86 Chapter 86
Chapter 86: Coffee
In the foothills of Mount Kenya, Ernst embarked on the construction of a coffee plantation. Coffee, being a popular beverage in Europe, America, and the Middle East, had a vast market potential.
Historically, Kenya had not been known for coffee production until the late 19th century when British colonists introduced high-quality coffee varieties from abroad. Ernst decided to establish coffee plantations in advance, taking advantage of Kenya's favorable natural conditions.
Kenya was actually the birthplace of coffee, originally coming from Ethiopia to the north, but coffee hadn't thrived in Kenya until modern times. There were limited coffee trees introduced by Arabs from Yemen in the past, but they were not cultivated on a large scale.
Ernst, drawing from his previous life's knowledge, decided to introduce coffee varieties from Brazil to Kenya. The region around Mount Kenya, characterized by its eastern plateau terrain with altitudes ranging from 1400 to 2000 meters, was deemed suitable for coffee cultivation.
The planned scale of the first coffee plantation exceeded 28,000 mu (approximately 18,667 hectares). While Ernst might not compete directly with major coffee-producing countries like Britain and France, he aimed to dominate the German coffee market.
Most colonial powers, such as Britain and France, had their own coffee plantations in their colonies. However, the countries in the German region lacked overseas colonies and were not conducive to coffee production, creating an opportunity for Ernst.
Kenyan coffee was renowned for its quality due to favorable natural conditions. Labor costs were significantly lower in East Africa compared to British and French colonies. Ernst was willing to accept slightly lower profits while providing employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
The cultivation of coffee required at least three years from planting to fruiting, making it a long-term investment. However, the East African colonies could support the cultivation of such crops. Ernst aimed to tap into the German coffee market, capitalizing on East Africa's location along the west coast of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Goods could be efficiently transported to the Austro-Hungarian Empire via Trieste, then distributed throughout the German region and the Austro-Hungarian Empire using existing railway networks. Ernst also considered the possibility of establishing a coffee trade route with the Far East, as the region showed increasing interest in coffee consumption.
Ernst believed that as Japan continued its efforts to westernize and integrate into the "civilized world," the demand for coffee in Japan would grow. He planned to produce instant coffee in Kenya, which could be exported to Japan. Ernst intended to add sugar and flavorings to cater to Japanese tastes, gradually introducing them to the world of coffee.
Kenyan coffee would be divided into two categories: high-quality coffee for Europe and lower-quality coffee for the Japanese market. This strategy would allow Kenyan coffee to gain a reputation in Europe, making it easier to penetrate the Japanese market.
Ernst also considered opening pheasant universities in Europe to attract Japanese students, offering lower tuition fees and earning funds from Japan. He saw this as an opportunity to strengthen relations with Japan while benefiting financially.
Ernst's plans aimed to maximize profits from the coffee industry and establish a foothold in the global coffee market, all while advancing his own strategic interests.
(End of Chapter 86)
