Impact Report 2022
We remain in our mission for a sustainable tomorrow
Working together for growth & sustainability
Amidst a unique set of challenges and still in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, the Rabo Rural Fund demonstrated that by focusing on our core, we could meet these head on. Once more, it became clear just how crucial our role is as a cooperative partner. Despite these difficult circumstances, we managed to reach our impact ambitions.
Our aspirations next year are to accelerate impact even further, both organically and through client base expansion. As we look ahead, we are committed to seeking opportunities where we add the most value in both established and emerging regions and sectors.
Lidwien Schils
Our Impact
Hier maken we het verschil
Buiten Nederland zijn we actief in landen met veel kleinschalige boeren in een achtergestelde positie. Dáár kunnen we de grootste positieve verandering bereiken. Je vindt ons in maar liefst 22 landen op 4 continenten.
Europa
• Nederland
Azië
• Cambodja
• Filipijnen
• India
• Indonesië
• Sri Lanka
• Vietnam
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.
Afrika
• Ghana
• Ivoorkust
• Kenia
• Oeganda
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur.
Latijns-Amerika
• Bolivia
• Brazilië
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Peru
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur.
In 2022, we approved $48,6 million in impact financing throughout 15 countries. Still emerging from the Covid pandemic, a series of global events such as the war in Ukraine, supply chain pressures, inflation and the ongoing climate crisis contributed to high price volatility on agricultural markets and shifting consumer demands in Europe and the US for farmers. Thus, our strategic approach involved focusing on our existing portfolio. Fortunately, doing so amid fluctuating coffee prices allowed us to actually disburse $63,6 million- a 12% growth from 2021.
Overall, we invested in 69 organizations and reached 356,000 smallholder farmers in 2022 by navigating these obstacles with a clear vision. Most notably, the climate change impacts that have become a daily reality for farmers and their families. Further support for climate smart investments, regenerative agriculture and reforestation continue to enable them to conserve precious areas and adapt to immediate, severe climate crises- all while increasing their incomes to sustainable levels.
With this, we are optimistic about 2023.
Regions
Latin America
Despite social and political unrest in Peru forcing prioritization of our existing portfolio, we increased our presence in Latin America. With 65% of our work based in the region and $36 million invested, it remains an important region to improve income for millions of smallholders and alleviate burdens from consequences of climate change.
Asia
The coup in Myanmar resulted in major consequences for farmers, and sharp declines in finance access made growth difficult. However, the region’s portfolio overall is positive. With $5.9 million invested, we can report a 100% timely repayment rate, proving reliability from our partners.
Africa
Africa offers the most potential of the regions we work in. While other regions may have six times more yields per hectare, we see possibilities here to exceed those numbers. We aim to increase the $7.3 million already invested in the continent. We are encouraged to witness a rising number of female farmers, and we find incorporating more of them into our investments promising.
The coffee market
2022’s ‘perfect storm’ of challenges had significant effects on coffee. A post-Covid, catch up demand paired with harvest failures in larger countries caused a spike in coffee prices, benefiting farmers. However, their organizations struggled to fix the price at the right time, and many cooperatives suffered. Climate change continues to be a perpetual challenge with increasingly erratic weather patterns.
Regardless, our knowledge of the market remains a strength. With an investment of $29.7 million invested in coffee- 61% of our portfolio- we reached 999 farmers for Sol & Café alone. The adoption of sustainable practices like circular agriculture or soil health improvement efforts persevere.
Coffee in Peru
Sol & Café’s social services remain fundamental to a now quadrupled growth
The opportunity
Sol & Café is a coffee cooperative in Northern Peru. With a forecast of higher coffee prices and increased sales, requesting a 20% increase in trade finance meant further support for smallholder farmers- a win-win for all parties.
The success
The cooperative’s support in relevant education, technical assistance and marketing strategies continue to be valuable. Meanwhile, access to financial facilities precedes harvest financing, increasing productivity. Since its first loan, Sol & Café has quadrupled, exporting 2,700 metric tons of coffee from 999 farming families in 2022.
Rabo Rural Fund's role
Today, Sol & Café is the 3rd largest coffee cooperative in Peru. We offer them financial access at competitive conditions, enabling their coffee farmers to export to international markets and gain higher incomes. Next steps in our partnership include investments in regenerative agriculture.
The cocoa market
Cocoa farming faces many vulnerabilities, but its long planting-to-harvest timeline is worth highlighting. From seedling to bearing fruit, it takes a tree nearly three years to reach maturity. With climate crises continuing to affect agriculture, farmers need financial protections and incentives to convert their farms to cocoa.
Working with agri companies like Kennemer Foods International in the Philippines aid our efforts in the market. Supporting smallholder farmers in buying microinsurance to protect against weather events, for instance, continues to alleviate risks. For 2022, we are pleased to report $10.7 million invested in cocoa.
Cocoa in the Philippines
Kennemer Foods International proves diversifying - in many ways - is key
The opportunity
The cocoa market continues to be risky, but Kennemer Foods International (KFI) in the Philippines mitigates these risks for its 10,290 smallholder farmers and Rabo Rural Fund alike.
The success
Despite climate crisis and volatile market vulnerabilities, KFI provides support in crop diversification and intercropping, creating alternate revenue streams. Extra income for farmers was sourced through carbon sequestration, the sale of carbon credits for captured CO2 from their trees. Furthermore, KFI’s guidance in offering higher quality cocoa through key Cocoa-Trace Standard certifications and connections to international customers fostered price increases.
Rabo Rural Fund's role
The Rabo Rural Fund, alongside two other lenders, remain the primary providers of working capital and expenditure loans. Combined efforts have helped KFI emerge as the Philippines' largest supplier of cocoa to the international market.
The sesame market
As a low input crop amidst increasing agricultural prices, sesame remains attractive to farmers. It continues to be a solid alternative to crops like peanuts and sugar cane, both of which require more intensive farming. Climate conditions have also proven to be favorable in 2022, making for a successful harvest.
The RRF’s sesame market is focused in Nicaragua. And while there are risks in sesame farming, like pesticide residues, Nicaragua’s low intensity agriculture offers relatively little risk compared to other producing countries. Seeds and nuts overall continue to have a solid place in the Rabo Rural Fund portfolio, with 4,843 farmers reached and $4.9 million invested.
Sesame in Nicaragua
Ético’s niche market strategy gives smallholder farmers a premium status
The opportunity
Benefitting all involved, Ético is committed to offering a wide variety of products from small-scale farms worldwide. This high-diversification model offers RRF the opportunity to reach producers that otherwise may be challenging to finance directly due to their scale.
The success
Ético’s support for less mature cooperatives has built trust by offering fair pricing and technical assistance. Access to premiums found in fair trade, sustainable, and high-end markets increased prices for farmers. For example, this affects 763 smallholder sesame farmers, as there is a quality premium for Nicaragua.
Rabo Rural Fund's role
This relationship has notable characteristics to highlight, particularly the Rabo Rural Fund’s support for Etico's growth and diversification with regards to commodities sourced from different countries.
Built with Shorthand