La o privire de ansamblu
Location: Perú
Impact Area: Sustainable Income, Employment Formality
People Supported:
Smallholder Farmers, Women
S-a alăturat NESsT Portofoliu:
2024
Prezentare generală
Organic Rainforest sources organic cacao from lush regions of Peru’s northern and central jungle, partnering with three local cooperatives and supporting close to 400 cacao growers – 30% of whom are women.
In regions where small-scale farmers often struggle with limited access to markets and sustainable income opportunities, Organic Rainforest ensures cooperative members nearly 40% higher prices for their cacao compared to working with intermediaries. This support allows farmers to achieve greater financial stability, which is often out of reach for smaller producers who typically lack resources and influence in supply chains.
Organic Rainforest emphasizes collaboration, working directly with the cooperatives it supports to implement environmentally-friendly farming methods, ensure product traceability, and uphold rigorous organic and Fairtrade quality standards. The enterprise also provides rural cooperatives with a prepayment model, providing them with critical cash flow to sustain operations and compensate their cacao farmers promptly–an essential support for smaller organizations without access to traditional financing channels.
At its specialized organic processing facility in Lima, Peru, the enterprise produces a variety of cacao products, from cacao nibs, paste, butter, and powder to chocolate-covered fruits and superfoods. These high-quality, ethically sourced products meet Fairtrade and organic certification standards for both Europe and the U.S., ensuring transparency and environmental standards demanded by international consumers. Additionally, by carefully selecting new suppliers and testing cacao quality through small initial orders, Organic Rainforest maintains the high standards of Peruvian origin cacao varieties. This rigorous process not only ensures product quality but also supports farmers in accessing better income opportunities, as higher-quality cacao can command premium prices in the market.
Rezultate și impact
45%
of internal employees are women
559
Cacao farmers supported by 2028
40%
Higher prices for cacao growers compared to non-members
“The loan we received from NESsT was key to expanding our organic cacao and chocolate factory, enabling us to greatly expand our business. Their support allowed us to adapt our corporate structure while focusing additional capital allowing us to focus on growth and sustainability as we scaled. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our vision and for enabling this new chapter of our company.”
NESsT Investiții
NESsT’s long-term loan to Organic Rainforest will support its working capital needs, allowing the company to continue sourcing high-quality cacao from rural cooperatives and their smallholder farmers, improving livelihoods and supporting Andean communities to thrive.
NESsT will also support the enterprise to bridge the gap between producers and final consumers by implementing a social traceability program using QR technology. The “Meet Your Farmer” initiative aims to create transparency within the supply chain, connecting customers with the people behind the products they are consuming, while communicating the importance of dignified livelihoods and sustainable farming practices.