Sambazon
BCTA MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Alumni
SECTOR
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
HEADQUARTERS
United States
REGION OF INITIATIVE
Latin America & Caribbean
SDG CONTRIBUTION
RELATED NEWS
Deforestation contributes almost 20 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. In the Brazilian Amazon, many local communities unknowingly employ destructive forest practices in order to earn a living. These practices lead to the long-term environmental degradation of the land.
Sambazon, whose supply chain is based in the Amazon, is creating alternative options for these communities. Through its commitment to the Business Call to Action, the company is working to train 7,000 açaí harvesters on organic, non-invasive harvesting principles and environmental management principles which will enable them to double current yields of the berry and increase earning potential by up to 40 percent. By eliminating the need to cut down the forest, the company estimates that over 1.2 million hectares of forestland will be preserved.
As worldwide demand for açaí continues to rise, this initiative will help promote a sustainable value chain and ensure adequate supplies of organic fruit.
To date, Sambazon's supply chain has provided alternative livelihoods for over 2,500 people and ensures the sustainable use of 700,000 hectacres of in the Brazilian Amazon.