Commodity Management
Global Leader in Commodity Management
ACDI/VOCA is a global leader in innovative management of donated U.S. agricultural commodities under both USAID and USDA food aid programs. ACDI/VOCA has managed food aid programs in numerous countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America since 1989 to promote global food security.
ACDI/VOCA has monetized over 1,137,400 metric tons (MT) of commodities valued at more than $344 million and distributed over 60,770 MT of nonfat dried milk, cornmeal, rice, corn-soy blend, vegetable oil and other foods. We have managed commodity shipments or monetized commodities for Africare, Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, CARE, Winrock, TechnoServe, FINCA, Land O’Lakes, the U.S. Poultry and Egg Council, USAID and others. We have also performed market analyses for other NGOs.
Expert in Direct Distributions
ACDI/VOCA has experience with various kinds of direct distribution programming in both development and post-disaster contexts, including Food for Work, People Living with HIV/AIDS, Vulnerable Group Feeding, and providing food to pregnant and lactating women and their children up to 2 years old (PM2A).
ACDI/VOCA promotes the use of prepackaged ration kits in its distribution programs. This distribution method is more efficient and consumer-friendly, and an external evaluator highlighted it as a best practice in the 2011 mid-term evaluation of our Haiti Multi-Year Assistance Program.
In addition, ACDI/VOCA served as a key leader in addressing such issues as product quality and packaging for several years as a co-chair of the Commodity Working Group under the Food Aid Consultative Group, which represented the U.S. government, private industry and NGOs.
Commodity Management Services
ACDI/VOCA commodities staff includes logistics coordinators, warehouse managers and sales agents with over 75 years of combined experience in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and former Soviet Union.
Our experienced professionals are available to:
- Conduct market assessments to determine appropriate commodities and tonnage levels for program design
- Identify appropriate sales methodology including negotiated sales, small-lot sales, sealed-bid and out-cry auctions, and combinations thereof, to maximize proceed generation and developmental impact while minimizing risk
- Identify potential buyers and manage the sales process from beginning to end
- Manage logistics of commodity shipments in conjunction with donors, freight forwarders, shipping agents and buyers for both distribution and monetization
- Provide storage and transportation services on behalf of other organizations
- Prepare documents for donors, buyers, governments and other entities involved in commodity sales
- Provide commodity management training to organization or government staff
Current Commodity Contracts
PDF version of ACDI/VOCA's work in commodity management (3.6 MB).
