SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
SUSTAINABLE CASHEW
We are committed to building a sustainable and responsible cashew value chain. At the heart of our commitment is a conviction that business practices which are rooted in universal principles help the global marketplace to be more socially and economically inclusive.
Our sustainability and responsibility efforts start with our value system and a principles-based approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. We have been on a path to differentiate ourselves from peers by being a responsible corporate citizen with a significant focus on sustainability and responsibility. As a testimony to this commitment, we joined the UN Global Compact in the Food Producers category on 1st October 2018. UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with thousands of business participants and other stakeholders from civil society, labour and government based in over 160 countries. Having a presence at every stage of the cashew value chain helps us to ensure sustainability, responsibility and traceability throughout the value chain. Sustainable and responsible business practices, combined with collaboration and innovation, can bring about powerful change in markets and societies - proving that principles and profits go hand in hand.
Our people make Alphonsa the company it is today and will be what drives our sustainable growth. Taking care of our people has been our greatest passion that has been instilled on us by our founders and the same spirit has been handed down the generations. Having a responsible approach to all stages of the value chain is our commitment towards building a healthy and inclusive cashew company. We will always remain committed to creating the right blend of talent, keeping them safe and ensuring they are professionally fulfilled. We assume responsibility beyond the company itself, taking our customers, employees and the society all into account by aligning their interests and goals with ours.
We are committed to building sustainable livelihoods and enriching communities where we operate. We provide permanent employment to over 2600 employees.
“Our sustainability principles and initiatives greatly help our customers in achieving their sustainability goals.”
Embedding Sustainability and Responsibility into our Value Chain.
Doing business in a sustainable and responsible way has been a passion for us because being a family business, we truly understand the importance of saving for the next generation.
Sustainable and Responsible Procurement
We maintain high ethical standards with our suppliers, including smallholder farmers and farm-gate aggregators. Raw cashew nuts are predominately grown in economically fragile areas. Our intent is to procure the nuts in a manner that safeguards the communities’ social fabric and environmental resources.
Sustainable and Responsible Storage & Transport
Storage and Transport plays a vital role in value optimisation. Our energy- efficient storage facilities across origins and processing destinations have been built and maintained sustainably and responsibly. Exclusive arrangements with shipping lines who are committed to sustainability advances our efforts.
Sustainable and Responsible Processing
Keeping our people safe is our first and primary responsibility as a company. Safety at work is a fundamental human right, and workplace conditions directly influence workers as well as their families. Our Code of Conduct is consistent with the UN’s declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organisation conventions.
Sustainable and Responsible Distribution
We are committed to creating a sustainable and responsible supply chain that helps us to distribute our cashew nuts worldwide in a way that respects the environment. Our commitment includes our constant efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and bring in sustainable and responsible practices in physical transportation, warehousing, packaging and labelling.
Sustainability Policies
At the heart of our commitment is a conviction that business practices which are rooted in universal principles help the global marketplace to be more socially and economically inclusive. Sustainable and responsible business practices, combined with collaboration and innovation, can bring about powerful change in markets and societies - proving that principles and profits go hand in hand.
Human Rights
We recognise the valuable role that business can play in the short and long term protection of human rights.
Labour
We are committed to making our workplace safe and inclusive for all of our employees.
Environment
We are committed to conducting our business operations with high regard for the environment.
Anti-Corruption
We are committed to set high standards of ethical behaviour both within and outside the company.
We partner with global organisations to build a sustainable cashew value chain.
We realise the importance of reaching beyond our internal boundaries to a variety of external stakeholders for embedding sustainability principles into our business core.
United Nations Global Compact
Alphonsa Cashew Industries formally joined the United Nations Global Compact in the Food Producers category on 1st October 2018. UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with thousands of business participants and other stakeholders from civil society, labour and government based in over 160 countries. Having a presence at every stage of the cashew value chain helps us to ensure sustainability, responsibility and traceability throughout the value chain.
Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI)
Alphonsa Cashew Industries reaffirms its commitment to sustainability by partnering with Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI) to promote a sustainable and responsible cashew value chain. SNI is a cooperation platform for the nut sector. SNI’s aim is to bring the nut sector to a higher level in terms of professionality, sustainability and quality. With the support of IDH and FairMatch Support, SNI was founded in 2015 by a number of front running private sector parties.
