Thursday, June 25, 2009

Wild Harvest Pharma Response


Maybe there has been a little confusion over the sustainability of the tree of life, The Baobab. First off carbon dateing done on a great Baobab in S.A. has revealed that this particular tree is over 5000 years old. But to put things in perspective a baoabab reaches maturity at 60 and with an average life-span of 500 years.

I got involved in the commercial proceessing of this mighty tree of Africa when i was doing research into Mandinka tribes in The Gambia. Getting back to the article, indeed the Madagascan Baobab fruit is endangered however this are not exported and are only used for local consumption. The next point is that last year S.A. alone consumed over 100,000 tons of Baobab, with a tree population of over 28 Million this figure far exceeds the projected demand from Europe and the U.S.

Baobab has the potential of changeing lives here in Africa, not for big businessmen but for rural communities and those that need and want additional income. Baobab trees are being felled right now to build houses and shops. When farmers understand that this tree can provide income for themselves, their children and their great great grandchildren they are going to protect these trees.

So the demand in Europe and the U.S. will fuel the protection of the tree. Wild Harvest Pharma have already embarked on a planting project where we plant hundreds of trees each year for the community, that way when they bear fruit that community will beneifit directly.

We are also looking to employ disabled workers in our processing facility to empower the most dis-adavantaged workers. Baobab is great news for Africa and fantastic news for the Europeans that will beneifit from the health and nutritional value of this amazing tree of life.

Dr Baobab
Wild Harvest Pharma

Baobab Fruit Company Response


                                               Quote:
"Certainly I'm no baobab expert (though it does sound like quite a nice job) and I don't pretend to be"


I'm a Baobab Expert, since many years (around 10). I'm the owners of the company you mentioned in your post and the webmaster of the relative website.


You are right. Basically there is no Baobab Regeneration since many years (we collect Baobab Fruits in forests that can reach 1200/1500 years) and we have also started a program of reforesting, planting around 20.000 new young Baobab Plant.


The problem is not the "eating of baobab fruits from man" but the inexistence of animals that eat baobab fruits and expulse seeds after many kilometers in the best conditions for a good grow. One time it was a monkey job, but now, after man's hand. there are no monkeys that do this job (and in many parts of Africa, was elephants that did that).


So, don't be afraid, taste this wonderful fruit. It really helps african villages . And you will feel better. For Sure.


Baobaci.


Pascal

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

PhytoTrade Africa Response


As a representative from the African trade association (PhytoTrade Africa) that is promoting the sale of baobab within the EU, I'd just like to clear up some of the misconceptions about the possible threats to baobab.

Firstly, I can categorically state that the African baobab (Adansonia digitata, distinct from any of the Madagascar baobabs) is not an endangered species. A quick look at the IUCN Red List of endangered species will confirm this. It is, in fact, very abundant across much of the continent. International trade in endangered species is regulated by a whole raft of legislation (e.g. CITES), and there is little chance of any endangered species making it on to supermarket shelves any time soon.

That said, it is certainly true that baobab distribution has shrunk across Africa over the last century. As the human population expands, indigenous vegetation is cleared to make way for agricultural production (something that has happened the world over). In Africa this has often had disastrous results, with the indigenous vegetation being replaced by arable cash crops that often fare rather poorly in our dry and infertile soils. The result is bad news for people and environment alike, and baobab trees have suffered as much as any other species (although they are still plentiful).

The question is whether commercialising baobab fruit will reverse or exacerbate this trend. We're confident it will reverse this trend. Giving baobab fruit a cash value creates an incentive for rural people to preserve and protect baobab trees. Just as apple and orange trees are not endangered by our love of their fruit, we don't expect baobab trees to be threatened by our love of their fruit either. In fact we think it will result in an increase in the baobab population over the long term. This has already happened with many other indigenous plant species that have been commercialised, and there is no reason to believe it won't happen with baobab either.

I'm very happy to provide much more detailed evidence of this to anyone who still has worries. It is a complex issue, and as Susan points out, you can get conflicting views from the net. But ultimately, we're absolutely certain that your purchase of a baobab fruit product will contribute both to bettering the lives of rural African producers and to the long term sustainability of the baobab tree in Africa.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Baobab over exploited?


