NEWS: SVZ SUPPORTS ARTISAN JUICE PRODUCTION START UP IN ZA-KPOTA, BENIN

Together with Coöperatie Hoogstraten, the municipality of Hoogstraten and service clubs from Hoogstraten, SVZ joined a project in Benin, to support the start up of a small-scale production unit, to process fresh oranges into juice.

Za-Kpota is a rural community located in the South of Benin, one of the poorest countries in the world. Most of the inhabitants of Za-Kpota, a region well-known for its citrus plantations, work in the agricultural sector. The city of Za-Kpota produces approximately 30.000 tons of oranges per year. 25% of the production is lost, due to shortage of storage, transport or production possibilities.

The new start up aims to process approximately 21 tons of oranges and lemons into juices and jams in the first year. The project provides a work place for low skilled youth and aims to fortify the local community. The juices will be offered to local markets. There will be special attention to supply the juices to local schools, to enhance the nutritional diets of children.

SVZ supports this project with funds and knowledge. Combined with Coöperatie Hoogstraten and the municipality of Hoogstraten, the start up enjoys access to funds and knowledge of the entire supply chain: from harvest to juice production. This project fits our sustainable initiatives, as it improves the maximum usage of crops, reduces waste and improves the livelihood of persons in a direct and indirect manner.