MedAccess and dsm-firmenich partner to secure vitamin A pricing for edible oil fortification in low- and middle-income countries

MedAccess and dsm-firmenich today announced a groundbreaking partnership to provide stable pricing and sustainable supply of vitamin A, a key micronutrient used for fortification of edible oil.

Under the partnership, dsm-firmenich has committed to not exceed ceiling prices of $59 per kg (ex-works) for vitamin A and $43.30 per kg (ex-works) for a vitamin A and vitamin D3 blend when sold to edible oil millers for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). MedAccess will provide a volume guarantee, covering any shortfall in agreed sales, to enable dsm-firmenich to offer these ceiling prices.

Food fortification is the addition of safe levels of micronutrients to commonly consumed foods such as edible oil, to address micronutrient deficiencies in at-risk populations.  It is a vital public health initiative to combat vitamin A deficiency, which has particularly adverse consequences for women of reproductive age and children. This deficiency can lead to blindness, impaired growth, and increased severity of infectious diseases.

Although many countries mandate vitamin A fortification, edible oil millers often face significant challenges to fortify their products due to volatile vitamin A pricing and supply shortages. This first-of-its-kind partnership supports predictable vitamin A prices in an important market where fortified food is a big contributor to ensuring people benefit from vitamin A.

By committing to a ceiling price, dsm-firmenich will enable edible oil millers in LMICs to plan and procure with greater confidence, reducing their exposure to market shocks, including price spikes. This will allow millers to fortify continuously, improving public health outcomes and supporting compliance with fortification mandates in several countries.

“Lack of vitamin A can lead to debilitating health concerns when it is not consumed in large enough quantities from diets typically consumed in low- and middle-income countries,” said Michael Anderson, CEO of MedAccess. “Partnering with dsm-firmenich to stabilise the price of vitamin A for edible oil fortification is an exciting step in MedAccess’ efforts to improve people’s health by shaping markets. With support from British International Investment, our first partnership in nutrition exemplifies our commitment to using innovative finance in flexible ways to address a range of health challenges.”

Francois Scheffler, Global Marketing and Business Development EVP for dsm-firmenich’s Health, Nutrition & Care business commented, “Nutrition is the basic cornerstone of health. That’s why we see a world with a nutrition system transformed by public-private collaboration focused on improving the quality of life of those most in need” adding, “This groundbreaking partnership with MedAccess, combined with our local footprint and strong technical expertise on food fortification, will help dsm-firmenich deliver our commitment to bridge the micronutrient deficiencies of a billion people by 2030. It’s our hope that this partnership will inspire others to make the world’s (mal)nutrition their own business with innovative, cost effective and accessible solutions.”

Half a billion people are deficient in vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency affects approximately 500 million people globally,^[1] mainly in Africa and Asia. It is particularly prevalent in LMICs due to food insecurity and limited dietary diversity.^[2]

Negative health impacts of vitamin A deficiency include blindness, physical and cognitive stunting, increased severity of childhood infections and debilitating diseases, disproportionally affecting women of reproductive age and children.

In children, vitamin A deficiency significantly increases the risk of illness and death from common infections, such as diarrhoea and measles. It is also the leading preventable cause of blindness.^[3] In women of reproductive age, vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of maternal night blindness, infection, and other adverse outcomes during pregnancy and lactation.

Large scale food fortification is a well-established, population-level intervention for combatting nutrient deficiency^[4].

An innovative finance solution to stabilise the vitamin A market

MedAccess and dsm-firmenich are finalising the volume guarantee agreement. Once completed, the ceiling prices will be communicated widely, enabling edible oil millers of all sizes to access them.

[1] Zhao. 2022. Global Burden of Vitamin A Deficiency in 204 Countries and Territories from 1990–2019. Accessed: February 2025 (link)

[2] Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser. 2017. Micronutrient Deficiency. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Accessed: April 2024 (link)

[3] World Health Organisation. 2009. Vitamin A deficiency. Published online at who.int. Accessed: April 2024 (link)

[4] Emily Keats et al. 2019. Improved micronutrient status and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries following large-scale fortification: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Accessed March 2025 (link)