The South African coffee industry is fast finding its place in the global market with demand expected to rise from 10 million to 12 million tonnes worldwide by 2032. One coffee collective, with members from the KZN South Coast, is rising to meet that demand, and a partnership with vida e caffè will see Redberry Coffee supplied at stores throughout the province from 8 November 2023.
“We would like to congratulate the Redberry Coffee Collective on this important partnership,” commented Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The KZN South Coast’s agricultural sector is well-established, and it’s exciting to see new developments and investment opportunities emerging. There is a growing demand for quality coffee and the KZN South Coast is ready to deliver!”
The latest seasonal blend of home-grown RedBerry coffee can now be found at vida e caffè, the renowned South African coffee brand. RedBerry is a 100% Arabica coffee cultivated by the RedBerry Collective emanating from the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Zululand, and Mpumalanga. This delectable coffee has a rich and distinct flavour reflective of the South African landscape and the people who nurture it.
RedBerry Coffee Collective, driven by Dylan Cumming of Beaver Creek Coffee Estate near Port Edward on the KZN South Coast, consists of close to 50 members nationwide. Cumming himself is a third-generation coffee grower, leveraging this extensive agricultural knowledge to meet the international demand, while also empowering local farmers. The collective supports start-up coffee farmers by providing agronomic services to strengthen the existing value chain. This commitment to sustainability extends to the ethical sourcing of coffee beans with RedBerry dedicated to a greener future.
“We are very excited about showcasing our RedBerry coffee at vida stores,” says Cumming. “This is a massive opportunity for us to show the fruits of our work. We’ve chosen some of our best coffee from this season for vida, which is about 100 000 cups of coffee that people will get to taste of 100% South African coffee. There couldn’t be any better partner than vida e caffè.”
Beyond its focus on sustainability, Cumming said several other factors set the RedBerry blend apart: “RedBerry is exclusively crafted from Arabica beans which are renowned for their superior flavour and quality and, being home-grown in South Africa ensures coffee lovers are enjoying the freshest and most authentic taste. We also have a team of skilled baristas who have meticulously developed the RedBerry coffee, guaranteeing a consistent and exceptional coffee experience with every cup!”
Darren Levy, CEO of vida e caffè explains: “We are really proud to announce that in early November, people can visit our stores and ask for RedBerry. We have purchased the entire crop, which is still quite small. However, a lot more will be grown, harvested, and produced in the future. Not just for vida but hopefully for a wider market. We are excited by this opportunity to support our local farmers and for you to come to a Vida store and try RedBerry.”
Beaver Creek Coffee Estate, a member of the RedBerry Coffee Collective, is not only a local producer of premium-grade coffee, it also forms part of the SCTIE’s Agri Tours packages, giving visitors an authentic, farm-based experience on the KZN South Coast.
The Buy Local campaign continues to support the rural sector’s inclusion in the local economy by developing platforms and business connections for SMMEs such as those between crafters, farmers, and growers with retailers. To support the Buy Local campaign, find out more about members, or become a member, visit Buy Local on the www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za website or click here for a membership form.
To find out more about these and more investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email [email protected] or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. To become a Buy Local member or find out more, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.
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