Nearly 2 billion shea trees grow naturally on parklands in 21 African countries stretching from Senegal to South Sudan, while 16 million women living in rural communities individually collect fresh shea fruits and kernel for processing. Shea offers technical and health benefits as cooking oil and food/cosmetic ingredient. As of today, more than half of all shea export is processed in West Africa as shea butter, shea stearin and shea olein. With approximately 800,000 tons collected each year, global demand for shea has seen significant growth on the back of new shea applications in food and cosmetics, increased investment in supply expansion and processing. The shea industry provides a critical source of jobs and incomes to often poor and underserved communities.
The Global Shea Alliance sustainability guidelines were developed in consultation with women’s groups, non-profits, U.S. and European food and cosmetic brands, and international oils and fats suppliers. The guidelines promote women’s empowerment, decent working conditions, development of local communities, and the protection of ecosystems by outlining best business practices for all stakeholders.
Utilizing the guidelines, the GSA adopted the following projects (work streams) to be implemented through the sustainability program: (1) storage facilities for women’s groups in shea communities; (2) capacity building and business training for women’s groups; (3) pilot projects to improve the health and safety of collectors; (4) research and development of improved planting materials; (5) parkland management trainings for shea communities; and (6) conservation pilot projects.
The guidelines and work streams are implemented by registered partners of the sustainability program. Any GSA member may register as a sustainability partner.
The GSA will research and update the projects and guidelines each year to ensure the program continually improves and meets industry needs.
The cumulative results of the GSA's sustainability activities, since the program launch in 2014, can be found here: https://globalshea.com/sustainability-program?page=NDIyMjYyNzI2LjAyNA==/Sustainability%20Program
