Africa 

African coffee is brewed and celebrated worldwide for its rich and unique flavors. Our extensive sourcing network reaches smallholder farmers in Congo, Ivory Coast and Uganda, as well as estates in Tanzania and Zambia. Managed by our teams of expert agronomists and sustainability professionals, these farms supply specialty customers internationally with sustainably grown, traceable coffees.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Both arabica and robusta are traditional export crops for DRC and now specialty production is bringing new investment, interest and hope to the Kivu provinces – the main growing region. As the country’s largest coffee buyer and exporter, we offer high-quality fully washed coffee, alongside specialty honeys and naturals, and organic cascara, produced at our seven washing stations. A stronger focus on quality also rewards the farmers with higher premiums.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is an important producer of full-bodied robusta. ofi has grown to become the country’s largest green coffee buyer and 4C certified exporter, benefitting the livelihoods of around 90,000 smallholders each year. Our state-of-the-art dry mill in Abidjan is equipped with modern machinery geared towards producing superior quality beans and customized grades for buyers.

Tanzania

This 2,000-hectare certified green arabica coffee estate is located in the mountainous Songea Rural District of Southern Tanzania along the Ruvuma River. Certified by Rainforest Alliance/UTZ and 4C, the estate employs many people from the local community and has invested in social infrastructure. We are proud to be the first business in Africa to have a site achieve the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard.

Uganda

Considered the birthplace of robusta, Uganda is home to what is thought to be one of the rarest examples of naturally occurring coffee trees anywhere in the world. Over a third of the country’s population depend on coffee to make a living, making it a product of vital economic and social significance. Our Sironko processing mill produces specialty grade, fully washed arabicas, sourced from the farmers spread across the high slopes of Mt Elgon.

Zambia

The Rainforest Alliance/UTZ certified arabica estates are located in the stunning Mafinga Hills of Zambia’s Northern Province, favored for its microclimate, rich volcanic soil and rainfall. As well as improving production facilities and processes with an emphasis on quality, we’re investing in the communities beyond the estates to improve access to education and healthcare, and support smallholder farmers.

Read ofi news

Articles May 22, 2023

The colorful ingredients taking over our plates in 2023

The trend for bold colors and flavors in food and beverages is rising this year. With consumers increasingly exposed to an array of global food trends, including a wide range of exotic flavors and colors, many are becoming more experimental. At the same time, confectionery products, treats, and snacks are often a moment of fun and relaxation in consumers’ daily lives, so they can be a great opportunity for experimenting with new and exciting shades. 

Articles May 8, 2023

Employee Spotlight: Sydney Valla, eCommerce Operations Manager, North America

Sydney Valla was an undergrad at Fresno State when she first discovered ofi (olam food ingredients) at a career fair. They were passing out tomato-shaped stress balls and recruiting new grads for a management trainee program. She signed-up for an interview and the rest is her-story.

 

What motivates you when you wake up and come into work?

 

My team! There are six of us who are 100% dedicated to the Spices eCommerce business and we have a combined 35+ years’ experience at ofi. Together, we work to be a solution provider for new and existing customers, put in place processes to help the business grow and overcome any challenges that are thrown our way.

 

Anything you’d like to add to help others succeed?

 

Being in numerous different positions throughout my career (supply chain, product line, sales) has made me a more well-rounded employee and allowed me to view problems from many different angles to find better solutions. I’m glad that I joined a company that offered career growth and expansion. Being a sponge during the early stages of my career allowed me to soak up lots of different information.

 

What has been your favorite moment at ofi so far?

 

When I was a product line manager, there was a large fast-food chain that featured one of our ingredients in a delicious and highly promoted LTO. It was so cool to go through the drive thru, pick up lunch, and know that one of the products that I helped to sell was in an item that was being sold across the country.

 

Our company purpose is ‘be the change for good food and a healthy future.’ In what way do you live our purpose through your work?

 

Through the eCommerce offerings, we can connect with new customers and segments that have previously been difficult to reach. This allows us to work with new customers to make educated purchasing decisions about where their product comes from, our sustainability offerings, and more. Outside of work, I sit on the Board of Directors for the Central California Food Bank which feeds over 300,000 community members in the Central Valley.

 

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Articles May 5, 2023

Growing for the Future: Safeguarding coffee and cocoa from the climate crisis

Imagine waking up to a world without your morning cup of coffee or being able to enjoy your favorite chocolate. Unthinkable, right? But climate change threatens the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers who grow these everyday ingredients.

 

That's where HEARTH (Health, Ecosystems, and Agriculture for Resilient, Thriving Societies) comes in. It is a collaborative public-private partnership approach to sustainable development in biodiverse landscapes initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

Together, USAID, olam food ingredients (ofi), and partners have invested approximately $50 million across six cocoa and coffee projects worldwide, including four HEARTH partnerships. We aim to equip farmers with the right tools and training to transition to more environmentally friendly techniques without sacrificing their livelihoods. There are three key ingredients at the core of HEARTH’s approach to climate action:

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