica in Brazil and conilon to produce capsules with 100% domestic raw material.
A possible release of the importation by the Ministry of agriculture should generate new reaction of coffee growers in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States leaders in grain production in the country. Mr capixaba Evair de Melo (PV), which is also part of the National Council (CNC), asked the Minister in recent days to file the request of Nestlé and disregard all other arriving to the Ministry dealing with about the same subject.
"The importation of ground roasted coffee is allowed, but the coffee beans puts at risk the investments in research and rural extension and the work of thousands families are dedicated to improve every day the quality of our coffee," argued Mr.
The Ministry confirmed that there is a request of Nestlé to import green coffee from Ethiopia, but reported that there is no deadline for the completion of pest risk analysis on samples of the product.
Although there is no formal requests to import green coffee from other countries, there are indications that new demands arise. A CNC meeting ata, 16 may 2014, to which the value had access as a result of hearing with executives of Nestlé, records that at the time the company has already expressed interest in importing small quantities of Kenya and Colombia only in the implementation of its plant in Montes Claros.