Nestle, the maker of instant coffee Nescafe, and other importers, roasters and retailers are required by Swiss law to store bags of raw coffee. 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. “Coffee has almost no calories and subsequently does not contribute, from the physiological perspective, to safeguarding nutrition.”A final decision on scrapping coffee stockpiles is expected in November. Of the 15 companies that hold mandatory coffee stockpiles, Reservesuisse said, 12 wanted to continue, in part, because the existing system helps buttress the supply chain. Switzerland finances its mandatory coffee stockpile via a fee of 3.75 Swiss francs on every 100 kg of imported beans, raising 2.7 million Swiss francs ($2.70 million) annually to compensate companies for storing beans.

Source: The Express Tribune April 10, 2019 16:30 UTC