Pronatec

What do Uganda, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic have in common? In all of these countries, smallholder farmers grow cocoa. Pronatec purchases organic cocoa directly from them, with a strong focus on fair prices, sustainable farming, and full transparency throughout the supply chain.

funding gap emerging markets
Pronatec
Company
Netherlands
Country

The project

Pronatec is a company that sources, processes, and supplies organic and Fairtrade products. These include cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and spices sourced from smallholder farmers across 11 countries in Africa and South America. Pronatec will use this loan to purchase cocoa from cooperatives of smallholder farmers in Latin America, particularly in the Dominican Republic.

In the Dominican Republic, Pronatec has worked with local partners for many years to manage the sourcing, processing, and export of cocoa. This keeps the supply chain short and transparent while providing farmers with a stable market for their products.

Farmers are at the center of Pronatec’s approach. In addition to the sales price, cooperatives receive a Fairtrade premium: an extra amount paid per quantity of cocoa sold. Farmers decide together how to use these funds. For example, they may finance a school building, bridge, or water well. In 2024, Pronatec distributed more than 1.6 million dollars in Fairtrade premiums.

Cocoa must be purchased and paid for quickly during the harvest season, while sales revenues follow later. This requires sufficient working capital at the right time. Pronatec uses this loan to directly finance cocoa purchases. Thanks to your investment, farmers receive their payments on time and benefit from a reliable buyer for their cocoa.

How does this guaranteed investment work?
With the guarantee from Fair Capital, you invest in sustainable, direct projects through Lendahand. Fair Capital, based in Switzerland, provides financing and advisory services to companies in sustainable agriculture and has extensive experience assessing both the social impact and credit risk of agricultural projects.

If Pronatec cannot meet its payment obligations, Fair Capital fully compensates Lendahand investors for the nominal investment plus interest. Note: investing always carries risks. Read the terms here.

Your investment
Pronatec is guaranteed by Fair Capital, covering both your investment and the interest. 

  • Interest rate: 4% per year
  • With an investment of €1,000, the expected total repayment is €1,030
  • Maturity: 12 months. You will receive repayment every six months, including interest. You will receive payments in month 6 and 12.
  • Currency: Euro. 
     

Pronatec

CEO
David Yersin
Founded
1976-01-01
Location
Hoofddorp
Sector
Manufacturing / Production
Turnover
€11,636,438
Employees
250
€250,000raised
Fully funded in 1 hour on 29 July 2026.
414investors
€250,000
target
4.0
%
Interest
12
months
Maturity
6
months
Repayments
A+
B
C
D
E
Credit score
With guarantee
Euro
Direct to business
Agri-support

Impact

1965
Lives improved

Small-scale cocoa farmers in Africa and Latin America face limited access to financing, strict certification requirements, and strong price fluctuations in the market. Without stable buyers and timely payments, it is difficult for farmers to invest in their businesses and maintain certifications.

Sustainable cocoa production also requires farming methods that protect soil health, biodiversity, and long-term productivity. This is only possible with reliable buyers that provide market access and technical support.

PRONATEC plays an important role through direct and long-term partnerships with smallholder farmer cooperatives. The company purchases cocoa, vanilla, spices, and other agricultural products directly from these cooperatives, giving farmers more certainty that they can sell their harvest and receive timely payments during the harvest season. PRONATEC also supports farmers with certification and transparent supply chains.

In the short term, farmers and cooperatives receive faster payments for their cocoa and gain more income security. In the long term, the partnership helps them improve production, maintain certifications, and invest in sustainable farming methods.

The wider farming communities also benefit. Fairtrade premiums received by farmers are used for local projects such as improving education, infrastructure, and other community investments.