Ndali (UK) and Ndali Estate Uganda - Vanilla

Ndali (UK) and Ndali Estate Uganda are working together to develop a range of high quality Ugandan sourced vanilla products. Ndali has strong links to 1,200 small farmers in Western Uganda, members of  Mubuku Vanilla Farmers Association, who grow 80-100t vanilla pa. At present about 15t of the green vanilla (20% of Mubuku’s total production) purchased is sold as Fairtrade, and 10-25t (8-30%) as organic non-FT. The former portion of the crop generates significant benefits for farmers: a guaranteed minimum price currently four times the conventional price, and a social premium. For organic (non-FT) green vanilla, Ndali pays the farmers 15-25% above conventional prices, depending on export-market conditions. The remaining 40-55t (70-50%) is bought at local open market (conventional) prices by both Ndali and other buyers. None of Mubuku’s crop is currently sold as organic Fairtrade combined, which fetches a further $0.50/kg for the farmer. There is plenty of room to increase three qualities of vanilla sales: (i) Fairtrade (ii) organic and (iii) organic Fairtrade - all will directly increase farmer incomes by substantial amounts, specifically the four-fold price jump from conventional to Fairtrade.

The project is supporting a process of upgrading and redeveloping several aspects of the Ndali business to generate growth and includes the following:

• A marketing initiative to expand communication of the Ndali Vanilla brand, already respected by connoisseurs, and given major celebrity-chef endorsement;
• a re-branding process, adding new products and redesigning existing product packaging in its range to create a full, creative mix of Fairtrade vanilla products under an improved Ndali brand. This includes a pure vanilla powder made from finely ground gourmet beanswith investment in the factory to add processing capacity, including more controlled drying, milling and packaging systems;
• relocation of all packaging to the Uganda factory site, reducing costs and facilitating the products to enter additional markets;
• development of management systems including computer and information systems, and procedural systems in the factory such as HACCP.