Much excitement in the papers this morning about the African baobab fruit, cleared for use in the UK for the first time. Packed with "six times the vitamin C of an orange", resembling a coconut and tasting like melon, everyone agrees that it's exotic and healthy. Among the excitement I received an email from a very unhappy lecturer from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Durban:

For an environmentally aware person, [this] is the most depressing story I have read for a long time. Baobabs are an endangered species, and the idea that trendy Britons might now turn to eating them may well mean that they have no hope of recovery.

A cursory glance around t'interweb throws up little of concern - there are several varieties of the baobab, found in Australia, mainland Africa and Madagascar. Some sites claim the trees last for thousands of years, others point to 400-year lifespans. In the Beeb's report about the fruit's introduction to the UK, it says, there are "hopes the demand for the fruit will mean employment for millions of African people." That all sounds quite good.

A little more digging reveals less happy news: it appears that the Madagascan fruit - although this is not the variety we are importing according to reports - is indeed threatened, says the California Academy of Sciences' Cat Aboudara, "because of the changes made to their environment and the exploitation of their resources".

When I add "endangered" to my search, a few less cheery pages pop up. At the top is Save the Baobab from Practical Action Sudan, which asserts that droughts and overuse of the tree in Sudan have led to depressed stocks. When once elephants ate the fruit and dispersed the seeds, the site claims, now humans throw the seeds into city's bins, and a lack of local knowledge means there is no provision for replacing these trees. This site, however, claims that the baobab is not threatened, and was only considered to be endangered because the young trees didn't resemble the mature ones, this one claims the tree is still too numerous to be considered endangered, but acknowledges that it has been threatened by large-scale clearances and desertification.

So, as ever, on the interweb, as in life, there is little agreement and opinions from parties with a commercial interest.

Is there any other baobab intelligence out there?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Baobab Bonsai Seeds


Adansonia digitata or African Baobab makes a unique Bonsai. Very forgiving of the conditions in which it is kept. Reaches maturity slowly, but well worth the wait. It requires plenty of sun during the summer, but water only once or twice per week during the growing season and even less frequently during the winter months.

Seed requires heavy sanding or cracking and soak in warm water for 24-48 hours prior to planting Soil must be a constant 70 degrees for seed to germinate. Hardy to US zone 9, but can be grown indoors with great success during cold periods. Our seeds are always fresh, carefully packaged and include a care and instruction sheet.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Baobab Juice Launched


Back to basics® Baobab juice is extracted from fresh baobab fruit. Baobab juice is rich in calcium, iron, pectin, vitamin C and lots of healing compounds. Baobab juice has also been used in weight management, diabetes, stress, fatigue and general wellness.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Baobab Bedu Costume


Bedu occupies a border zone between savannah and forest. It is cut from the trees of both climatic zones and is made in the bush by the men of the village.

The mask is sculpted from the upper part of the roots of the Kapok tree, the largest forest tree of the region. The costume is made of bark taken from the Baobab tree, which has become the symbol of the African savannah.

By removing the log of wood or the "quilt" of bark, neither the Kapok nor the Baobab tree are "killed", they are merely "wounded". Such "hunting" terminology is often used in connection with sculpting Bedu or making its costume.

Hunting tools such as traps, machetes, guns, and bullets are traditionally manufactured by blacksmiths, who are highly valued for providing the tools (adze, chisel, machete) necessary for catching (sculpting) the "wild animal" (Bedu) or for hunting "toads" (Baobab bark) to "feed" (clothe) the animal.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Baobab Weavers


After several years of trying, finally it will happen. With a rented van, traveling companions and our Baobab Bag finisher we are off to the ladies who harvest, prepare and weave Baobab bags. Traveling the first day on what we once thought were rough roads, potholes and speed bump ridden wide dirt roads, our journey began. What we didn’t know was that the next day we would learn what “rough road” really means.

The map showed our route on a secondary and tertiary road. As we began driving the dusty secondary road, baobab trees appeared. Huge, towering, and spreading with a trunk that would take a dozen people to stretch hands around, the baobab commands attention. Climbing pins, barely visible in the folded and scarred trunk provide access to the multiple beehives hung in the massive limbs. Moving on, the herds boys, cows, goats, sheep and donkeys common to most of Kenya stroll the road and roadsides, as few vehicles travel here.

Every small fork in the road finds us asking, “Where is Tsheikuru?” Why is the way they choose always the,” One less traveled by?” But off we go. Now driving becomes an act of dodging rocks, ruts at least 2 feet deep and passing through the dry ditch where there once was a culvert, long since washed down with the seasonal torrent.

