Belgian Coffee Expert Wins Award in Yunnan

In April 2012, a Belgian coffee expert working for Nestlé in China’s Yunnan province was honoured with a rare distinction: the local science association named him 'Outstanding Science Communicator'—the first foreigner ever to receive the title. His work had helped local farmers grow better coffee for over seven years.

Wouter De Smet, Nestlé’s fifth-appointed coffee specialist in Yunnan, was recognised for his hands-on efforts in improving coffee farming techniques, training thousands of farmers, and supporting the region’s coffee industry development.

Who Is Wouter De Smet?

Wouter De Smet is a coffee expert originally from Belgium. He was assigned by Nestlé to work in Yunnan, China, where he dedicated more than seven years to improving local coffee production. His role involved extensive fieldwork: visiting remote villages, meeting with coffee farmers, and providing direct technical guidance on the ground.

What Did He Actually Do in Yunnan?

De Smet crisscrossed Yunnan’s mountainous coffee-growing regions, visiting countless villages and coffee farms. He wrote the Coffee Planting Handbook, a practical guide that taught local farmers and farm managers about coffee cultivation, primary processing, and farm management. His training covered key areas including growing techniques, preliminary processing methods, and farm management practices. He also promoted better coffee varieties, raised quality awareness, and worked to improve overall coffee quality across the region.

Beyond technical instruction, De Smet championed sustainable coffee farming and actively explored ways to help Yunnan-grown coffee reach global markets. His work extended into the field, especially during busy harvest seasons when farmers relied on his advice for successful coffee bean collection and processing.

Nestlé’s Long-Term Investment in Yunnan Coffee

Nestlé’s involvement in Yunnan dates back to 1988, when it established an agricultural technology support service in the region. This included setting up model farms to demonstrate best practices in coffee seedling cultivation and pest control. The company provided seedling development assistance, interest-free farm tools, and trained thousands of local farmers and agricultural technicians.

Early on, Nestlé’s agronomy team collaborated with its R&D centre in Europe to develop a coffee variety tailored to Yunnan’s climate—the now widely planted smallholder favourite known as Yunnan Arabica, or Typica-based small-bean variety. This coffee thrives in Yunnan’s high-altitude conditions.

Over 23 years, Nestlé invested more than 50 million RMB (over $6 million USD) into Yunnan’s coffee sector. The company offered free training to large numbers of coffee growers and played a pivotal role in helping Yunnan become China’s largest coffee-producing region. Its annual coffee purchases from the Pu'er area have risen steadily, with plans to expand procurement over the next five years and further promote Pu'er coffee internationally.

Why This Recognition Matters

The 'Outstanding Science Communicator' award, given by the Pu'er City Science and Technology Association, highlights the impact of De Smet’s grassroots, on-the-ground education. While the honour formally recognises him, he credited the entire Nestlé team in Yunnan and stressed that the award reflects decades of collaborative effort. "I’m proud to support local government initiatives, help farmers improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the region’s economic growth," De Smet said during the busy harvest season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Wouter De Smet?

Wouter De Smet is a Belgian coffee expert who worked for Nestlé as its fifth-appointed coffee specialist in Yunnan, China. He spent over seven years in the region training farmers and improving coffee cultivation practices.

What award did he receive?

He was awarded the 'Outstanding Science Communicator' title by the Pu'er City Science and Technology Association in April 2012, the first time the honour was given to a foreigner.

What were his main contributions in Yunnan?

De Smet wrote a Coffee Planting Handbook, trained farmers in cultivation and processing, promoted better coffee varieties, improved quality awareness, and supported sustainable farming and global market access for Yunnan coffee.

When did Nestlé start working in Yunnan?

Nestlé began investing in Yunnan’s coffee agriculture in 1988, establishing an agricultural technology service and model farms to teach high-yield, high-quality farming techniques.

How much has Nestlé invested in Yunnan coffee?

Nestlé has invested more than 50 million RMB (over $6 million USD) in Yunnan since 1988, funding training, tools, farm demonstrations, and variety development.

Why is Yunnan important for coffee in China?

Yunnan is China’s largest coffee-producing region, thanks in part to early support from Nestlé, which helped establish the area as suitable for growing high-quality Arabica, particularly the Typica-based small-bean variety.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans from Yunnan

Explore authentic Yunnan coffee with FrontStreet’s signature offerings. The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan Typica is a single-origin lot processed naturally and sun-dried, highlighting the region’s heritage with a heavy body, vibrant citrus and berry notes, plus a sweet caramel finish. For a cleaner, brighter cup, try the FrontStreet Yunnan Arabica, a washed Typica-based bean grown in the high-altitude hills of Baoshan and known for its balanced profile and approachable sweetness. Both beans reflect Yunnan’s unique terroir and are ideal for experiencing the region’s specialty coffee potential. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.