A GAN Initiative — Sourced in Ghana’s Northern Region
Pure Shea Butter.
Women-Led.
Ghana-Sourced.
Connecting European industry with the finest unrefined shea butter — ethically sourced directly from women cooperatives in northern Ghana.
100%
Unrefined & Pure
200+
Women Producers
Direct
Fair Trade Supply
Who We Are
Born from community. Built for quality.
Every jar of shea butter carries the skill of a woman who has spent years mastering this craft. We make sure that expertise is visible — and valued.
Shea Roots is a community-grounded supply initiative by Global Action Network e.V. (GAN). We connect European buyers — cosmetics producers, food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and independent makers — with pure, unrefined shea butter sourced directly from women cooperatives in Ghana’s Northern Region.
In Ghana’s Northern Region, shea butter production is overwhelmingly the domain of women. They harvest the nuts, crack them, roast them, grind them, and churn the butter using traditional techniques refined across generations. Yet much of the profit flows through intermediary chains that leave the producers with little. We change this by paying above-market rates directly to cooperatives and reinvesting a fixed share of every sale into community health and education programmes in the source districts.
What We Supply
Three grades. One standard of purity.
From sample kits to full container loads — we supply to your specification.
Raw Unrefined Shea Butter
Cold-processed, ivory-coloured, full natural scent. Maximum nutrient retention. Ideal for cosmetics, skincare, and artisanal producers.
- Free fatty acid content < 1%
- 1kg samples to 1MT bags available
- Organic & fair trade certifiable
- Shelf life: 18–24 months
Filtered Shea Butter
Gently filtered to remove impurities. Preserves the full fatty acid profile. Preferred by mid-size cosmetics and personal care manufacturers.
- Filtered — not bleached or deodorised
- 5kg to bulk pallet orders
- Consistent lot-to-lot quality
- EU cosmetics regulation compliant
Bulk Industrial Grade
High-volume supply for food processors, large cosmetics manufacturers, and pharmaceutical buyers. Full traceability from cooperative to container.
- FCL and LCL container loads
- COA and phytosanitary certificate
- Custom specification on request
- Established shipping routes to Germany
Why Shea Roots
The difference you can see, taste, and stand behind.
Traceable from Tree to Delivery
We know every cooperative we work with by name. Full supply chain documentation, cooperative origin certificates, and — for buyers who want it — direct cooperative visits. Trust built in, not papered over.
Fair Pay, Not a Slogan
We pay above-market rates directly to cooperatives and publish our pricing methodology. A fixed percentage of every sale is reinvested into community programmes in the source communities.
Quality with No Shortcuts
Our shea is not blended, not adulterated, and not mass-processed in conditions that compromise quality. Every batch is lab-tested. Documentation is standard, not exceptional. We work with cooperatives who have the time and pride to do it properly.
A Story Your Customers Will Value
Shea Roots gives you a supply story that is genuinely compelling — women-led, community-rooted, transparently traded. We provide sourcing assets, photos, and copy you can use in your own communications.
Community Impact
Every purchase funds the future of a community.
The women we work with are not beneficiaries. They are suppliers, business partners, and experts. A fixed share of every sale is reinvested into health, education, and energy programmes in the source districts — delivered by GAN.
200+
Women producers in target cooperatives
3
Districts in Ghana’s Northern Region
100%
Surplus reinvested in source community programmes
Get in Touch
Request a sample. Start a conversation.
Whether you want a 1kg sample, a quote for your first order, or to understand more about our supply model — we’d like to hear from you. We respond to all enquiries within two working days.
Shea Roots is an initiative of Global Action Network e.V. — a Germany-registered civil society organisation (Eingetragener Verein). All data is handled in accordance with GDPR. We never share your details with third parties.