Organic Whole Panela Cane Sugar (Certified Fairtrade)

Our organic whole panela cane sugar is the most raw form of cane sugar available. Unrefined panela contains 17 amino acids, 11 minerals and 6 vitamins, including antioxidants.

Also known in Peru as chancaca, rapadura or muscovado, granulated panela is a natural sweetener derived from sugar cane. The difference with white sugar or brown sugar is that there is no refining and no chemical additives are added at any stage of the process.

It is in fact an integral cane sugar, obtained by simple evaporation of sugar cane juice.

Our organic Panela is exclusively sourced from the Fairtrade certified "Cooperativa Agraria Ecológica y Solidaria Piura" (CAES Piura) in Peru.

Organic panela is not like brown sugar, which is white sugar with molasses thrown back in. White sugar or table sugar is made by stripping the nutrients and color of the sugar cane plant through a several-step refining process. Think of it as the emaciated offspring of sugar cane. It offers no substantial health benefits because all the wholesome stuff has been thrown out during its production.

What does Fairtrade certification mean?

• Fairtrade products are far more than just fair prices, they create sustainable impact in three interconnected areas: economic, social, and environmental. These are known as the three pillars of sustainability:
• Economic: Fairtrade sets economic Standards for farmers and workers to benefit from income security and financial independence. These include the Fairtrade Minimum Price for most commodities, which aims to provide producers with a safety net against falling prices, along with the Fairtrade Premium that provides producers with additional money to invest as they choose. Fairtrade also emphasizes long-term partnerships that help yield sustainable and decent livelihoods.
• Environmental: Environmental criteria emphasize ecologically and agriculturally sound practices, including responsible water and waste management, preserving biodiversity and soil fertility, minimal use of pesticides, and the prohibition of the use of GMOs. Organic production is promoted and rewarded by higher Fairtrade Minimum Prices for organically grown products.
• Social: Social criteria for small-scale producers include requirements on democratic self-organization, participatory decision-making, transparency, and non-discrimination. For hired labour, our Standards require non-discriminatory employment practices, fair pay, freedom of association, and safeguards for worker health and safety. Forced labour and child labour are prohibited under the Fairtrade Standards.

Who is "Cooperativa Agraria Ecológica y Solidaria Piura" (CAES Piura)?

• CAES is our preferred supplier for organic Fairtrade Panela.
• CAES is an agricultural cooperative whose main objective is the marketing of organic products that its members grow and process in various districts of the Piura mountain range in Peru. CAES Piura was founded by 4 producer organizations on February 27, 2009.
• Their head office is located in the city of Piura, and their operations center is in Montero. Their social base is located in various rural districts of the Piuran mountains. Since the change to a cooperative, it allows the inclusion of individuals as members, currently being 80 members in addition to 11 grassroots associations.
• Most of the people and member associations are in the province of Ayabaca, specifically in the districts of Montero, Jililí, Sicchez, Ayabaca and Frías. They also have a presence in the districts of Santa Catalina de Mossa in the province of Morropón and the district of Lalaquiz in the province of Huancabamba.
• They inherit from their ancestors a deep respect for the land they cultivate and the food they harvest. All their production is organic certified by an internationally recognized certification company.