Austrian Delegation Visits Pu'er's Coffee Industry

Pu’er has long been known for its tea—but a recent visit by an Austrian city delegation proves it’s also making waves in the global coffee scene. From February 7 to 9, a team led by Mayor Bernhard Müller of Vienna New City traveled to Pu’er, Yunnan, to inspect the region’s coffee industry firsthand.

In just three days, the delegation visited four key sites in Simao District to assess Pu’er’s coffee capabilities—seeing farms, processing companies, and national quality labs—all to understand why this area is being called one of the best coffee-growing regions in the world.

Why Pu’er Is on Austria’s Coffee Radar

Mayor Müller and his team came to Pu’er after hearing it’s home to some of China’s top coffee-growing land. During their visit, they learned that Pu’er isn’t just ideal for coffee—it’s recognized internationally as producing “some of the highest-quality coffee beans in the world.” The region benefits from prime growing conditions that have helped it become a key part of China’s coffee strategy.

What the Delegation Saw in Pu’er

The group toured several important sites over three days:

• Nandaohe Coffee Demonstration Farm in Simao District
• Sanglait Coffee Company
• Manlaojiang Coffee Company
• The National Pu’er Tea Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center

These visits gave the Austrian officials a close-up look at Pu’er’s coffee cultivation, processing techniques, and quality control infrastructure—core elements that contribute to the region’s reputation for high-quality beans.

High-Level Talks on Coffee and Cooperation

On February 7, Pu’er Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor Li Xiaoping met with Mayor Müller and his delegation. The talks highlighted mutual interests in coffee and broader collaboration.

Li Xiaoping emphasized Pu’er’s natural advantages for coffee growing and its strategic goals to become China’s “Coffee Capital.” He noted that coffee and tea both thrive in the region, and the city has partnered with major global coffee players. He specifically mentioned long-term cooperation with Nestlé, which has worked with Pu’er for nearly 20 years, and a new strategic agreement signed last year with Starbucks.

Mayor Müller described the visit as a historic moment for both cities. He introduced Vienna New City as home to Vienna’s oldest coffeehouse and stressed Austria’s deep cultural, industrial, and trade ties with China. He expressed admiration for Pu’er’s natural beauty, coffee farms, and people, saying the group had “reached its goals and fallen in love with the place.” He also extended a formal invitation for a Pu’er delegation to visit Vienna New City to further discussions on multi-sector cooperation.

Pu’er’s Coffee Industry Today

Pu’er has made coffee a key part of its green development strategy. The city now grows more than half of Yunnan’s—and more than half of China’s—coffee, thanks to leadership from major companies. Two world-class coffee firms currently collaborate with Pu’er: Nestlé, with nearly two decades of partnership, and Starbucks, which signed a strategic cooperation agreement in 2023.

The region’s coffee is praised for its premium quality, and Pu’er aims to not only grow top-tier beans but also build a strong local coffee culture. The goal is clear: to establish Pu’er as a leading name in both production and appreciation of specialty coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Austrian city sent a delegation to Pu’er to study coffee?

The delegation was led by Mayor Bernhard Müller from Vienna New City (Wiener Neustadt), Austria. The group visited Pu’er from February 7 to 9, 2024, to explore the region’s coffee production and potential collaboration opportunities.

What coffee farms and companies did the Austrian delegation visit in Pu’er?

The delegation toured Nandaohe Coffee Demonstration Farm, Sanglait Coffee Company, Manlaojiang Coffee Company, and the National Pu’er Tea Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center in Simao District during their three-day visit.

What are Pu’er’s goals for its coffee industry?

Pu’er aims to become China’s “Coffee Capital” by leveraging its ideal coffee-growing conditions. The city has prioritized eco-friendly, green development and now produces over half of Yunnan’s and China’s coffee. It also works with global brands like Nestlé and Starbucks to boost quality and industry standards.

Has Vienna New City worked with China before?

Yes. Mayor Müller noted that Vienna New City has long supported the development of Austria-China relations, and the coffee-focused visit continues that tradition. He also invited Pu’er to send a return delegation to discuss further cooperation.

Which international coffee companies are partnered with Pu’er?

Pu’er has partnerships with Nestlé, which has been collaborating with the region for almost 20 years, and Starbucks, which signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Pu’er in 2023.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Exploration

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