We believe in Fair Trade – making conscious choices for a better world

Fair Trade is a social movement about decent working conditions, reasonable wages, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in third-world countries. Olivado are proud to be certified as a Fair Trade business.

Olivado believe in equality, fairness, and accountability.

We believe that a good standard of regular income for our workers is not only the right thing to do, but essential in today’s modern world.

New Zealand has a long and proud tradition of fighting for human rights, and as a Kiwi company, we want to help spread those rights to other parts of the world.

By dedicating our business to Fair Trade practice, we are showing our commitment to supporting workers across the globe.

Fair Trade

What is fair trade

Fair Trade is a social movement whose stated goal is to help producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions and to promote sustainable farming.

The movement is about decent working conditions, reasonable wages, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in third-world countries.

Fair Trade aims to address the injustices of traditional trade, which historically has discriminated against the poorest and weakest producers.

Fair Trade is more than just about pricing. It is a real and tangible fight against poverty, discrimination, and climate change.

The movement highlights the need for change in the world and shows how a business can put people first and still be successful.

Avocado picking

Our Kenya story

As Olivado began to grow in the mid-2000s, it became clear our avocado supply in New Zealand wasn’t going to do the job for the growing international demand. It was then we started to look overseas for a larger and more reliable source.

After looking at possibilities in such places as Australia and South America, we decided on the central highlands of Kenya for our new factory and began work on a second avocado production plant.

Our new facility near Nairobi was launched in 2007, and within six months we had sourced over 700 small farm holdings from local farmers.

The success continued, and in 2010 we built another factory in Murang’a, near Thika. With 1,350 small farm holdings now supplying us with avocados, we have a capacity in Kenya of 900MT of organic extra virgin avocado oil per year.

Olivado’s factory in Kenya is managed and staffed by Kenyans. We have a policy of employing staff with initiative, not necessarily education, and in doing so, we believe in giving everyone a chance to make a living.

Olivado’s commitment to fair trade

Our factory in Kenya and the farmers who supply us with avocados are certified organic and fair trade by IMO, a member of the international ECOCERT group based in France.

Founded in Switzerland in 1989, they are a leading provider for international inspection and certification services for recognised organic, ecological and social standards.

IMO’s philosophy has always been to collaborate with the people living in the countries where food is produced and sold to the West, making sure human rights and equality standards are met.

They deliver independent, third-party inspection of sites, and certify produce in the name of Fair Trade. Their certifications are accepted and highly regarded in all markets around the globe.

Kenyan children

Buy Fair Trade for a better world

At its heart, Fair Trade practice is about justice.

The movement has really taken off in recent years, with people becoming more conscious of where their food comes from and what others have sacrificed to make it.

Studies have shown that people are more than willing to pay a little bit more to ensure a socially responsible product.

By buying Fair Trade produce, you are fighting for the rights of workers, ensuring they receive a fair wage for the work they have done.

There is also an environmental aspect to Fair Trade, with farmers not using any GMOs, sourcing water sustainably, and minimising the use of potentially hazardous chemicals and fertilisers.

We are strong believers in Fair Trade and wear our certification with pride. We buy our avocados directly from small bio-diverse farms, paying a premium set price, thus bypassing brokers and guaranteeing the farmers a regular income.

Our farm holdings in Kenya are mapped, with each tree noted, assessed and inspected to ensure they are likely to produce. The farms are regularly visited by our field officers, who work closely with the farmers year-round, providing education in farm management, organic fertilizing and pruning.

If you want to help others by taking a socially responsible stand, you have the opportunity to do so when you choose Olivado Organic Fair Trade Extra Virgin Avocado Oil.

Take a look at our products here, or contact us if you would like to know more about our Fair Trade practices.

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Sustainability

Olivado are leading the way in the avocado industry with our approach to regeneration, sustainability and utilising all waste to energy. We work hard to leave our communities and environment in a better state than when we started. We are carbon neutral now and we have made a commitment to be carbon positive by 2022. Shop with us and do your part for the planet.