Huge volcanic peaks rise creating a beautiful driving distraction. The passengers become a bit nervous as the road drops sharply and curves around the mountainside. No guardrail on this small one lane road. As the vehicle moves slowly through small villages and past traditional homesteads, work stops to watch as the vehicle slowly picks its way through the rocks, holes and ditches, two wheels on the road, two wheels on the bushy angled roadside. That was the end of the secondary road.

Now we find the tertiary road. Scraping the sides of the van on the acacia, occasionally hitting the errant rock as we straddle a ditch deep enough to hide a large dog, we slowly make progress. “Are we there yet?” Not yet, as we approach a broad river bed with just a trickle in the middle. There are the remains of a double lane bridge high off the riverbed. The pieces of the bridge that remain hint at the glorious celebration when the bridge was new. But now only piles of stone show a long forgotten attempt at repair. In the riverbed the cows slowly meander searching for a deep enough pool to drink.

No way I can maneuver the rocks, the riverbed and the long climb up the other side. But maneuver I must. We have come too far now to quit. Walk the course, identify immovable rocks, and mud holes. Move the moveable, eye measure the ditches and then trust. Slowly, ever so slowly straddle the ditch but don’t slip, a little left, a little right into the riverbed. Search for enough traction to spin up the other side. WOW! Wonderful!! Oops, A shiver of fear, I have to go back later.

Now picking the way through the rocky, ditches seems easy. A little later, not another river!! This one is impossible, impassable. Have we come so far only to turn back? No, park the van and walk.

Down the bank, a hot, very hot, sandy riverbed burned holes through the soles of shoes. Relentless sun beating unmercilessly, I am truly glad I bothered to bring my hat. Does this river really fill up in the rains? The river’s banks loudly answer that question, as tall acacias lie tumbled into the river, more tell the story with their exposed roots.
Eventually our guide leads us up out of the searing riverbed onto a winding path. The path leads to a small mud hut in the bush. There, outside sitting on chairs, stumps and ground cloths are several Kamba ladies calmly chewing, making cordage and weaving. We have arrived!!

Taking our seats, the ladies begin to serve us warm soda and beans with rice, and show us how the process from Baobab tree to beautiful basket occurs. First the bark is cut from the tree in large rectangles. It is carried back to the shade at home where small strips are peeled off the tough exterior bark. The bark is then chewed. At first it is as dry as the dust, absorbing every drop of saliva.

Persevering through dry mouth, the saliva begins to respond and soon the hard dry bark is dripping and separating into fibers. Next the fibers are pulled and lengthened to prepare for the cordage process. Holding the fibers tightly in one hand against the flat of the thigh, the fibers are rolled against each other to form a thin firm thread. Fibers are added to the end to be twisted in until long strips of cordage are rolled into balls. Often the cream colored fibers are dyed with soot from the fire, roots, barks or berries. Once enough Baobab bark has been prepared the weaving begins.

The baskets are woven in several ways but most often using a spiral weave. Finally after about 5 weeks, the baskets are finished off and our order will be ready.

But the ladies will not let us leave quite yet. A song begins to roll, one of the women stands to dance. Such great laughter as we try to learn the hip thrusting, leg throwing dance of the Kamba.
Time is fleeting and we must leave. A bit more dehydrated, the long walk back to the van was slow and laborious. Never were we so glad to see the dusty vehicle and its cargo of bottled water.

Baobab Soluble Fiber Spray Dry Extract

Organic
Prebiotic
Gluten Free
Completely Soluble


Baobab Fruit Soluble Fibre can be used as a sugar and fat replacer, and in low-calorie foods (it is 0,46 Kcal per gram). It is also low-Carbohydrates ( 0,099 g per Gram) about 0 Fat presence (the product is derived from Dried Fruit) giving it good future potential in foods marketed as low on the glycaemic index and Prebiotic Activity (70 % Soluble Fibers).

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Flat Handle Baobab Bag


Hand woven from the Baobab tree in Kenya, Africa, this bag has approximately 13" of hand woven baobab and 3" of leather top. It measures 14" across when flat. This unique design allows you to carry it as a handbag or use the leather shoulder strap. A small leather flap closes the bag.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Picking Money from the Baobab Tree


The fruit of the highly revered African baobab tree is being seen as a great new opportunity for the poor, after a recent decision by the European Commission to allow its importation. According to one study, gathering the fruit has the potential to earn an extra US $1 billion a year for Africa, and bring work and income to 2.5 million households, most of them African bush dwellers (Britain’s Natural Resources Institute).

