Morocco produces nearly half the world’s carob, but most of it is exported raw, a missed opportunity. SANTIS saw potential. Instead of selling raw pods, they invested in high-value processing, turning carob into a key ingredient for Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and Unilever. With a €4.7 million loan from CIH BANK and our support, SANTIS expanded operations, created jobs, and empowered local farmers. It helped create: ✅Hundreds of jobs in rural areas ✅Thousands of carob saplings for small farmers ✅New hubs in the US and Netherlands ✅Solar investments cutting electricity costs by 50% Read more on how smart investment drives impact: https://bit.ly/Morocco_EIB
Let’s not forget that the carob is a resilient and drought-tolerant tree that Moroccan farmers are increasingly planting instead of water-demanding trees such as olive and almond. By enhancing the value of the carob through local processing, SANTIS is helping these farmers turn there carob trees into economically viable investments, and mitigate the effects of reduced rainfall.
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1wGlobal trade relations always shows how moving raw materials remain at disadvantage to the producing country. High value processing always create more jobs opportunities and more importantly fix the commodity value chain. SANTIS is doing great in Morocco and CIH BANK should continue to stimulate funding to other commodities.