Client: Mavuno Cooperative Union
Location: Northern Uganda
Type: Agricultural cooperative representing 800+ smallholder farmers
Industry Term: Cooperative
Use Case: Aggregate post-harvest volumes for container-scale export with pricing control and documentation support
Background
Mavuno Cooperative Union manages post-harvest collection, basic cleaning, and bagging for sesame, cowpeas, and millet grown by smallholder members. While the co-op produced consistent volumes, they were forced to sell to middlemen at harvest-time discounts, losing value and control. The board wanted to move up the value chain and export directly, but lacked experience in deal structuring, international buyer access, and documentation management.
Challenges Before Nowexo
- Price Suppression: Buyers offered low rates due to lack of traceability and direct access
- Limited Trade Capacity: No in-house export or compliance officer
- Fragmented Volumes: Aggregation took time, and buyers wouldn’t wait
- No Market Visibility: Couldn’t benchmark offers or evaluate demand by region
- Dependence on Local Traders: Reduced negotiating power and delayed payments to members
What We Did with Nowexo
- Aggregation Planning: Helped Mavuno map volumes across its zones and align availability with buyer timelines
- Spec Definition: Created standard product specs with acceptable moisture, cleanliness, and sorting grades
- Verified Buyer Matching: Connected Mavuno with 2 regional importers (Kenya & Egypt) looking for sesame and pulses
- Container Consolidation Strategy: Enabled a mixed-origin buyer to book partial container volumes, making Mavuno’s shipment viable
- Documentation & QC Support: Supported issuance of origin certs, inspection scheduling, and digital COAs with local labs
- Milestone-Based Payment Terms: Reduced payment risk through structured contract enforcement
Results
- Exported 2 containers of sesame directly in their first season — a co-op milestone
- Earned 28% more per metric ton vs. prior season’s broker pricing
- Improved member payouts by 3x within 60 days of harvest
- Created long-term buyer relationship based on quality and transparency
- Built internal trade skills with ongoing support from Nowexo’s deal coordination team
Client Quote
"Nowexo opened the door for us. For the first time, we didn’t just sell what we grow — we traded it with dignity and on our own terms."
— Board Chair, Mavuno Cooperative Union
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