ofi unveils 2030 sustainable spice strategy

Food ingredients company ofi has published its first sustainability strategy for spices – with ‘Spice Maps’ acknowledging the local nature of the challenge.

The strategy identifies six priority spices and the local sustainability issues facing them. With Spice Maps, ofi has set distinct 2030 targets for pepper, chile, turmeric, onion, cassia, and coconut, alongside specific areas of focus across the major spice-growing regions of the US, Mexico, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. 

For instance, the strategy will focus particularly on water stewardship in drought-prone onion regions of Egypt and the US, with the piloting of regenerative technologies. In Vietnam and Cambodia, much of the focus will be on reducing emissions and strengthening community infrastructure to make black pepper farms more resilient to climate change.

And in India, ofi will support chile farmers to reduce chemical inputs through modern agronomic practices.

Increasing climate resilience for fast-growing ingredient categories

Burcu Turkay, Global Head of Sustainability for Nuts and Spices at ofi, said: “By targeting the specific challenges facing farmers in each crop and country, we set goals that reflect local realities and track progress that matters to communities, landscapes, and our customers.

“We’re leveraging over 20 years of sustainability experience and deep farming relationships to create tailored solutions for the world’s biggest food and beverage brands – delivering both flavor and functionality, from clean-label spice blends to protein-rich nut ingredients.”

The strategy has been launched alongside ofi’s annual Nut Trails impact report, which works alongside Spice Maps to build more resilient and sustainable supply chains for two of the world’s fastest-growing ingredients categories.

Both are part of ofi’s overarching Choices for Change sustainability strategy, which according to Chief Sustainability Officer Roel van Poppel, focuses primarily on farmer livelihood as the cornerstone of food system sustainability. 

Using AI to optimise sustainable outcomes

ofi is also using AI and automation to improve sustainability. In its California almond orchards, for example, AI-powered soil sensors optimise irrigation while smart-spraying technology reduces herbicide use by up to 80%. 

The company managed to cut 56% of its Scope 1 emissions in 2024 through solar power and is installing a new solar plant at the Kerabury Orchards in New South Wales to provide 83% of energy needs, cutting annual emissions by 5,500 tCO2e.

Technology is also supporting traceability and ofi’s social sustainability goals. In Côte d’Ivoire, the company’s geo-location app digitally screened 22,000 children for malnutrition and referred 370 for treatment.

In Cambodia, 3,000 pepper farmers now use the ofi Direct app to connect with buyers, supporting traceability and fairer pricing. “Our ongoing investment in data systems, traceability, and direct engagement at origin, is fundamental to building supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, and capable of meeting the evolving demands of our customers, while making a real difference for people and the planet,” added Turkay.