WHY PALM OIL?

Feronia’s plantations produce crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO).

Both of these products are used in Congolese cooking processes and are rich in vitamin E, vitamin A and natural tocotrienols. In addition, they are also used in the manufacture of many soaps and cosmetics, making them versatile, highly demanded products that harbour the potential to provide a multitude of benefits for emerging economies such as the DRC.

“Unlike its direct competitors of soy and rapeseed, which fuel the genetically modified, herbicides and pesticides trades, palm oil, when proper standards are applied, is a hugely efficient, clean, near zero carbon footprint crop, and immensely labour intensive,” de Carniere reveals.

Equally, Feronia’s business model is centred around taking on derelict or rundown plantations, then renovating to become sustainable businesses for the benefit of local communities without contributing to global crises such as deforestation.

“It grows primarily in developing countries, where jobs and investment are dearly needed,” the CEO adds. “A lot of the bad press about palm oil serves specific economic interests, but in reality, palm oil is probably one of the best ways of sharing wealth with those who need it most.”