Iberchem and Nelixia: Building More Sustainable Cardamom Supply Chains Together

Iberchem is actively progressing towards transforming natural raw material sourcing by sharing in NELIXIA’s mission to build sustainable supply chains based on ethical relationships, transparency, biodiversity protection, and human empowerment.

Working towards a better future for all, Iberchem and NELIXIA are collaborating to drive a project to further improve cardamom sustainable supply chains.

Alongside improving producing communities’ working conditions, this project will also give longevity to natural resources so future generations have the same access to natural sources as we do today.

How can we improve the cardamom supply chain?

NELIXIA has been working over the past 4 years to transform the cardamom value chain to move cardamom from a typical cash crop value chain to a more sustainable one.

Gradually introducing new communities to its scope has ensured quality support for each cardamom farmer from NELIXIA. There have been incredible results in the Alta Verapaz region in Guatemala with more than 170 ha of cardamom under an organic agroforestry system. As a result, Nelixia has decided to amplify its geographic scope in partnership with Iberchem.

The project will integrate 40 new cardamom farmers into the NELIXIA group to further the development sustainable cardamom supply chain based on ethical relationships, transparency, biodiversity protection, and human empowerment.

What will this cardamom project involve?

By integrating 40 families, representing 150 beneficiaries, this project will expand the sustainable cardamom supply chain based on empowering producing communities, improving regenerative agriculture, and contributing towards poverty eradication.

This will be achieved by compliance with NELIXIA’s step-by-step action plan in which they implement the Stoplight methodology, and also by:

• Establishing a transparent and respectful relationship with farmers and along the supply chain;
• Promoting sustainable crop management to improve climate change and market fluctuation resilience;
• Eliminating poverty through human empowerment and investment.

As a result, farmer’s knowledge of integrated practices, agroforestry systems, and biodiversity promotion will improve contributing to higher yield and revenue. The resulting improved cardamom value chain will ensure farmers’ resilience to price fluctuation and future natural disasters.

Iberchem is broadening its knowledge with NELIXIA as they learn to understand more about its impact on the whole cardamom value chain, and how it can increase its contribution towards positive, sustainable changes for cardamom-producing communities. As Iberchem progress towards a more sustainable future, Iberchem hopes to translate the learnings from this partnership to other raw material value chains to continue improving ethical relationships, and supply chain transparency.

About NELIXIA

NELIXIA is a Guatemalan company that delivers 100% natural, 100% traceable, ethically sourced ingredients. Since producing its first essential oils in 2010, NELIXIA has put sustainability at the heart of its operations to improve value chains through respect, empowerment, regenerative agriculture, and poverty eradication.