The fruit of the African baobab tree is mostly collected in the wild from the ancient trees, which can live for 500 years, with some as old as 5,000 years. The baobob enjoys the veneration and respect traditionally accorded to age in Africa, and features in many stories and myths.

The fruit is seen as highly nutritious and a new taste option for the European market. This could be a major potential boost to Africa; the European Union is the world’s biggest trader, accounting for 20 percent of global imports and exports, and a major trading partner of most African countries. South Africa alone exports Euro 20.9 billion a year to Europe (2007).

But serious concerns have been raised about how the harvesting of the fruit will be done, and under what conditions. Getting this right is critical if the sustainability of the fruit is to be maintained, local populations are to benefit, and local use of this food source — eaten by both people and animals — does not suffer.

European food and drink companies are looking to use the fruit of the tree to flavour a large range of products, from cereal to drinks.

Baobab fruit is valued for its alleged medicinal properties in treating fevers and diarrhoea, and as a calcium supplement.

“The potential is huge … We’re quite confident that it’s going to represent significant returns for rural producers,” Dr. Lucy Welford, marketing manager of PhytoTrade Africa, a trade organisation that campaigns for the sustainable use of African natural products, told Reuters.

“I’d say it’s somewhere between grapefruit and tamarind as a kind of flavour,” said Welford, who expects baobab fruit to be used at first to flavour smoothies and cereal bars. It could also be used in juices, ice-creams and jams or bakery products.

PhytoTrade works with South African firm Afriplex, which supplies baobab fruit pulp and extracts.

A refreshing juice made from baobab fruit pulp, known as “bouye” is widely served.

“The tart flavour, the interesting vitamin and nutrition profile and the sexy story that goes with it — that it’s wild harvested from a very lovely tree — these things add value to the existing products,” said marketing economist Ben Bennet, who wrote the 2007 Natural Resources Institute’s report.

In the baobab forests around Tandene village in Senegal, local farmers said they looked forward to earning much more from the trees. Prices for a kilo of baobab fruit varied between 40 US cents and a dollar, they said.

“If people know (that European consumers will buy the product) then they’ll look after the trees better and feed them less to their animals,” said farmer Alassane Sy.

Chido Makunike, an active commentator on food and agricultural issues in Africa, raises some serious concerns about how this is handled. “Being a non-cultivated forest product, who ‘owns’ the baobab fruit? Can anybody just take a truck into the forest, collect the fruit and export it? Obviously the sudden dramatic change in the economic importance of the baobab will open up many questions that will need regulation.”

He worries the fruit will just be exported in its raw form, and processed into products in Europe - leaving Africa and Africans the ones who benefit least economically.

“Yet baobab is a dry, not-easily perishable, easy to process fruit,” he said. “It would not be difficult to have the smoothies and cereal bars that are being contemplated for its use made in Africa and exported as finished product, producing many downstream benefits and keeping more of the wealth to be generated within the continent.”

Monday, June 15, 2009

Baobab & Shea Butter Skin Renewal Cream


This unique formula combines the proven anti-aging properties of Unrefined Shea Butter with the skin renewing strengths of Pure, Wild African Baobab Extracts and Oil for youthful and radiant skin. Leaf and bark extracts tighten and tone skin, while oil from the seeds moisturizes and encourages skin cell regeneration. Our Baobab products are sustainably harvested from wild Baobab trees and the oil is traditionally extracted and 100% unrefined for maximum effectiveness. 68ml

Sunday, June 14, 2009

THERANAKA MOISTURISING BAOBAB BEAUTY BATH


This treatment begins with an exfoliation after which the client is immersed in a rich, luxurious moisturizing milk bath containing Baobab Tree Oil, whilst receiving a head and shoulder massage. A rich cream containing Mafura Butter is then massaged into the body leaving it silky smooth and soft. An African soul treatment!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Baobab Oil for Cooking


The khumbo oil refinery is located near Michiru in Blantyre district. As an OVOP project they are making oil products such as cooking oil, soap, and body lotion which are extracted from plants like Moringa, Jatropha, Sunflower and Baobab.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Back to Basics Baobab Moisturiser


“African Natural Products” is dedicated to mobilization, training, processing, value addition and marketing of indigenous natural agricultural, body, and health products in Africa. Baobab is the backbone of our product line.

