In 2024, Eosta started selling the first Fairtrade organic certified avocados. This gives small-scale growers a fair chance in the avocado market. Thanks to the Fairtrade premium, they invest in their communities, including in biogas plants that offer a sustainable alternative to cooking on wood fire.
The road to this was not without challenges. In 2023, hard work went into organising smallholder farmer groups in Kenya. Having a democratically elected board and formalising the organisation with local governments proved to be a big job, but it worked!
Fairtrade premium: investing in the community
Despite logistical challenges due to the conflict in the Red Sea, we managed to sell a significant volume of Fairtrade avocados. As a result, growers received a better price for their fruit as well as a Fairtrade premium. This premium is used by the farmers themselves to develop their farms and the local community.
Biogas as a sustainable alternative
One of the first projects funded from the Fairtrade premium is the construction of micro biogas plants. These installations, placed at growers' households, enable cooking on (bio)gas. This offers a sustainable alternative to cooking on wood fire, which is still common in rural Kenya and contributes to deforestation.
More farmers get Fairtrade certification
Meanwhile, the certification process continues. Currently, six farmer groups are Fairtrade certified, with a total of about 250 members. Together, we thus offer a fair and sustainable alternative within the avocado market.
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