Based in Chimoio, Baobab Products Mozambique (BPM) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eco-Micaia and one of southern Africa’s established suppliers of high-grade, organically certified baobab powder and baobab seed oil. Established in 2015, BPM was created to give women baobab collectors a better and fairer market for their fruit. It gained EcoCert organic certification in 2016 and began exporting later that year.
BPM is a fully commercial business with a clear social purpose: creating better livelihood opportunities for the women who supply its baobab. All of BPM’s baobab is sourced from women living in some of the driest and most economically disadvantaged parts of Mozambique, where farming is difficult and access to services and infrastructure is limited. For these communities, baobab is a critical natural resource and an important source of income.
BPM typically pays at least twice — and sometimes three times — the prices offered by informal traders. This difference matters. Each year, BPM buys baobab from up to 3,500 women, while around 100 more women earn income through other activities in the value chain. The women use this income to educate their children, start small businesses and invest in their homes and communities.
BPM is also committed to inclusive and sustainable business. The Company has pledged to share 20% of any distributable profit with the Association of women baobab harvesters, while its sourcing and operations follow BioTrade principles, with a strong commitment to sustainable harvesting and responsible natural resource management.
BPM supplies organically certified raw baobab powder to international markets and finished baobab products to local and national markets. It is also developing organic baobab seed oil for both national and international markets.
BPM shows how a commercial business can create value from biodiversity while ensuring that more of that value reaches the women and communities who depend on it.
Criando oportunidades sustentáveis inclusivas em Moçambique, desde 2008