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-fairtrade. 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-fairtrade) 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.

Considerable progress has been made.  Packaging has been redesigned for vanilla pods, vanilla powder and vanilla extract and systems set up at the vanilla processing facility on Ndali Estate to package vanilla pods and powders on site.  When this new packaged vanilla (for Ndali Vanilla and Ndali Vanilla Intense) reaches the shelves – replacing those currently sold– this vanilla will be Fairtrade and organic, meaning increased earnings for farmers.  See videos on some of the farmers involved.

Marketing is underway and positive feedback has been received from chefs, food critics and multiples on the quality of the vanilla.  New Vanilla Milling equipment has been installed on site and volumes sold has increased significantly over the last year.  In addition to this an additional 30 workers have been employed on the Ndali Estate as a result of the project.

Listen to a BBC radio 4 podcast on Ndali Vanilla.