Completed Project: Carbon-neutral processing of avocados and avocado oil

Olivado EPZ (‘OEPZ’) is a Kenyan fresh avocado trader and a leading producer of organic extra virgin avocado oil. The company operates an integrated farmer-to-market model, sourcing avocados directly from more than 2,800 smallholder farmers. In 2019, it installed a biogas plant to produce biogas and fertilizer from avocado waste generated during oil processing. Ensuring complete traceability from farm to bottle, Olivado has developed a rigorous farm-to-market system that reliably tracks the quality and origin of avocados at the farmer level. A dedicated team of field offic­ers regularly visits farms and supports farmers during cultivation. To meet growing market demand for avocados and avocado oil, the company has expanded its carbon-neutral business model to Tanzania. Its Tanzanian oil extraction plant, Olivado Tanzania EPZ Limited, commenced operations in 2020.

The loan was expected to enable Olivado to further expand its farmer-to-market model based on Fairtrade and Organic certification schemes, while also allowing the company to provide advance pay­ments to smallholder farmers. Through this strengthened relationship with the CFC, Olivado expected to include up to 5,000 smallholder farmers in its inclusive farmer programme in Kenya and Tanzania, enabling them to benefit from premium prices and more secure incomes. Olivado was also expected to become one of the few, if not the only, carbon-positive agri-processors in Kenya.

SDGs