It works with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in rural and semi arid parts of East Africa to provide a sustainable market for wild collected and domesticated Non Timber Forestry products.

ANP’s has a portfolio of 22 products branded “Back to basics”. The range includes agricultural inputs, herbal teas, health functional juices, bee, natural body and health care products.

The company seeks to build public private sector partnership not only to integrate the supply chain and improve the transformation options but also to improve global competitiveness for the East Africa’s natural products product offering.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Food As Pharma


Time Magazine

Hippocrates once said, "Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food," and doctors now believe that ancient Greek healer may have been onto something. We need food for nourishment, of course. Without it, our cells and tissues would wither away from starvation. But what's becoming clearer is that food is more than just fuel. What you eat can determine how elastic your blood vessels are, how easily you resist cancer-causing toxins and whether or not you will barrel down the road toward heart disease.

"There is an overwhelmingly strong database of studies suggesting that the quality of calories we eat has a huge impact on our well-being and our risk of chronic disease and longevity," says Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston.

But does food have real power to prevent disease? That's the claim behind functional foods — products that are enhanced or otherwise designed to do much more than simply supply us with needed calories and nutrients.

And the early evidence suggests that the kitchen may indeed contain potent disease-fighting agents, just as the medicine cabinet does. In a groundbreaking 2002 study, researchers found that people at risk of diabetes could delay or in some cases even prevent the disease from developing by eating fewer calories, getting them from the right kinds of foods and exercising more than two hours a week.

Even more intriguing, the study revealed that people who were genetically predisposed to diabetes benefited most. In essence, diet and other lifestyle factors altered their genetic destiny.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

100,000 Tons of Baobab Produced in 2008


What will happen when Baobab goes Global?

In reponse to an article published in June in the New York Times we have posted a response from Jonathan Landrey Chief Executive of PhytoTrade Africa.

We are delighted that Dawn Starin is as excited as we are about the potential economic benefits to Africans of the growing international interest in baobab as a superfruit ("What will happen when the Baobab goes global?) However, her concerns that the trade threatens forests and household wealth are thankfully based on conjecture not fact.

PhytoTrade Africa is a non-profit trade association that has gained regulatory approval for international trade in baobab. We have developed the market with exactly the sort of economic, social and environmental safeguards that Starin is calling for.

The existing population of over 28 million baobab trees in southern Africa produces over 100,000 tons of Baobab powder per annum for market - several times more than the highest prediction of commercial demand. Far from threatening forests, ethical trade in baobab incentivizes African communities to protect and sustainably manage their local trees rather than clearing them, thus protecting biodiversity.

Jonathan Landrey
Chief Executive, PhytoTrade Africa

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Baobab Cosmetics Company


Anolis Pharma is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative, pure and gentle cosmetics with excellent skin care properties.

As a small company we aim to minimize production and marketing costs to deliver products at a fair price.

We use state of the art technology and manufacturing to provide your skin with the best.

Beobab Resilience Face Mask (150ml)

Features: Our Beobab® Resilience Face Mask (indulges) the skin with its unique combination of untreated Baobab fruit pulp, fruit pulp extract and other rejuvinating plant extracts. It feeds your skin with protective antioxidants, protects from ageing free radicals, and encourages skin regeneration, all the while leaving skin silky-smooth.

Usage: Apply a thin, even layer to the skin, leave on for 15 - 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Use 2-3 times per week.

Monday, June 8, 2009

The business behind baobab: Africa’s superfruit


Financial success is a big enough ambition for most entrepreneurs, but not for Chris Dohse. Not only does want to make money, but he is also out to change the lives of millions and save vast areas of endangered African forest

Behind his business TreeCrops - based in Lilongwe, Malawi - is the baobab, a fruit that looks like a velvety green coconut and has been dubbed “the new superfruit” by market research gurus Mintel. Baobab grows wild in Africa in huge quantities and while Africans have eaten it for millennia, few Europeans has even heard of it until the EU approved it for use in food and drink in 2008. Thanks to its remarkable nutrient profile, baobab is now attracting intense interest from international food companies.

