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Read about the latest developments across the business, including our global sustainability initiatives.
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Olam’s operations in the Republic of Congo began in 2011 with our acquisition of Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB).
We operate forest management concessions and processing in the Sangha province, covering approximately 2.1 million hectares, each obtained under long-term lease agreements and all managed in accordance with the Sustainable Forest Management standards.
We have FSC® certification for about 1.3 million hectares, with the remainder undergoing certification process. About 92,500 hectares are preserved as standing forest under REDD+.
Logs are selectively harvested on an annual basis over 3 separate harvesting phases. Harvested logs not directly exported are processed locally in our own mills, drying kilns and moulding factory.
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Meet the Team
Our team consists of more than 1,200 people in three locations.
Christian Schwarz,
Country Head, Republic of Congo
Focusing on Sustainability
Within the Republic of Congo, we operate a pioneering REDD+ initiative to realise value from the standing forest (92,530 hectares) in our Pikounda Nord concession, which is located in the Sangha region in the heart of the Congo River Basin. The objective of this pilot initiative is to generate alternative revenues from sustainably managed forest landscapes by valuing the forest as a carbon sink and to originate carbon credits for the pre-compliance Voluntary Carbon market. This market is considered best practice and recognised by the global carbon community as able to generate solid and marketable credits. Read more here.
In addition to the Pikounda Nord REDD+, CIB is partnering with the Republic of Congo on a proposal to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
The FCPF, which became operational in June 2008, is a global partnership focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). The FCPF has 44 REDD Country Participants (17 in Africa, 16 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 11 in Asia-Pacific). The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and United Nations Development Programme are delivery partners under the Readiness Fund and are responsible for providing REDD+ readiness support services to distinct countries.
In 2014 the proposal put forward by the Republic of Congo in partnership with Olam, was accepted. The World Bank is now providing funding for the full development of the programme proposal, and once implemented and the emissions verified, will purchase a number of carbon credits.
We have piloted a ground-breaking process to ensure the involvement of indigenous people in our forest management initiatives. With the support of The Forest Trust and Fondation Chirac, Biso na Biso (meaning ‘Between Us’) was the first community radio station to broadcast in local languages across the Congo Basin. Since 2007, it has enabled CIB and indigenous communities to share information and ensure that social, cultural and religious needs are respected. CIB also worked with the communities to GPS map sacred trees and groves, and valuable living areas.
Given that our operations are in a very remote area, we have invested in infrastructure to ensure the wellbeing of our employees which also benefits the surrounding indigenous communities. This includes building modern housing, schools, hospitals, sports fields and even a television station.
News, Views and Insights
7th May, 2021
Olam joins coalition to provide support and relief to India amid COVID-19 surge
Partnering Temasek, Singapore Airlines, Air India and others in Singapore to source and airlift essential medical equipment to meet critical oxygen needs
Working with network of private and public partners in India to support distribution to hospitals and treatment centres across the country
Launched an internal donation drive to supplement and support COVID-19 relief efforts locally
Singapore
In support of India’s ongoing battle against COVID-19, Olam International is working with a growing coalition of private and public sector partners to provide crucial medical supplies to the country.
In Singapore, where Olam is headquartered, it is partnering with Temasek, Temasek Foundation, Singapore Airlines, SATS, Air India, Kerry Logistics, the Pan IIM Alumni Association and the High Commission of India in Singapore to source and airlift essential medical equipment to meet critical oxygen needs in India. Since Sunday May 2, the partners have sent 200 oxygen concentrators, 5
21st Aug, 2020
Olam Coffee partners with customers to support vulnerable farmers through COVID-19
In May, Olam Coffee launched a COVID-19 Global Intervention Plan to strengthen its ongoing relief efforts for the world’s worst-affected coffee farming communities.
Securing skilled labour, earning a living and affording usual food and new hygiene supplies are the main challenges being faced by coffee farmers as a result of lockdowns and movement restrictions. All of which are compounding the pre-existing vulnerability of coffee farmers to low prices and climate shocks.
Donations from customers and partners, together with Olam’s contributions, have reached US$449,670 to date, funding food and hygiene packages for over 20,000 coffee households across 12 countries, where farmers are navigating the complexities of harvesting during a pandemic.
Vivek Verma, Managing Director and CEO, Olam Coffee, said,
“We are extremely grateful for the generous support from our customers, namely Lavazza, Nespresso, Caffé Borbone, JM Smuckers, Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, Strauss, Melitta a
5th May, 2021
Greater urgency and partnership are needed to kick-start a smallholder farmer recovery stuck on pause
The tidal impact of COVID-19 has resulted in humanitarian and economic consequences that have been felt across the globe. The progress made against the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly towards no poverty and zero hunger, has been seriously hampered since the pandemic took hold over one year ago. Hard-won gains such as reducing childhood stunting actually stand to be reversed.
An Olam-conducted survey of over 3,400 farmers across 19 countries has shown the impact smallholder farmers have seen to their incomes, livelihoods and their communities as changes and disruptions have been felt across global food and agricultural supply chains. Read the article by Julie Greene, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, on Agri-Pulse and read our Farmer Barometer report here.
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