Commodity chain : COCONUT

Coconut Flour and Oil

Coconut flour has a very low blood sugar level. It is also an interesting source of protein: coconut flour contains as much protein as wheat flour, but does not contain any gluten. This holds great advantages for anyone with an allergy to gluten or to wheat and limited access to many processed foods.

Virgin Coconut Oil has been used in tropical countries for centuries in traditional cuisine as well as skin- and hair care. Tropicai Virgin Coconut Oil is not refined, not deodorized, not hydrogenated (does not contain Trans fats), not bleached but cold pressed.

Background History of the Project

The organic certification was given in 2005 for American and European markets.

Local Partners

Coconut producers

Context

The Quezon and Vicol regions are extremely poor.

Stakes

Insure the development of the coconut commodity chain in order to contribute to the development of both regions of production.

Program Description

Various actions have been carried out. The community of growers finds technical support on planting issues (they originate from certified organic seeds). The partnership with the community of growers guarantees minimum salaries as well as an assistance on productivity, on schooling, and makes access to health care easier.

Part of the profits originating from exports are reinvested in a Fair Trade Partnership Fund involving growers, farm workers, exporters and importers. In fact, for every purchase of organic and Fair Trade products from the philippines farmers, 3% goes to a Partnership fund which is used for the social, economic and environmental development. The fund supports various long term programs:

-Schooling of children of coconut growers and of workers of the production units,

-Planting of crops in cooperation with governmental agencies and national institutions,

-Providing for the needs of a local clinic for the growers, the workers and for their families.

Company being engaged in this commodity chain

Tropicai (importer of coconut flour and other coconut products, not member of Bio Partenaire), ECOIDEES, HUILERIE EMILE NOEL