Pronatec 4

Project with guarantee: The photo shows fermented cocoa beans being turned over to dry in the sun. Pronatec purchases cocoa directly from smallholder farmers and cooperatives in Africa and South America. This enables them to receive a fair price for their beans.

funding gap emerging markets
Pronatec
Company
Dominican Republic
Country

The project

Cocoa grows in warm, humid regions around the equator and is mainly cultivated by smallholder farmers. After harvesting, the beans are fermented and dried. During this process, they are regularly turned over to ensure they dry evenly.

Pronatec purchases cocoa and other products from farmer organizations in eleven countries, processes them, and sells them on. This cooperation gives farmers greater certainty that their harvest will be purchased and provides them with the opportunity to invest in their plantations.

During the harvest period, cocoa needs to be purchased, while the sales proceeds are only received at a later stage. The loan therefore serves as working capital to finance the purchase of cocoa.

How does this guaranteed investment work?

With the guarantee from FairCapital, you invest in sustainable, direct projects through Lendahand. FairCapital, 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, FairCapital 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 FairCapital, 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 4 days on 27 September 2026.
597investors
€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.