Oilseed crops: OY's next step toward global exports
Organic Yemen (OY) is now developing new cosmetic oilseed crops such as argan, rosehip, castor, tamanu, and black seed oil. With a universal demand for oilseeds crops, OY will sell these products to retail customers in global markets.
The company is particularly targeting markets in Southeast Asia and the Gulf, via its proprietary, high-end Yuri & Terra (Y&T) brand. That is because projections indicate unprecedented demand for unique and specialty oils in these markets.
How OY got ready for breaking into the oilseed crops market
OY’s move to develop oilseed crops follows recent success in growing and exporting jojoba and moringa starting July 2021.
Investors are certain to make significant profit margins. Also, Yemeni farmers will generate substantial income from this venture with OY. Moreover, to guarantee production success, OY will use its strong relationships with research institutions located across the country to identify the ideal growing conditions for each crop. The company will also deploy its data infrastructure, use its expertise in data-driven agricultural investment, and leverage its export linkages to ensure the highest profit with the lowest risk for its impact investors.
Yuri & Terra:
OY's international cosmetic brand
Some of Yuri & Terra products
Earlier this year, OY launched Yuri & Terra (Y&T), a high-end brand for selling through e-commerce channels worldwide. Since then, Y&T has enabled OY to create a direct relationship with customers and build a global reputation for Yemeni products. Y&T has also empowered OY to increase its profit margins while lowering its investors' risks.
To expand its reach, Y&T recently launched a website in English, Thai, and Arabic and has also opened up storefronts on Lazada and Shopee.
Organic Yemen's experience exporting cosmetic oils
Overall, OY has built its capacity to grow and export Yemen agriculture products. Its first two successes have been jojoba and moringa.
Jojoba oil by Yuri & Terra
Jojoba
This is the only plant whose seeds store wax, not oil. This liquid wax is what is popularly referred to as jojoba oil, and can be used for many purposes. The moisturizing ability of jojoba oil makes it an ideal ingredient in cosmetic and skin-care products. It is also a very stable oil and gives products long shelf life.
Moringa oil by Yuri & Terra
Moringa
This herbal plant boasts multiple nutritive, food, and medicinal uses. Its products are used in several industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and superfood dietary supplements. Moringa oil for example is one of the most oxidative, stable oils for restoring and improving skin hydration.
OY builds on proven success in exporting cosmetic oils
Early this year, Organic Yemen started exporting cosmetic oils to Asia. These included hundreds of kilograms of Yemen jojoba and moringa oils to Thailand in early June 2021. This has been achieved in the midst of ongoing civil conflict and challenges caused by climate change. It is evidence of OY’s organizational, infrastructural and strategic capacities. Leveraging on these, the company is now looking to build on recent successes by developing new oilseed crops.
OY has already partnered with local universities and Agriculture Research and Extension Authority (AREA) bureaus in Seiyun, al-Mukalla, Mareb, Ibb, and Ghail Ba Wazir to identify the best growing locations and local growing partners. Together with them, OY will establish test plots and commercial-scale farms in partnership with impact investors. This will enable the growing of crops suited to Yemen’s arid environment, and result in high-value products for Yemen export.
Subsequently, OY will sell the products in pure and formulated forms via existing and new online sales channels. This will doubly increase profits whilst lowering risks to OY’s impact investors.
Oilseed crop selection based on latest consumer trends
OY has chosen the new crop candidates based on the intersection of rising global demand and suitability for growing under Yemen climate conditions.
These include:
Why argan oil is so expensive?
Argan
Argan is native to Morocco. Calcareous soils and semi-desert conditions are suitable for the growth of Argan and Yemen provides the same. Argan oil cosmetics and hair care preparations are very popular and include face creams, lip glosses, shampoos, moisturizers, and soaps. The market for argan oil is also growing. Cosmetic giants such as L'Oréal, whom OY is partnering with, are already buying and using argan oil for its cosmetic lines.
Rosehip
Rosehip comes in several varieties, including Rosa rugose and Rosa canina. Rosehip oil is a seed oil extracted from the ‘hip’ of the rose plant. It is used in moisturizing and anti-aging cosmetic oils. Yuri & Terra will soon launch a Trio oil including moringa, jojoba, and rosehip oil blend via its online sales channels.
Castor
Castor is a hardy crop, easy to establish on the field, resistant to drought, tolerates different types of soil. More than 700 uses assure its global demand. This includes cosmetic uses for skincare products such as lotions, makeup, and cleansers.
Black seed
(Nigella Sativa)
This is an annual flowering plant native to Southwest Asia. Black seed oil is extracted from its seeds. It is used for skin and hair concerns, such as dry hair, acne, and dry skin.
Tamanu
(Calophyllum Inophyllum)
Tamanu oil is extracted from the seeds of the tamanu nut tree. It is used in face and body oils, moisturizers, and serums as well as some hair care products.
Organic Yemen:
Your partner for growing & exporting oilseed crops
Organic Yemen breaking ground on new oilseed farm in Yemen
OY is excited to add these new oilseed crops to its portfolio of high-end cosmetic crops. This broadens and provides OY’s investors with a vast range of investment options. OY, therefore, remains the only company in Yemen that is able to offer impact investors an end-to-end solution. This ranges from new crop research through planting, growing optimization, and processing, to export and final sale via Y&T.
This high-end retail brand takes the products to a global audience. Already, OY has obtained trademarks from high-demand Markets in Asia, including the UAE. OY is therefore proud to work with local partners, including research institutions. These partnerships are helping us create globally competitive brands. OY will be leveraging them for developing these new oilseed crops. Moreover, the partnerships not only increase Yemen exports but also bring income to farmers and improve Yemen’s image around the world.