Switzerland to stop stockpiling coffee – “Not essential for life”

Switzerland has announced plans to abolish the nation’s emergency stockpile of coffee, in place for decades, after declaring the beans not vital for human survival., though opposition to the proposal is brewing.

According to the plan released for public comment, coffee stockpiling obligations would expire by the end of 2022, Reuters reports.

“The Federal Office for National Economic Supply has concluded coffee...is not essential for life,” the government said. “Coffee has almost no calories and subsequently does not contribute, from the physiological perspective, to safeguarding nutrition.”

Switzerland’s mandatory coffee reserves are now spread over 15 companies, including Nestle, and amount to about 15,300 tonnes, enough to cover three months of the Alpine state’s domestic coffee consumption.

Nestle, the maker of instant coffee Nescafe, and other importers, roasters and retailers are required by Swiss law to store bags of raw coffee.

The country stockpiles other staples, too, such as sugar, rice, edible oils and animal feed. This system of emergency reserves was established between World War I and World War II as Switzerland prepared for any potential shortages in case of war, natural disaster or epidemics.

Nestlé S.A.

Swiss Federal Office for National Economic Supply

national coffee stockpiles in Switzerland

Nescafe

food stockpiles in Switzerland