Chris Dohse, originally from Konstanz on the German-Swiss border, spotted the commercial potential of baobab ten years ago when he first came to Malawi. ‘I knew it could be the next mango,’ he says.

A professional forester and ardent environmentalist (he is also Chair of the Wildlife & Environmental Society of Malawi), Dohse believes that developing a global market for baobab can deliver income to poor communities while protecting the biodiversity of Africa’s natural woodlands.

‘We help communities and their leaders to recognise that their woodlands have commercial potential and can be a source of income. By doing so, we encourage them to protect the trees and stop the burning and clearing of the forest,’ he says.

Dohse established his company – TreeCrops Malawi – in 2003 with assistance from the German Development Service (DED). He was joined by Malawian Rosby Mthimba, who also saw the potential of baobab to make a real difference to the lives of rural people.

Mthimba plays a key role in managing the relationship between TreeCrops and the communities, training collectors in how to harvest baobab sustainably, how to handle and store it, and how to plan their land use.

‘It is Rosby’s commitment and talent for making convincing arguments that has made TreeCrops a success,’ says Dohse. ‘She translates my thoughts into the local language and gets the villagers on board. I couldn’t do this without her.’

TreeCrops guarantees to buy baobab from the communities it works with, substantially increasing the average annual income for villagers. In recognition of the traditional knowledge on which its business is based, the company also returns a percentage of its own sales to help fund community projects such as boreholes, school buildings, or forest regeneration.

According to Ben Bennett of the UK’s Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich, TreeCrops provides a model for what could become a massive industry.

‘The numbers could be significant,’ says Bennett. ‘If baobab production is fully commercialised across Southern Africa, it could generate a $1 billion global trade and deliver life-changing income to 2.5 million poor rural households. ‘

At TreeCrops, Dohse is using state-of-the-art professional forestry techniques such as GPS mapping to identify and monitor over 3000 wild baobab trees. He predicts production capacity with ruthless accuracy, plans for long term sustainability and provides communities with maps of their own land and trees.

‘The concept of owning trees is new for rural people in Malawi,’ he says. ‘Beforehand the woodlands were considered common land and no one took responsibility for them. Things are changing now that communities have a financial incentive to look after their resources.’

2009 promises to be the breakthrough year for baobab. Having succeeded in opening up the European market, PhytoTrade Africa – the trade body for the Southern African natural products industry – has its sights set on the US. It has producers in Zambia and Mozambique ready to join TreeCrops in baobab production as demand from the West grows.

As for Chris Dohse and Rosby Mthimba, the pioneers of the baobab industry, where next?

‘The African forest is an untapped treasure trove,’ says Dohse. ‘There are dozens of species other than baobab that have a place in Western markets, for foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. We’re currently talking to a big German company about a plant extract with potential use in a heart drug. The future is looking brighter both for rural people here and the forest.’

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Organics sales reach double-digit growth in 2008


May 05,2009
By: Jane Hoback

Nonfood items such as supplements, personal care products, linens and clothing propelled an increase in U.S. sales of organic products in 2008, according to a new survey by the Organic Trade Association.

Sales of organic products, both food and nonfood, totaled $24.6 billion in 2008, a 17.1 percent increase over 2007, according to OTA's 2009 Organic Industry Survey.

The survey, conducted by the Lieberman Research Group, showed that organic food sales grew 15.8 percent to $22.9 billion. Organic food now accounts for 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the U.S., the OTA said. Total U.S. food sales grew 4.9 percent in 2008.

Meanwhile, organic nonfood sales reached nearly $1.65 billion, a whopping 39.4 percent increase over 2007 sales.

"Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director.

In organic nonfood categories:

Supplements sales grew 38 percent to $566 million
Fiber, including linen and clothing, grew 65 percent to $472 million
Personal care products grew 19 percent to $443 million
Pet food grew 48 percent to $76 million
Household products grew 42 percent to $50 million
Flowers grew 54 percent to $42 million

"It is not surprising to see higher rates of growth in the organic nonfoods categories than the organic foods categories, as this sector is less mature than organic foods in general," the OTA said in its executive summary of the report.

Consultant Debbie Swoboda, of Stuart, Fla.-based Debbie Swoboda Marketing Solutions, isn't surprised at the results either. "People are becoming more aware," she said. "And in many cases, prices have come down."

Organic baby clothes, for example, are gaining in popularity, Swoboda said.

