Every single customer that buys a kratom product is not only supporting the business that they are buying from, but they are also supporting a variety of other businesses as well.
When you buy from a local shop, that shop has sourced the kratom from a larger manufacturer. The manufacturer has sourced the kratom from overseas suppliers and possibly even from farmers directly. The supply chain goes much farther than many people realize!
Kratom as an industry supports small businesses on many levels. From local to national to international, let’s take a look at how the industry supports these businesses.
Kratom: From Sourcing To Customers
What does the kratom supply chain look like?
The chain will vary for different companies and policies, but the general outline usually goes likes this:
- Local Farmers
Local farmers grow or harvest kratom. Some may do this on their own properties; others will work at larger farms where kratom is being grown. - Distributors
Local or international distributors will broker deals with these farmers to send their unprocessed kratom exports to kratom vendors or manufacturers. - Kratom Vendors
Once they have the kratom, vendors will process, test, and blend their kratom products. - Local Shops
While most vendors sell directly to customers, they also sell directly to smaller smoke shops that carry kratom. These shops then sell directly to customers as well.
Most kratom vendors have specific arrangements with farmers and distributors so that they have a secure, steady supply of reliable imports. Once they receive the product, however, they must still test it to ensure the quality.
Supporting Local Businesses With Kratom
The local economy has benefited from the expansion of the kratom industry in the US. We can expect those benefits to continue as kratom becomes even more commonplace. How is kratom having an effect on businesses and economies in America?
National Companies
Many kratom vendors operate primarily online, but that does not mean that they do not employ people and positively affect the economy.
Vendors that important unprocessed kratom must set up:
- Facility for kratom processing, packaging, and shipping
- Sales team
- Marketing team
- Supply chain management team
Each of these sectors requires that the company hire people. Most kratom vendors ship to all states where kratom is legal in the US, so they are also helping to continue the movement of money between small businesses in America.
Local Stores
Local smoke shops and other companies that carry herbal products may decide to stock kratom on their shelves. Typically, they’ll stock those products directly from national kratom vendors. Purchased in bulk at a discount, these local vendors then sell at MSRP for a profit. In this way, you can also support local business by buying from your local shop.
Supporting The Right Laws
Even if you don’t purchase kratom or you only want to buy from one shop that you rely on, it is possible to support the business that works at all parts of the supply chain in one go.
How do you do this?
Kratom’s legal status has been constantly evolving over the last few years, and the lack of regulation in the industry is causing unreliable vendors to create more problems. By supporting kratom consumer protection laws in your area, you can help to ensure that businesses who profit from kratom will continue to see those benefits.
Choose The Right Vendors
Some vendors are more interested in the overall well-being of the kratom industry than others. When a vendor chooses to put profits before safety, they are jeopardizing the entire industry. Kratom advocates are still fighting for legal protections in the US, and low-quality kratom sales put that legal status at risk.
Do your research before you purchase kratom. Look for vendors that have not only a positive effect on the economy, but also vendors that adhere to good manufacturing practices. The American Kratom Association has a program that vendors can join for this type of guidance known as the GMP Compliance Program, and we are happy to be members.
Supporting Kratom Production Abroad
As mentioned in the supply chain above, kratom production is not just limited to America. Kratom is a tropical tree native to certain parts of the world, so the actual kratom will always need to be imported from Southeast Asian farms.
When purchasing kratom, you support the farmers that grew and harvested the kratom and the international distributors that connected those farmers to vendors in the US.
Choosing High-quality Production Companies
Choosing kratom vendors in the US that care about the kratom farmers that they buy from is essential. There are no official fair trade practices in the kratom industry yet, but the idea should still prevail. Fair trade prevents farmers from being undervalued or ripped off for an exported product.
Helps Local Workers
Many Kratom farmers joined the industry as other industries were dying out there. Farmers were unsure what to turn to as some industries were no longer viable. In the kratom industry, they found a great, new living. As a profitable export industry, their farms and lifestyles are revolutionized.
Environmental Effects
Kratom farming is also less dangerous for the environment than palm oil, a common type of plantation seen in Indonesia. By farming kratom instead of palm oil, the farmers are making good money and also keeping their land healthier.
Left Coast Kratom: People First
From our customers to the farmers that we buy kratom from, Left Coast Kratom is devoted to acknowledging the work that creates high-quality kratom. Through your support, we can compensate everyone that works on our products fairly.
Additionally, the local shops that stock our products are able to continue the supply chain into the local business arena, and we know that this can have a positive effect in many communities. From start to finish, the kratom industry provides opportunities and support to people that might otherwise be left behind, and we are proud to be a part of that.