Russian company

How we established regular deliveries of carcade from Nigeria to Moscow - and brought our client's business to a new level


What the client came with
The company sold natural tea and spices through an online store and small retail. Their flagship product was carcade. They had previously procured the product through intermediaries and faced the same problems each time:

The main problems:

• Unstable quality - the color, flavor and fraction of the raw material varied from batch to batch
• No transparency - it is impossible to trace the origin of the goods
• High purchase price - each intermediary added its own markup
• No guarantee of supply - suppliers could “disappear”, deadlines were missed

The manager wanted to completely switch to direct import from the country of origin, but:

• didn't know how to find a trusted supplier in Nigeria,
• did not want to take risks - he had heard many stories about scams, fraudsters, problems at the border,
• he had no experience in processing international shipments.

How we solved the problem
Phase 1: On-site supplier verification
We engaged local staff in Lagos and traveled to the production site. We conducted an audit: we assessed volumes, drying conditions, cleaning and storage standards, and requested certificates of compliance with quality standards. The supplier confirmed the stability of shipments and agreed to videotape the batch.

Stage 2: Secure transaction under our support
So that the client did not have to go through the nuances of foreign economic activity, we conducted the transaction through our company. The client bought the goods directly from us, with Russian documents and payment in rubles.

Stage 3: Shipping, insurance and logistics
We organized sea transportation to the port and further delivery by rail to Moscow. The container was tracked by GPS, cargo insurance was arranged for the whole route.

Stage 4: Certification and formalization
We prepared a package of documents, certified the goods as food products, passed all the necessary checks at customs. The client received the product fully ready for realization.

Results

• Delivered 12.5 tons of selected carcade (premium quality whole hibiscus flower) directly from a Nigerian farm
• Cost of production reduced by 27% by eliminating middlemen
• Quality stabilized: large petal, rich color, stable aroma
• Regular supply channel established - the next batch is on its way
• The client avoided legal and logistical risks - everything was realized on a turnkey basis

Customer testimonial
“I had been thinking about switching to direct import for over a year, but I was afraid. Nigeria is something distant and incomprehensible. Where to look for suppliers, how to work with them, what to do with documents - I had no idea.

The team did everything on a turnkey basis: they found a farm, checked it, brought samples, organized delivery and even certification. I simply paid the invoice and received the goods in Moscow. No headaches at all.

Now we have stable raw materials, beautiful packaging and a product story to tell our customers: “This is natural African carcade, from a particular farm in Lagos”. People appreciate that.

And most importantly, I have peace of mind. I know that the next shipment is coming, and it's being driven by a team that understands how the market works in Africa.”