Fair Trade organic ISO 22000 compliant olive processing for export in Jenin

The project's joint venture 'Canaan Processing' will establish a processing line to bottle Fair Trade organic olive oil and pickled olives according to ISO 22000 standards. Without the ISO standards, it is not possible to access the international market beyond bio and solidarity shops. The processing unit will be in Jenin. The Applicant company is Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Inc. from the USA. The local partner, Canaan Co., already has an extensive network of small farmers that produce organic and fair trade olive oil. The third partner, Zaytoun Common Interest Company from the United Kingdom, will be responsible for developing the sales to the European supermarkets. The project will train 700 Palestinian small holder farmers in ISO 22000 (including HACCP) compliant olive production and processing and will ensure that they will maintain access to the North American and European Market.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

For Canaan's products, certifications for fair trade and organic are essential. Canaan is very active promoting and supporting training and certification of farmers of both fair trade and organic. These standards will also be incorporated in the ISO monitoring and certification. In addition, the joint venture will guarantee good working conditions and security protocols.
The joint venture will be a certified fair trade organisation.

Impact

Employment and working conditions

The project will create 22 full-time jobs. Twelve medium-/high-level and 10 basic-level. Additionally, 40 seasonal jobs (5 months) will be created. The salaries will be 25% above the average market salaries (the Palestinian Authority does not oblige a minimum wage). These jobs are additional to the 27 full-timers and 40 seasonal workers that currently work for Canaan, whose jobs will be secured. ISO 22000 and HACCP criteria will require good working conditions.

Innovation/Transfer of knowledge

The certifications for ISO 22000 and HACCP are new for the Palestinian Territories.

Chain effects

At least 4 companies will benefit continuously as suppliers to the facility.
In addition, approximately 1,000 farmers will deliver olives and oil to the new joint venture. Farmer groups will be strengthened and local presses will be brought to ISO 22000, fair trade and organic standards.

Environment

Production of organic olives is per definition not harmful for the environment. Given the dry climate and water shortage in the Palestinian Territories. The washing water is reused for several batches, reducing water usage to 60 litres per ton for oil and 100 litres per ton for table olives. As the harvest is in the rainy season, water availability is not problematic.

Position of women

Canaan is very active in promoting gender equality, which is very uncommon in the agro-industry in the Palestinian Territories. Women will be recruited for 40% of the newly created full-time jobs. The seasonal workers are all female.