Called Peru balsam, as it was formerly exported from Peru’s ports, but El Salvador is the only country in the world producing Peru Balsam resin.
Nelixia’s products
Fundamentals
KNOW THE SOURCE
Working directly with 135 Balsameros, divided in 4 different regions of la Costa Balsamera of El Salvador.
INVOLVE AND RESPECT
- Improve safety by training on best practices and contracting of an insurance policy for our producing partners.
- Increase visibility and long-term commitments to our producers:
- Transmission of know-how to motivating younger generation to keep the tradition going.
- Pre-financing the producers.
- Stabilizing prices through a cost structure, as Nelixia’s customers are also committing to long-term contracts.
- Traceability from the producer to the customer.
EMPOWER COMMUNITIES
- Implementation since 2018 of the Fairwild Certification:
- Increase production of 20% while respecting sustainable practices.
- Income improvement of 15% thanks to the fairwild premium.
- Long-term commitment on volumes.
- Stoplight poverty elimination methodology implemented with more than 30 producers.
TRANSPARENCY
Most product is traceable to the harvesters.
About Peru Balsam
Botany and production
Myroxylon balsamum pereirae is a tree native form Central America, growing up to 34m in height and can live for more than 300 years…
El Salvador is the only country producing Peru balsam resin in the world. The main production region is located along the south coast of El Salvador, known as “Costa Balsamera”.
Ancestral know-how transmitted from generation to generation.
Our value chain
Peru balsam resin harvest is unique and can only be performed by a skilled Balsamero.
In a first time, tappers climb the balsam trees with a torch, they heat the bark jon certain sides of the trunk, permitting easy bark-removal. They know exactly the size of the incision they need to do to preserve the tree.
After a few days, they place a piece of rag over the incision and the balsam starts exuding into it.
Rag and bark pieces are then boiled separately and pressed using an ancestral method.
This operation yields crude balsam, which is then purified.
