Kenya Bixa Limited

Kenya Bixa Ltd is a leading agro-processing company based in Tiwi, Ukunda, Kwale County, on Kenya’s South Coast. The company specialises in the cultivation, purchase, processing, and export of Bixa orellana seeds, commonly known as annatto, to produce natural food colourants, including oil-soluble bixin, water-soluble norbixin, and other annatto-derived products.

Founded in 1979, Kenya Bixa began with a processing capacity of 250 tonnes of raw bixa seeds per year and has since expanded to process up to 3,000 tonnes annually. The company sources raw material from its own annatto farm covering approximately 1,500 acres, as well as through contract-farming arrangements with coastal farmers across Kwale, Lamu, and Kilifi counties.

Kenya Bixa’s product portfolio includes norbixin powder, bixin powder, annatto oils, and ready-to-use natural colourants for the food, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. Its vertically integrated operations ensure consistent product quality, from cultivation and seed procurement to processing, packaging, and export.

The company is certified under international standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and ISO 22000:2018 for food safety, and holds Halal, Kosher, and FDA registrations. Kenya Bixa emphasises sustainable production, supporting smallholder farmers, promoting ethical labour practices, and implementing environmentally responsible farming and processing methods.

With decades of experience, robust export performance, and a strong commitment to quality and sustainability, Kenya Bixa Ltd has established itself as the leading producer and exporter of natural annatto colours in East Africa, providing high-quality solutions to both local and international markets while supporting rural livelihoods and advancing sustainable agriculture.