In the organic food categories, fruits and vegetables accounted for the lion's share of sales – 37 percent, followed by beverage and dairy, with 14 percent each.

Organic breads and grains and beverages showed the strongest growth. Breads and grains were up 35 percent over 2007. Beverages were up 40 percent.

Swoboda wondered what effects the lingering bad economy will have on organic sales in 2009. "People are concerned. But our industry is still up."

During hard times, dietary supplements pump $60B into national economy


May 28,2009
By: Angela Cortez

Despite the current recession, the dietary supplements industry is growing, creating jobs and pumping $60 billion into the national economy, according to a new study cited by the Natural Products Association.

"If you take a dollar and drop in the pool, you come up with almost three dollars," said the study's author Joan DaVanzo of the health care consulting firm Dobson DaVanzo.

For every dietary supplements dollar spent, the economic contribution is $2.71. The industry also accounts for more than 1 percent of total U.S. health expenditures during the last 10 years, according to the report: The Economic Contribution of the Dietary Supplements in the United States.

The industry contributes about $60 billion to the economy through direct and "ripple effects," DaVanzo said. Directly, it accounted for $22.5 billion in 2006, the latest year statistics were compiled in the study. But DaVanzo said newer statistics indicate continued growth, as dietary supplements sales climbed 5.9 percent to $23.7 billion in 2007.

Because dietary supplements are produced by a large number of manufactures and distributed through a variety of channels, the supply chain involves a number of industries, including retail, agriculture and transport, delivery and warehousing. Those industries stimulate other jobs.

"It starts with suppliers and goes to natural products stores and online venders, so you can see the chain," DaVanzo said. "The net is $22 billion, but once it ripples through where jobs are related … the (dietary supplements) industry touches so many different industries."

Dietary supplements also provide the direct employment of nearly 200,000 people. Under the ripple effect, those jobs expand to more than 400,000 within about 100 different industries.

The study is the first of its kind to measure the economic ripple of the dietary supplements industry, an industry in which 80 percent of Americans buy vitamins and other supplemental health aids. DaVanzo said the growth can be attributed to the fact that as the population ages, people are taking a greater role in seeking out ways to remain healthy.

The industry also pays more than $10 billion in local and federal taxes.

David Seckman, executive director and CEO of Natural Products Association, is using the report in his discussions with state legislators, as well as members of the U.S. Congress, to show that the industry is an economic driver that shouldn't be over-regulated.

"With the health care reform debate going on, this information is critical," he said.

The study was commissioned by the Natural Products Foundation, a nonprofit that supports dietary supplement industry research and education.

Baobab Soap Hits Marketplace


Tropical Wholesfoods has Launched a New Soap for Men.

A very pure, soft and emollient, non fragranced soap - containing the oil of the thousand year old African Baobab Tree. Baobab oil is known for it's anti-wrinkle and skin enhancing properties- it has been used for centuries by women including Cleopatra to keep their skin young and smooth looking. Aloe Vera gel adds to the skin healing and cell repairing and non skin drying actions - good for spots and acne. Excellent for everyone from babies to the elderly especially people with very sensitive skin.
Ingredients:
Coconut (Cocos Nucifera), Baobab Oil (cold pressed), Aloe Vera (inner leaf gel)
Not tested on animals and suitable for vegans.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Baobab African Product Company


Akoma is a U.K. based company who use baobab as an ingredient for some of their products.

Their Mission is to provide a 'quality of goods' scale to assist companies in Africa to widen their market and provide reassurance to international customers.
To source and distribute the fairest, highest quality natural ingredients from Africa to customers worldwide.
Promote 100% pure and natural cosmetics and ingredients at competitive prices.
Encourage fair trade and promote natural African products worldwide.

Boabab Oil Certified Organic
Boabab Oil Certified Organic
(Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis)
Made from the seeds of the baobab fruit. Baobab oil is rich in essential fatty acids and possess qualities that contribute towards maintaining healthy skin. It is clear, golden yellow oil that has a slight nutty odour.
Common uses: Body creams, lotions, bath oils, massage products and cosmetics.
Extraction Method:Cold pressing of the dried baobab seed
Ingredients: Baobab oil
Origin: Southern Africa
Shelf Life: 1 year

Friday, June 5, 2009

Baobab Lip Balm from Allafia











Washington State company makes a difference


Today, Africa is considered the poorest continent on Earth. Seventy-seven percent of Africans live on less than $2 per day, and women and children make up the majority of this number. African families must also cope with the impacts of diseases such as AIDS and malaria, high unemployment rates, and increasing problems with air and water pollution, including access to potable water.

