Boosting farmer resilience in Uganda’s vanilla sector

The global vanilla market is one of the most volatile agricultural commodities in the world. Prices can swing drastically from year to year, leaving smallholder farmers—who form the backbone of vanilla production—without the security of stable income. In Uganda, where thousands of rural households depend on vanilla, these fluctuations can undermine livelihoods and discourage investment in quality production. In years of very low prices, it can even compel farmers to shift away from growing this labor-intensive crop entirely.

Enimiro Products Uganda has developed an integrated value chain model centered on transparency, long-term international client relationships, and inclusive sourcing. The company buys directly from over 4,000 certified organic smallholder farmers and guarantees a cost-plus price with its clients based on a minimum farmer purchase price and farm-level data. This structure is designed to provide a consistent, fair margin, supporting farmers in achieving a secure, living income year after year, while encouraging sustainable, high-quality vanilla cultivation.

To enable Enimiro to scale its vanilla purchases during peak harvest periods, and to expand into new crops creating additional income opportunities for the farmers, Rabo Foundation has provided a $600,000 trade finance facility to:

David Wright, founder and CEO of Enimiro:

“The support from Rabo Foundation allows us to pay farmers fairly and on time, which builds trust, motivates quality production, and creates long-term impact at the source. It also gives us the flexibility to responsibly expand into new value chains like coffee and dried (jack)fruit—opening up additional income streams for farmers and making our business more resilient.”

Carolyne Sigei, Senior Impact Finance Manager, Rabo Foundation:

“Enimiro’s integrated, farmer-first approach is a strong example of how inclusive agribusinesses can drive real development outcomes. We’re proud to support a business model that delivers both commercial and social impact—while also creating skilled employment opportunities for youth in rural Uganda”.