It started with a simple question: "Where does this gel actually come from?" The answer took me on a 300-kilometer journey to the arid coastal plains of Phan Rang.
The Hidden Cost of Beauty
The global aloe vera market is massive, but the farmers often see pennies on the dollar. I realized that to build a brand like Julyhouse or Macaland, we couldn't just buy "commodity" aloe. We needed a partner.
Industrial farming often strips the land. In Phan Rang, I met Mr. Minh, a third-generation farmer who was struggling to compete with cheaper, imported aloe powder. His plants were vibrant, grown with minimal water using ancient drip-irrigation techniques, but he had no access to the premium market.
"Sustainability isn't just about the environment; it's about sustaining the livelihood of the people who tend the soil."
Our Partnership Model
We decided to contract directly with Mr. Minh's cooperative. By cutting out the middleman, we could offer:
- check_circleFair Trade Pricing: Guaranteed purchase price 20% above market average.
- check_circlePre-financing: Capital for organic fertilizers and equipment.
- check_circleLong-term Commitment: 5-year contracts to ensure stability.
The Result
Today, the aloe vera in our soothing gels is harvested at dawn and processed within 4 hours to retain maximum polysaccharide content. It's not just better for the skin; it's a product you can feel good about buying.
Mr. Minh inspecting the morning harvest.
This is just one example of how the Bio-Refinery model can work on a micro scale. When we value the raw material correctly, everyone wins.
About Lam Tran
I am an entrepreneur and author focused on building sustainable brands that prioritize Radical Transparency. As the Founder of Julyhouse & Macaland, I turn raw Vietnamese resources into high-value products.
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