Intersnack

Intersnack, a major European producer of nuts and snacks, are working with FairMatch Support and the Max Havelaar Foundation to reintroduce African peanuts to the European market.

Peanuts are a hugely important crop for rural families in Africa being a key source of both nutrition and income and an important crop for soil fertility management. The goal of this project is to support those families in seizing the full potential of this cultivation by creating new market opportunities, improving quality while lowering the health risk associated to the mishandling of the product, sharing knowledge and investing in the development of the nuts industry in the country.

In the 1960s Africa accounted for around 75% of the global raw peanut trade, but by 2005 this figure has collapsed to 5%. Increasingly stringent European food safety standards have pushed many
smallholder farmers out of the international market due to the high aflatoxin levels of their produce
In spite of the almost evaporated export market, the local African markets for peanuts are still very important as, next to beans, they are the main source of digestible protein, cooking oil and vitamins. Aflatoxin is not treated as an issue either by the government or by producers, as a consequence no measures are taking place to improve quality and safety of the product.

The idea behind this project is not only to introduce African peanuts in the European market, where they willachieve far better prices, but to support producers in improving the quality of their produce and enable them to sell safe, aflatoxin-free peanuts in local markets as well.  As the development of a formal peanuts sector in Africa is hindered by low productivity, lack of infrastructure, organization and knowledge on good agricultural and processing practices, the establishment of a solid and reliable chain is key to enable farmers to seize the potential of the market and protect the health of their communities.

This project will revive the export of peanuts from Africa with sufficient volume and quality, leading to increased income, employment, added value and health benefits for Africans families and communities.