WHY ARE STOCKS OF FAIR TRADE SPICES LIMITED?

The life of a spice producer and managing a cooperative of family farms in Cambodia is highly rewarding… but not always easy. We take our role very seriously because we support the economic fabric of the region. In recent years, the Kampot region and Cambodia have faced extreme challenges, pushing us to find the best solutions at every step of the supply chain to overcome these difficulties. Our goal is to bring you the finest spices from Cambodia, directly from our farm in Kampot. However, these are sometimes out of stock. Today, we will explain in detail the reasons behind these shortages and why our spice stocks are limited.

A PROCESS RESPECTFUL OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE

All our spices, including Kampot Pepper, are hand-harvested on our farm in Kampot, Cambodia, using traditional Cambodian methods. These are sustainable techniques that respect the land, plants, and people. It is a manual process that requires time and patience..

TRADITIONAL METHODS AND FAIR TRADE

Local cooperative producers hand-pick every peppercorn, a meticulous task carried out according to the seasons and weather conditions. This choice aligns with our Fair Trade programme, where each producer receives a fair wage for their work, ensuring an improved quality of life for them and their families.

A LONGER PRODUCTION TIME BUT EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY

This artisanal process, far removed from intensive farming practices, preserves the natural and aromatic properties of our spices. Every stage of the harvest, from sorting to drying, is done with great care to ensure a product of exceptional quality. This respect for tradition and people partly explains why our spices are sometimes out of stock. This extra time is a testament to the unrivalled quality appreciated by spice lovers.

The cooperative farms and Plantation farms are increasingly impacted by climate change. Kampot Pepper, an exceptional spice, was particularly affected this year. Here’s how these weather conditions directly influence production :

EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS

n 2024, Kampot faced extreme weather conditions during the two crucial phases of pepper production. During the flowering phase, a sudden heatwave followed by rainfall occurred. This sharp contrast in weather caused significant fruit loss, as the pepper plants could not cope with the rapid transition from wet to extreme heat. The result: a large portion of the future harvest was lost.

Source : Journal Le Monde – Southeast Asia hit by extreme heatwave

PRODUCTION DROPPED BY 80%

This initial loss was followed by a weak regrowth, yielding only a few pepper clusters, and these emerged too late in the season. Additionally, a severe drought prevented some farms from watering their pepper plants, further compromising the harvest. Overall, Kampot IGP Pepper production fell to 20% compared to 2023.

THE FAIR MEASURES TAKEN AT THE PLANTATION

Nevertheless, we have taken steps to support our producers. By purchasing their harvests at a price above the market rate to compensate for their losses, we are helping them implement more resilient farming methods. These methods help reduce soil erosion, naturally enrich the plants with nutrients, and conserve moisture during dry periods.

SUEZ CANAL CLOSURE AND EXTENDED TRANSPORT TIMES

The Middle East conflict, particularly the closure of the Suez Canal, has directly impacted our spice exports to Europe. Cargo ships now have to bypass Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. This detour extends delivery times and increases transport costs.

To mitigate this situation, our European stock management has had to adapt, but it remains a challenge, especially when it comes to meeting our product harvesting timelines. Despite these difficulties, we continue to prioritise a short supply chain and offer spices directly from the producer.

Source : Journal Le Monde – The Red Sea crisis disrupts maritime transport

STRICT CHECKS TO ENSURE PRODUCT QUALITY

Upon the arrival of containers in Europe, the products are subjected to stringent health checks. Samples may be taken for analysis, which can lead to additional delays of up to three weeks before they are stocked.

We understand the importance of these checks to ensure our spices meet international standards. At every stage of production, we apply an ISO 22000 certified quality assurance programme to ensure products meet hygiene and food safety standards.

JUST-IN-TIME PRODUCTION TO PRESERVE QUALITY

We operate on a just-in-time basis to offer you fresh spices, directly from our harvests. This means that production begins as soon as the export cargos are prepared. The teams in Cambodia then process the sauces, grind and mix the spices, and package the products before shipping them.

However, the combination of a delayed harvest, extended transport times, and health checks can sometimes lead to stock shortages on certain products, like Kampot Pepper.

THE SUCCESS OF OUR NEW PRODUCTS

Some of our new products, such as the dried fruits with red pepper (Dried Mango and Dried Pineapple), have been so successful that they also ran out of stock. To meet demand, we now offer these products in 1 kg packages, ideal for regular consumption.

Our Cambodian cashew nuts have also been highly successful. Anticipating this growing demand, we have taken steps to maintain a continuous supply of this product.

 In case of a stock shortage, we invite you to contact us at info@laplantation.com to be informed of the future availability of your favourite products. We are doing everything we can to restock our exceptional spices as quickly as possible while maintaining our commitment to quality and a short supply chain.