We are a community-upliftment-driven essential oils producer in South Africa empowering people and improving the environment.
We are a family-owned and run operation founded and grounded in Oribi Gorge, South Africa. While our connection to this land is generations old, our way of farming and doing business is proactively and innovatively working toward a more sustainable future. In 2010 we began establishing our own fields and orchards and building towards organic certification, which would help us reap the full potential of our yields. Very soon we realised that we could do better than an organic certification—we could try to shift a culture of large-scale, top-down extractive agriculture, while also helping create pathways out of poverty for subsistence farmers. We could create a virtuous cycle of soil health and economic reward that might allow sustainable farming to gain a foothold in our region.
As we grow our own plants for harvest, we simultaneously support dozens of neighbouring farmers and small-scale growers to do the same. We have invested in some 2,300 individuals by helping them start their own farms and agribusinesses. Through ongoing training, mentorship, and development, we continue to nurture these relationships and build a thriving culture of sustainable agriculture in the region.
Oribi Gorge is a dramatic canyon carved into South Africa’s subtropical south-east coast. The region encompasses both pristine wilderness and swathes of agricultural productivity; it is lush, remote and imbued with all the historical complexity characteristic of this country, some thirty years after liberation.
Once known for its large-scale sugarcane farms, it is now divided into various mixed farms. Amongst the productive lands is untrammeled indigenous forest and dramatic granite precipices that are home to wildlife, including 300 bird species and a breeding colony of the endangered Cape vulture. Despite being a destination for tourists and a haven for wildlife, corporate mining interests still exert powerful influence here. Oribi Oils has been successful in actively resisting these contracts through our close ties to community and environmental advocacy work.
From the land to the distillery to the head office, women are equal partners in our agri-business. Women represent the majority of subsistence farmers whom we train, support and purchase plants from. In a rural region where historically men left to seek work in urban centres and households have women-led for generations, empowering women to earn while remaining in the area is a paradigm shift. Of the 497 farmers we work with directly, 302 are women.
At Oribi Oils, we believe that every relationship—from farm to final product—should be grounded in respect and fairness. We are committed to the ethical treatment of all people involved in our supply chain, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignified partnerships with growers and producers. We also extend this ethos to the environment and animals, minimizing harm and promoting kindness in all our operations. We are a Fair Trade certified organisation.
We are building a culture of sustainable profitable farming in our region through our Fair Grow Collective, investing in people, training, and fair trade initiatives. We are creating opportunities within these underserved communities by sourcing ingredients from these local, small-scale farmers and cooperatives.
We actively work to create opportunities within underserved communities by sourcing ingredients from local, small-scale farmers and cooperatives—especially those in rural or historically marginalized areas. By investing in people, training, and fair trade initiatives, we’re not just making great oils—we’re helping to build a more equitable future
From low-impact production methods (which include using discarded macadamia shells to power our distillery), to transparent sourcing and waste reduction, every step we take is rooted in a desire to do business responsibly. We continuously audit and improve our practices to ensure that Oribi Oils contributes to a healthier planet and more conscious consumption.
At Oribi Oils, our in-field operations go far beyond compliance—they’re rooted in connection, stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
Our dedicated field officers are more than inspectors; they are active partners in the community we serve. Through regular engagement with local farmers, they provide hands-on training and ongoing support in sustainable farming practices that promote soil health, efficient water use, and long-term productivity.
To ensure full transparency and adherence to global best practices, Oribi Oils is externally audited by Ecocert, an internationally recognized certification body. Through these audits, we maintain strict compliance with the value-adding guidelines of Fair for Life, USDA Organic, and EU Organic standards—upholding our commitment to ethical, sustainable, and certified organic production.
By building trust on the ground and meeting the highest standards in the field, we’re creating a resilient, responsible supply chain that benefits both people and planet.
Distillery – Powered by nature
At Oribi Oils, our distillation process is designed to work with nature, not against it. Located in the lush surroundings of the Oribi Gorge, our distillery uses steam extraction to gently draw out the natural oils from our botanicals—preserving their purity, potency, and aromatic beauty.
What powers this process is just as important as the process itself. We fuel our steam distillation using discarded macadamia nut shells sourced from neighbouring farms—an abundant agricultural byproduct turned renewable energy source. After distillation, the remaining plant material is returned to the earth as mulch, helping retain soil moisture and restore nutrients to the land.
From source to soil, our distillery reflects our full-circle philosophy: sustainable, respectful, and deeply rooted in the land we call home.
After distillation, each batch of Oribi oil undergoes lab testing to confirm its purity, potency, and overall quality. Once approved, it’s transferred into 5,000L stainless steel vats, purpose-built to maintain freshness and stability at scale.
The oil is then carefully decanted into 200L and 25L drums for distribution. Through this carefully managed process, we ensure full traceability to the source, maintaining a clear line from plant to product.
Our depot is more than a storage space—it’s a vital step in protecting the integrity and consistency of every drop of Oribi Oils.
Ntuthuko Community Development is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to uplifting the KwaNyuswa community beyond the scope of Oribi Oils’ business activities.
One of our flagship programmes is the Community Veggie Garden Project, which supports local residents in growing nutritious crops such as spinach and cabbage.
We provide growers with:
The vegetables are sold directly to the Khula Community City Centre, which prepares meals for up to 700 children every week. This partnership is mutually beneficial between growers and the Centre—small-scale growers generate a reliable income, children from the centre have access to nutritious, fresh ingredients.
The impact of this project includes:
With Ntuthuko, we are growing more than food—we’re growing healthy futures, sustainable livelihoods, and empowered communities.
