摘要：ESCO Kivu SPRL, located in Beni and Butembo North Kivu, is one of the few successful medium sized agribusiness enterprises in the region. ESCO pursues a line of conflict-resistant enterprises: chinchona (quinine), cacao and vanilla. Chinchona is the most conflict resistant product, while cacao is the most profitable. The company operates 26 trucks and 31 small stores, utilizing over 50 agronomists and 16,000 small stakeholder farmers. Farmers receive production support and a 15% premium for quality and exclusivity. ESCO exports cacao to the USA to specialty organic chocolate processors such as Theo’s, in Seattle, USA. Vanilla exports also go to USA buyers assisted by VANEX (Association Vanilla Exporters of Uganda). This study focuses on ESCO’s conflict resistant business strategies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
