Partner Article

Luxury Moroccan confectionery brand Raphia expands trade footprint bringing heritage ingredients to the global gifting market

Raphia, the London-based luxury Moroccan confectionery and gifting house, is setting a new standard in culturally rooted gourmet trade by connecting Morocco’s finest heritage ingredients with international demand for premium, ethically sourced delicacies.

Founded by hospitality entrepreneur Zineb Faress, Raphia is redefining the luxury food and gifting market by curating handcrafted Moroccan treats, from medjool dates and spiced almonds to rosewater-infused pastries, sourced directly from women’s cooperatives and heritage producers across Morocco. The brand’s distinctive vertically integrated supply chain allows full traceability from farm to final product, ensuring authenticity, sustainability, and premium quality at every step.

“We’re not just selling confections, we’re trading in heritage,” said Zineb Faress, Founder of Raphia. “Our mission is to globalise the value of Moroccan craftsmanship and bring a new level of meaning to luxury gifting, where every bite has provenance.”

 

Building Trade Bridges Between Morocco and the UK

Raphia operates at the intersection of culture, commerce, and culinary innovation. With Morocco’s growing investment in food exports, especially in the organic and artisanal sectors, Raphia is carving a vital niche as a boutique importer and brand storyteller. Its products are now sought after by five-star hotels, private family offices, international event curators, and luxury retailers across the UK and Europe.

With curated gift boxes featuring ingredients such as Tafilalt medjool dates, Atlas Mountain almonds, and Agadir-sourced argan oil, Raphia’s portfolio reflects a new wave of heritage-driven food trade; luxury products that honour their origins while appealing to the modern global palate.

 

High-Growth Sector: Premium Corporate Gifting & Hospitality

Raphia’s rise aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable, premium, and story-led corporate gifting. Its bespoke hampers and private-label options are now supplied to elite hospitality partners and luxury brands, particularly during Ramadan, Christmas, and Eid seasons.

The brand is also in early-stage conversations with luxury department stores and global hospitality groups in Paris, Dubai, and New York, as it eyes international expansion and wholesale distribution partnerships.

 

Ethical Trade Model with Female-Led Sourcing

At the core of Raphia’s operations is an ethical trade model that champions Moroccan women’s cooperatives and family-owned agricultural collectives. By cutting out intermediaries and investing directly in rural producers, Raphia ensures fair pricing, skill preservation, and long-term economic empowerment.

This sourcing model also supports Morocco’s national export goals while reinforcing the UK’s position as a high-value market for culturally significant goods.

 

In 2025 and beyond, Raphia will launch a new logistics and operations division to streamline its import/export pipeline and minimise its carbon footprint. This will enable the brand to increase output while remaining agile, sustainable, and artisanal at its core.

The company is also developing a limited-edition “Ingredients of Morocco” tasting experience, designed for luxury hotels, buyers, and food editors seeking deep storytelling in culinary form.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Elizabeth Lowe .