Co-Impact Sourcing
In addition to supplying the highest quality, essential oils doTERRA is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of farmers, harvesters, and distillers who contribute to doTERRA’s oil production.
With over 100 essential oils in its product line, doTERRA sources its oils from over 40 countries —more than half of which could be considered developing countries. To ensure that small-scale farmers and harvesters in disadvantaged areas are treated ethically, doTERRA has introduced an initiative called Co-Impact Sourcing.
Co-Impact Sourcing is an initiative that seeks to develop long-term, mutually beneficial supplier partnerships while creating sustainable jobs and providing reliable income in underdeveloped areas. doTERRA is committed to the ethical treatment of its suppliers by providing on-time payments at fair prices. Growers and harvesters are encouraged to form cooperative groups to share collective benefits and bargaining power while improving skills and capacity.
Additionally, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation® helps support development projects in sourcing communities. Projects include schools, health clinics, improved infrastructure, and clean water systems.
Find out more about doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation projects in Co-Impact Sourcing areas by clicking here.
“… the majority of our oils come from exclusive agreements where the growers and distillers will only sell to doTERRA. So if anybody is telling you they have the same quality essential oil as doTERRA, or that they get their essential oils from the same producers, that simply isn’t the case.”
We have gardens everywhere, from backyards to greenhouses and community plots. Even windowsills are decorated with herb gardens. Farms across the globe plant, grow and harvest crops every day. With such a wide variety of possibilities for growing the raw materials needed for essential oils, one might think that supplying the world with these incredible gifts might be a simple process. Simply plant a seed, harvest the materials, and distill the oils, right?
Such a model, however, could never be sufficient. Meeting the increasing demand for oils with the highest quality that is most beneficial requires a more global initiative. Through our Global Botanical Network of essential oil growers and distillers, doTERRA has created an optimal system for the distillation and distribution of essential oils.
doTERRA works with farmers and distillers in over 40 countries to provide essential oils to customers around the world. doTERRA values the wealth of expertise local growers and producers have when it comes to the plants that provide essential oils. While the temptation may be to buy out large plots of land to create farms dedicated to these plants, the simple fact remains that you cannot replace the knowledge of these growers and distillers—many of whom have worked their different crops for generations. It would be impossible to try to assimilate all that knowledge and experience, so why not simply recruit that expertise into a global network? (You can learn more about the distillation of essential oils here.)
Creating partnerships with the myriad growers and distillers is no simple feat either. It takes a proven record built over years to establish an honorable reputation. By dealing fairly and honestly with individuals and co-ops, doTERRA has earned their trust. That effort is paying off as word spreads about the integrity of doTERRA. More and more people are signing up to work with doTERRA, making us the world’s largest purchaser of essential oils. Additionally, the majority of our oils come from exclusive agreements where the growers and distillers will only sell to doTERRA. So if anybody is telling you they have the same quality essential oil as doTERRA, or that they get their essential oils from the same producers, that simply isn’t the case. Our demanding quality standards and exclusive agreements with those that grow the plants and produce the essential oils mean doTERRA’s quality is unrivaled.
Beyond the benefits in terms of production, a Global Botanical Network has the added benefit of being able to change lives for the better. Through our Co-Impact Sourcing® as well as the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation™, we have been able to positively impact the communities where our partners live. Many of our essential oils come from developing countries where they do not enjoy the basic amenities of our modern world. As we work to create partnerships in these areas, we also work to improve lives by providing these basics and through promoting education. You can learn more about some of our Co-Impact projects here.
Providing the highest quality essential oils may seem simple but when done correctly it takes dedication, integrity, and trust—principles doTERRA is dedicated to.