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Umbu tree: symbol of preservation
The umbu trees seen nowadays in the Sertão are more than one hundred years old. Their fruit are rich in vitamin C, and their roots, which are water deposits, have been used as a resistance strategy in the Canudos War (1896/97). Due to such potential, the tree has been called by Brazilian author Euclides da Cunha the “sacred tree of Sertão”. But the lack of conscience and preservation puts that species under the risk of extinction. What most people do not realize is that the preservation of this tree also means the preservation of Caatinga itself, biome which suffers with the degradation and threat of desertification. The protection of the umbu tree contributes to proper stewardship of natural resources of the Semi-arid, in addition to generating work and income. For this reason, the use of GRAVETERO products, made of cultivated umbu fruits, and under proper post-harvest and stewardship conditions, is a way of supporting a project which ensures the sustainable development of this culture.
If you have never tasted umbu or its sweets, it is worth trying. The fruit has a sour taste that runs through your mouth, awakening the palate and providing that “I want more” feeling.
A caatinga full of life
There, in the middle of the Sertão in Bahia – 415 kilometers from Salvador, in the region of Uauá, in 1997 – a group of family farmers decided to deepen the discussion on the possibility of improving the food of their families, while ensuring an alternative for generation of income. The work was based on the perspective of sustainable development, thus contribution to the strengthening of family agriculture, and pursuing an economically feasible, socially fair and solidary ecological production. Then, after a few years of experience, in 2004, COOPERCUC (Family Agribusiness Cooperative of Canudos, Uauá and Curaça) is born.
In practical terms, a line of products was created, having as basis native fruits from the Caatinga, among them umbu and wild passion fruit (maracujá do mato). Other fruits, such as mango, conventional passion fruit and guava, are also the ingredients of vitamin-rich recipes. The fertile soil, the sun, present throughout year, the low index of rains and other natural riches of this biome make their fruits the most tasteful in the planet, conquering the most refined palates.
The heart on the land and the eyes on new horizons – A long way has been traveled until 2005, when mini-plants (15) were built in communities, as well as a central plant in Uauá, thus enabling greater quality and increase in the volume produced by the groups. The products, then, started to be sold to France (2005), through Alter Eco, and to Austria (2008). Germany and Spain have already experienced the tastes of COOPERCUC, which have Organic Certification.
With the perspective of making new businesses and forging new partnerships, as well conquering new markets at national and international levels, workers have participated in capacity building workshops and exchange processes, thus increasing their knowledge through new technologies and strategies.
Consolidated Production Capacity
Today, numbers present the evolution of a serious work which carries an indisputable social value. Coopercuc operates with 200 families, in 20 communities, involved in the careful production of creamy, tablet and light sweets, jams, compotes and pulps, which make up GRAVETERO line.
GRAVETERO’s main product is the umbu compote, and COOPERCUC has the capacity to produce 30 tons per year, of which only 0.3% is used. The umbu is a juicy fruit, rich in minerals and vitamins.
Currently, COOPERCUC is prepared to serve the domestic and international markets, with a production capacity of 200 tons, with a consolidated commercial and productive structure, and adding to the flavor and quality of its products, the work and history of a people who live in tune with the “appeals of the planet” for a preserved nature.
