Nobazul

The heart of the agave production

Nobazul is located in the middle of the Amatitán valley, where vast plantations of blue agaves stretch as far as the eye can see. Nobazul produces and markets organic agave syrup and oversees the entire production chain: from growing the blue agaves to transporting them. Production is carried out ethically and Nobazul has made huge progress towards decent working conditions. It has 12 (inter)national certificates guaranteeing organic, fair trade and food safety production. 

Blue agave grows in semi-arid soils and does not need to be watered. This makes agave syrup an extraordinary alternative to sugar cane, which is highly water intensive: 1 kg of syrup produced from agave requires 42 times less water than 1 kg produced from sugar cane.  

Growing agave requires patience and dedication: it takes five to seven years before the crop can be harvested. The harvest is carried out by jimadores, farmers who specialize in harvesting agave plants using the same tools and methods for generations. Using a coa, a sharp shovel, they prune the leaves and harvest the heart of the plant, which is then pressed. The leaves are preserved and used as fertilizer during the next harvest.

Protecting the environment

The Solave Group is committed to respecting the environment. It invests in projects that benefit the entire community and promotes (gender) equality, transparency and respect. To name a few examples, the group: 

• Uses energy generated by solar panels.  
• Uses agave bagasse (the plant fibers that remain after the agave has been pressed) as biofuel.
• Contributes to the circular economy by producing adobe bricks from agave bagasse.
• Uses cardboard packaging made from recycled paper. 
• Uses organic pallets for its transportation needs.  
• Plants trees with its employees every year. 
• Donates equipment to the Red Cross.
• Promotes university scholarships for women.
• Donates school equipment.

Nobazul & Oxfam

• Oxfam Fair Trade partner since 2024, provides organic agave syrup. Every partner we work with must be approved by our partner committee. This six-monthly committee reviews whether a partner fits within Oxfam Fair Trade’s fair trade principles. There will be an HREDD screening of Nobazul in the first half of 2025. This will be then submitted to the partner committee.
• Nobazul’s syrup is 100% natural, GMO-free, vegan and is sold in 30 countries.
• FACT: agave syrup has a high sweetening power, so very little quantity is needed to sweeten dishes (30% less than traditional sugar!). It also has less impact on blood sugar levels than industrial sugar. An alternative to traditional sugar full of benefits!