In July 2023, we began to finance our first client in Bolivia, our fifth country in less than 18 months. Let's talk about how this affects small-scale farmers in the region.

Our client exports 800 to 1200 tons of quinoa, produced by small-scale farmers in the arid regions of Oruro, where Quechua and Aymara are spoken in addition to Spanish, and in Potosí, known for its famous silver mines. Quinoa is a staple crop in Bolivia and has great cultural, nutritional and economic importance in the country. 

With more working capital, our client plans to expand, which in turn provides small-scale farmers with greater financial independence. This allows them to support their families, invest in education, healthcare and diversify their sources of income. 

Not to mention that, although historically agriculture has been a male-dominated industry, our client works with more than 60 women to produce the quinoa we finance. Their role is fundamental in seed selection and cultivation, harvesting, and cleaning products that are later exported to Canada, the United States, and Europe. 

At Finanex, we firmly believe that the most effective and sustainable way to help smallholder farmers in remote areas is by empowering exporters who buy their products. Exporters are on the ground, speak the same language as farmers, and are integrated into local communities. In practical terms, exporters directly support the farmers they work with through capital and technical assistance.

We are proud to build and grow in some of the most remote areas of Latin America!