Outspan Bolovens Limited (OBL) was incorporated in Laos in 2009 as a subsidiary of Olam International, to manage a greenfield coffee plantation project in the heart of the Boloven Plateau at an altitude of 1,250 metres.

Olam’s first greenfield coffee venture, the project forms part of our strategy to integrate backward into upstream plantations in Laos, and aims to produce high quality estate-specific specialty coffee with Rainforest Alliance, UTZ and 4C certifications for niche markets worldwide. So far, we have acquired 3,000 hectares of land of which 1,857 hectares has already been planted. The remaining land will be planted by in a phased manner.

OBL has also begun participating in local coffee trading, and has initiated an ‘Outgrower’ programme for coffee farmers.