From Soil to Soap, Dr. Bronner’s Sets the Standard for Fair Trade Beauty

Dr. Bronner's proves that businesses don’t need to compromise their ethics in the pursuit of profit. We are well-known for our commitment to sourcing raw materials from certified fair trade operations across the globe that work directly with smallholder farmers using regenerative organic practices.

“Since I started working with Dr. Bronner’s as their ambassador in Australia, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how business can truly drive regeneration in action, as well as in messaging. The company’s relationships with farmers and suppliers in Samoa, India, Ghana, and beyond are real and meaningful. It shows that while their business is global in scope, it is also deeply localised in their enactment of care. Their sourcing practices don't just shine a light; they empower communities to light their own flames.” 
- Maree Jay Lowes

Dr. Bronner’s supply chain practices focus on empowering the communities we work with by building long-term partnerships rooted in fair trade certification that support both economic and ecological well-being. Through direct sourcing from smallholder farmers and reinvesting in local infrastructure, education, and health initiatives, we help communities gain the tools and autonomy to thrive. Our commitment to regenerative organic agriculture not only restores the land but also strengthens local economies, making our supply chain a model for ethical sourcing practices.

Dr. Bronner’s fair trade and regenerative organic supply chain includes the following ingredients sourced from suppliers around the world: 

Coconut Oil from Samoa

Coconut oil is a major ingredient in Dr. Bronner’s soaps and produces an extremely high-lathering foam from its high lauric acid content. SerendiCoco was formed in 2016 by Dr. Bronner’s as a joint venture with an experienced Samoan producer of conventional coconut copra oil. The project is helping to shift a significant percent of the domestic coconut production to fair trade and organic certifications and is having a significant beneficial impact on the country’s economy. 

Palm Oil from Ghana

Used in Dr. Bronner’s bar soaps, palm oil balances the lathering power of coconut oil while keeping the soap from softening and dissolving too quickly. With rapid expansion of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia causing large-scale environmental degradation and social deprivation, it was imperative that Dr. Bronner’s found an ethical source for palm oil. Dr. Bronner’s sister company Serendipalm in Ghana began production in 2008 and has since become the world’s most respected fair trade and regenerative organic certified palm oil project. 

Mint Oil from India

Mint oils are Dr. Bronner’s most-used essential oils—their cooling properties are what make our peppermint soap and toothpaste so refreshing, and provide Dr. Bronner’s soap its famous tingle! Dr. Bronner’s sources its regenerative organic mint oil from the Pavitramenthe project in India and is its primary buyer. The fair trade premium received from Dr. Bronner’s has helped fund projects focused on regenerative organic agriculture, capacity building and menstrual hygiene, the construction of medical camps and home toilets, and the distribution of water coolers for drinking water.  

Dr. Bronner’s sourcing of organic and fair trade raw materials benefits around 35,000 farmers, employees, and their families, worldwide—improving livelihoods while simultaneously regenerating soil. To date, we've transitioned more than 75,000 acres of our agricultural supply chain to become Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC). Customers who choose Dr. Bronner’s are not just purchasing a product but participating in a larger mission to regenerate communities and restore ecosystems.

To learn more about Dr. Bronner’s suppliers, please visit: https://www.drbronner.com.au/blogs/our-suppliers/projects-and-partnerships