PureCircle Announces Latest Stage of Stevia Leaf Supply Expansion in Africa

PureCircle has been working with the Kenya Government to invest in local infrastructure and to build a network of outgrower farmer programmes. T

13 Nov 2009 --- PureCircle has reported that the Group's Kenya subsidiary is the first stevia producing company in Africa to complete outgrower farm training. This is a key milestone in the acceleration of stevia supply in the region.

PureCircle has been working with the Kenya Government to invest in local infrastructure and to build a network of outgrower farmer programmes. This month saw the completion of the PureCircle African Farmer Education Programme (AFEP) for the Kabianga area of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. More than 70 farmers from the local Kipsigis community attended the event.

Niall Deacon, PureCircle General Manager in Kenya said: "We believe the approach we are taking in Kenya by engaging with the local community builds confidence with farmers. The strong local support we enjoy is testament to the win-win relationship of local stevia farmers producing leaf to supply global demand for natural sweeteners. This is an important milestone towards African sourced stevia being available for PureCircle in 2010."