Shea Butter Value Chain Development
Apiculture (beekeeping) and shea butter production are two distinct activities that can have a symbiotic relationship. Shea trees provide a habitat for bees, offering them a source of nectar and pollen; shea trees produce flowers that provide a rich source of nectar and pollen for bees; bees play a crucial role in pollinating shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa), which is essential for fruit production and, subsequently, shea butter extraction and bee pollination can also improve the quality of shea nuts, leading to higher-quality shea butter. Beekeepers and shea butter producers can work together to establish integrated value chains for income diversification, where beekeepers can diversify their income streams by producing and selling shea butter products.
South Sudan shea butter is made from the nuts of the Nilotica shea tree, which only grows in South Sudan and Northern Uganda. The Nilotica shea tree grows in the remote savannahs of Northern Uganda and South Sudan. These are the only two Nilotica regions worldwide. Nilotic shea butter is different from West African shea butter, as it has a higher concentration of shea olein and unsaponifiables, which makes it melt more gently into the skin. Nilotic shea butter from South Sudan is a high-quality, rare, and organic butter extracted from the nuts of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree. It’s also known as “Lulu” in South Sudan. The Nilotica shae butter is rich in vitamins A and E, and has moisturizing, protective, and healing properties, making it perfect for use on the body, hair, and face. Generally, shea butter is used in the food industry, nutrition sector, and cosmetics industry.
We support the shea butter value chain development to improve the livelihoods of shea nut collectors, processors, and entrepreneurs by enhancing the productivity, quality, and marketability of shea butter products leading to increased household income, job creation, preservation of shea trees for environmental sustainability.
Program Objectives
- Increase shea nut production and quality through improved harvesting and processing techniques.
- Facilitate market access for shea butter products, including local, national, and international markets.
- Improve the income of shea nut collectors, processors, and entrepreneurs through increased sales and better pricing.
- Promote sustainable shea nut harvesting and processing practices, including environmental conservation and social responsibility.
Key activities
- Provide training for shea nut collectors and processors on best practices, quality control, and market requirements.
- Establish shea butter processing facilities and provide training on quality control measures.
- Market development: Conduct market research, develop marketing strategies, and establish market linkages for shea butter products.
4.Provide business training and support to shea nut collectors, processors, and entrepreneurs.
- Policy and advocacy: Advocate for policies and regulations that support the shea butter industry.
Target Groups
- Women and men involved in shea nut harvesting and collection.
- Entrepreneurs and small-scale processors involved in shea butter production.
3.Entrepreneurs involved in the marketing and sale of shea butter products.
Implementation Strategy
- Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector companies for shea butter value chain development.
- Build the capacity of shea nut collectors, processors, and entrepreneurs.
- Establish shea butter processing facilities and other infrastructure.