We are Kahai
Premium Cacay Products of Sustainable Origin
Kahai is the first company to industrialize the “Cacay”, an Amazonian tree that produces nuts from which we extract a fine cosmetic oil and a protein of high nutritional value.
Our mission is to establish the cultivation of Cacay as an alternative for sustainable economic development and to turn it into an icon of Colombian biodiversity.
At Kahai, we are dedicated to the production and commercialization of Cacay products, integrating the entire value chain.
We promote wild harvesting with educational campaigns to protect the species and generate income for more than 200 peasant and indigenous families in conflict zones.
We promote wild harvesting with educational campaigns to protect the species and generate income for more than 200 peasant and indigenous families in conflict zones.
We have developed technology to cultivate Cacay trees, reducing the unproductive period from 8 to 3 years through grafting and increasing productivity by 80%.
We have also designed machinery to process the nuts, oil and protein, seeking to achieve “Zero Waste” by taking advantage of all the fruit.
We have more than 650 hectares of our own plantations and we promote the reforestation of 5,000 hectares in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco regions, involving:
• Peasant and indigenous communities in social programs to replace illicit crops and promote development in remote areas.
• Farmers and investors to establish commercial plantations, increase supply and strengthen the industry.
Kahai is a company committed to sustainable development. We apply Fair Trade principles to improve the quality of life of the communities and promote ecological practices in crops to reduce environmental impact.
The global market for nuts and cosmetic oils is large, growing and high value. Since 2009, with the support of Procolombia and the CBI (a Dutch agency that helps companies from emerging economies enter the European market), Kahai has been opening markets for its products. Currently, we export to more than 12 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Australia.
AWARDS
Due to its high degree of innovation and strong focus towards sustainability, the company has earn several awards and acknowledgements, both localy and internationaly.
“Colombia is the most biodiverse country per square meter in the world,and Kahai is the first large-scale project that takes advantage of its biodiversityof its biodiversity for the country’s economic development”.
SUSTAINABILITY
By consuming our products you are helping us generate the following impacts:
SOCIAL
• Wild harvest generates income for peasant and indigenous communities in conflict zones.
• Cacay cultivation is a new alternative for the planet’s food security, since the tree produces nuts, oil, protein and honey.
• It is a highly profitable alternative for illicit crops substitution and poverty erradication in the countryside. One hectare generates an average household income of more than one minimum wage per month, for over 50 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL
• To meet its demand, the company is reforesting 5,000 hectares with Cacay in the Colombian Amazon, helping to counteract global warming, improving soils and protecting watersheds.
• By publicizing its economic potential, it promotes the conservation of the species, which has been deforested for its firewood.
ECONOMIC
• Promotes biodiversity as a competitive factor for Colombian economic development.
• Generates employment and development in remote areas.
• It is a source of innovation for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Its operation is located in Villavicencio, where the company has the processing facility. Its plantations are located in eastern Colombia, in an area of high agro-industrial development near Puerto Gaitán, Meta.
Work Team
Kahai has a highly committed and quality-oriented team, with professionals who share a passion for generating social and environmental impact, making history with Cacay.
SOME OF OUR SOCIAL PROJECTS
Agroforestry systems with Chestnut trees as a strategy for ecological restoration and sustainable production with a landscape approach in the Fragua Churumbelos corridor for peasant and indigenous families.
Allies: Amazon Conservation Team, ACT-Colombia, Proplab, Colombia Sostenible Location: Municipalities of Belén de los Andaquíes and San José del Fragua Families impacted: 66
SONPAZ Sociedad-Naturaleza-Paz with Cooperativa Multiactiva JE Allies: Agreement 002 between Parques Nacionales Naturales and WWF Location: Villavicencio Families impacted: 40
Strengthening of the Caryodendron orinocense value chain as an alternative to strengthen environmental, economic and social sustainability processes with local communities.
Partners: Amazon Conservation Team, ACT-Colombia Location: Department of Caquetá, with emphasis on the municipalities of San José del Fragua, Belén de los Andaquíes and Solano.
Families impacted: 50
Implementation of technological and educational strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, water management and clean energy Allies: Cormacarena, ASODEICOL Location: Department of Meta Families impacted: 20
