South Sudan violence pushes away major coffee buyers

South Sudan has lost one of its major coffee buyers, Nestle’s Nespresso, which suspended imports from the country due to the resurgence of violence.

The Swiss transnational food and drink company cited worsening security situation especially in the coffee-producing Central Equatoria region, southwest of the capital Juba.

The communications manager of the company, Jacquelyn Campo, told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that they were making progress until the situation deteriorated but they are closely monitoring.

“The next harvest starts at the end of October, beginning of November. At the moment, we cannot project what the future will bring,” she added.

This is the third time the company is suspending operations in South Sudan after investing more than $2.5 million in a project to revive coffee production.

The project started in 2011 when the country gained independence from neighbouring Sudan.

It debuted its exports last year until the renewed violence in July between rival forces of President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader and recently relieved vice president Riek Machar causing the displacement of thousands of people in the country.