De un vistazo
Ubicación: Perú
Impact Areas: Sustainable Income, Smallholder Farmers
Personas apoyadas:
Pequeños agricultores
Incorporación a NESsT Portafolio:
2021
Located in the jungle areas of central and eastern Peru, Kulkao sources cocoa from over 400 smallholder farmers living in the remote regions of the Amazon basin, purchasing their cocoa at prices typically higher than the market price. Its products include cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs that are sold to local and international markets such as Europe and North America.
Kulkao provides farmers with technical support on organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices while offering them a premium price for their organic products. The social enterprise maintains close communication with farmers and conducts farm visits, during which its technical team oversees regular testing of farm lands and shares soil management lessons to keep quality and production levels high.
To safeguard against the damage of non-organic pesticides and other chemicals, Kulkao carries out several stages of quality testing in its certified organic processing plant. Its quality control procedures guarantee traceability, allowing the social enterprise to pinpoint sources of contamination and work with farmers to improve their practices.
In addition to strengthening smallholder farming communities, Kulkao also improves the livelihoods of rural Peruvian communities in Huánuco, Ucayali, Cajamarca and Junin by providing workers from these areas quality employment opportunities with stable income. Kulkao currently employs 50 workers from rural areas in its processing plant and administration team.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kulkao’s management team responded quickly to quarantine regulations, implementing health and safety protocols and issuing the necessary permits for their operations to continue.
Resultados e impacto
+400
pequeños agricultores subvencionados
+100%
higher income for suppliers compared to the informal market
34%
of suppliers supported are women
“We are very excited to renew our partnership with NESsT. Their support is not only key for the growth and sustainability of Kulkao’s business but also to ensure the supply of organic cocoa beans from our farmers. ”
NESsT Inversión
When Kulkao first joined the NESsT Lirio Fund in 2021, NESsT provided the company with a working capital to support the social enterprise’s sustainability practices, increase its organic production capacity, and strengthen its position in the cocoa industry in Peru.
In 2023, NESsT approved a second loan to Kulkao. This loan supported the social enterprise to continue to purchase cacao beans from local farmers committed to organic, sustainable practices. It also allowed Kulkao to boost production capacity and operations at its processing plant in Huánuco. As part of NESsT’s portfolio, the Kulkao team was able to extend its technical support to more women and Indigenous farmers.
By maintaining strong relationships with local farmers and developing a robust customer portfolio, Kulkao repaid both loans in full and on time. During this period, the enterprise also increased its revenue by more than double and diversified its international client base.
In addition to maintaining long-standing relationships with US and UK clients, Kulkao secured deals with additional retail and B2B clients in Europe and the US.
Due to this success, in early 2025, NESsT extended a third loan under flexible terms. The investment will cover working capital needs to source from and provide technical support to more farmers, including women and Indigenous farmers, as Kulkao continues to increase its sales and volume of organic cacao products.