Because I grew up in poverty in Togo, I feel morally responsible to dedicate my life to empowering our communities in Africa. I have chosen to promote indigenous African natural resources that are culturally, spiritually, economically and ecologically sustainable.

We also believe that Fair Trade applies to more than African communities and resources. The same care and philosophies are applied when crafting our creams, lotions, and soaps in Olympia, WA. We bring our handcrafted oils to Olympia, where we make our final products by hand in small batches.

We combine our handcrafted oils with other high quality ingredients, including pure essential oils and food grade preservatives. We believe customers should have access to body care products made with unrefined, natural ingredients free of harmful chemicals, such as parabens and petroleum derivatives.

Olowo-n'djo Tchala, Founder

Shea Butter & Baobab Lip Balm

Protect, moisturize and renew with Unrefined Shea Butter and Baobab Oil. Baobab Oil encourages cell growth, while shea butter has natural UV protective factors. Unique, smooth lip balm is enhanced with Sweet Orange and Mint essential oils. 0.15 oz.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

African Baobab Lemonade


African Baobab Lemonade

As with most alchemy it must begin with magic ingredients and after much brewing of various potions we came up with this very limited edition Baobab Lemonade. It’s definitely changed the water to a golden colour but the lovely smooth refreshing ultra Lemony taste was the Holy Grail and one of those eureka moments!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Baobab Make-up Line


Embark on the ultimate safari into the grasslands of the Serengeti! Sweep your lids with these shimmering shadows, infused with nourishing Baobab Oil and healing Moringa Oil. Makeup that mends and creates sparkling eyes with one sweep of color. if you have blue eyes, the Arusha plum colors will look natural, the Eldoret golds will make your blue eyes pop, and the Mombasa has fun colors to play up your eyes. If you have brown eyes, the Eldoret will give you a natural look the Arusha plum colors will create a brighter eye, and Mombasa colors will brighten and play up your eyes. Compact has a built-in mirror.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Body Shop Launches Baobab Cosmetic





The Body Shop has recently launched a new Baobab cosmetic
Flawless Skin Protecting Concealer

A stylish cream-to-powder concealer enriched with baobab oil, naturally rich in vitamins and moisturising agents to care for your skin and zinc oxide to help combat impurities. The product features a sophisticated delivery system with clear active essence suspended in a special core structure.

Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation SPF25

A highly innovative cream-to powder foundation enriched with baobab oil. It provides a perfect colour blend for an instantly healthy-looking, flawless complexion. Thousands of tiny spheres smooth over your skin giving it an even skin tone and natural appearance. A mineral defence shield complex including botanical moisturisers and vitamins cares for your skin and helps protect it from sun damage. Blends from a soft cream to a radiant velvet powder on contact. Provides medium to full coverage. Available in 6 shades. Dermatologically tested. Non comodogenic.

This product contains:
Baobab Oil - From the 'tree of life' with high levels of vitamins and natural moisturisers. Encourages the regeneration of skin cells, helps improves elasticity and prevents drying, for youthful-looking radiant skin.

Vitamins A, E and F - Including essential fatty acids naturally present in Baobab and Marula Oil. Helps to improve, condition and maintain

Encapsulated Vitamin C - A unique volatile silicone gel network which delivers a large dose of vitamin C to the skin. Vitamin C helps to promote the growth of collagen.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Baobab Shower Oil Fair Trade














Esteban of France in association with Nippon Kodo of Japan has produced a new Baobab product line.

Esteban blends the finest French fragrances with Japanese traditional incense which gives you a totally new, intriguing quality. Made by the top French fragrance company - Esteban, in cooperation with the Japanese incense studio Nippon Kodo.

Shower Oil
The light, sensual texture of this skin care shower oil, containing baobab oil and shea butter, wraps you in a soft, light foam that rinses off easily. Your skin is soft and supple. 200 ml. - 6.6 fl-oz. * fair trade certified

Body Balm
This balm, containing baobab oil and shea butter, gives your skin a silky touch and an immediate feeling of comfort.
It spreads easily on the skin, and a light massage helps it penetrate. 150 ml. - 5 fl-oz., fair trade certified.