Shea – a strategic raw material Shea kernels are a very important and unique raw material for AAK. The shea tree is a wild tree growing in a belt across Africa south of the Sahara. Countries with the highest population of shea trees include Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin and Togo – also some of the least developed countries in the world. Due to a very long maturity period, shea trees are not grown in plantations. Over more than 60 years, AAK has gained extensive knowledge and experience of this raw material and the local communities in which AAK operates. Selected shea trees are continuously monitored and combined with multiple weather data in a complex matrix to assess the size of the next harvest, and a number of processes take place to ensure an unbroken supply chain from the collection of shea kernels and early pre-treatment, to transportation to ports and warehouses and then shipment to Northern Europe. Improved livelihood AAK works with the women who collect the shea kernels, building capacity in local communities. AAK’s work in these areas includes the formation and teaching of women’s groups in villages, and by doing direct business with them, the women have been able to markedly improve their livelihood. Mali Ivory Coast Burkina Faso Ghana Benin Togo
AAK - Sustainability Report 2014/2015
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