NESTLÉ IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Nestlé has a strong legacy of investment and trade in the developing world, dating back to when we built our first factory in Latin America in 1921. The developing world now accounts for 45% of our factories and is where 48% of our employees are based. Nestlé is dedicated to a long-term strategy putting business development above short-term returns, meaning that we have become a source of stability and economic growth in the developing world.
With such a strong connection to the developing world, we often receive questions about our practices and policies there and we are more than happy to discuss these.
While it would be impossible to outline all our practices in the space available, we have outlined our positions on some key areas that affect how we work in developing countries below.
- Nestlé is committed to the promotion of breastfeeding throughout the world
NESTLÉ AND INFANT FORMULA
Nestlé firmly believe that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby, and we are strongly committed to the promotion of breastfeeding throughout the world. However, some mothers, for a variety of reasons, do not breastfeed and in these cases, infant formula is the only product recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a suitable alternative.
Over the years there has been a lot of misunderstanding about how Nestlé has marketed it’s infant formula products in the developing world. Nestlé actually stopped advertising and promotion to the public in the developing world in the late 1970s and abides by the WHO’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes as a minimum standard throughout the developing world. Please read our policy on this subject.
- Nestlé promotes sustainable farming practices
COCOA AND COFFEE
Cocoa and Coffee are two of the most important commodities (raw materials) used by Nestlé. Because they require particular growing conditions, most are grown in farming communities in the developing countries. Nestlé is committed to ensuring the right conditions to guarantee high quality coffee and cocoa beans in these communities and to that end promote sustainable farming practices. Through projects such as the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, Nestlé has recently been focusing its support for farming communities around the three pillars of sustainability - social, economic and environmental.
Find out more about our policies on Nestlé and Coffee, Nestlé and Cocoa and Cocoa Working Practices.
TRADE
Nestlé is a supporter of market liberalisation, and believes that a freer trade system can deliver a fair and just global trading system.
Although steady reform of the global trading system means that things are moving in the right direction, there are still far too many forms of counter-productive protectionism that are unfair to consumers, to those wanting to start a new business and to developing countries, their farmers and workers.
While trade cannot solve all the world’s ills, it can help bring people out of poverty and it is worth remembering that poor countries that were open to international trade grew six times faster in the 70s and 80s than those who kept their markets closed.
For further information on Nestlé’s view about free trade, please see the article from the Head of Economics at Nestlé.
- Water tank in South Africa funded by Nestlé UK
NESTLÉ IN THE COMMUNITY
Nestlé’s long history of investment and involvement in the developing world has seen the company become fully integrated into the social, cultural, and economic life of the countries in which we operate.
Throughout the developing world, Nestlé people are involved in the many programmes and projects aimed at strengthening the local community. These projects often draw upon the expertise of Nestlé people with regard to nutrition education, nutrition research and agricultural assistance, as well as Nestlé supporting local charities in their work.
Most recently, we have focused on the impact and contribution that Nestlé and the private sector can make in helping to achieve the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the programmes and partnerships that Nestlé is involved with that are helping to address MDGs such as eradicating poverty and hunger, empowering women and combating HIV/AIDS.
For further information about Nestlé’s commitment to the community, you can download our report Nestlé, the community and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals using the link at the top right of this page.
Community Projects
Nestlé UK funding for South African organisation, EcoLink.
You can find more information on Nestlé's community projects around the world at www.community.nestle.com.
OTHER ISSUES
For information on Ethiopia following the 2003 settlement, click here.
