Courtesy of OXFAM International:

The Palestinian Fairtrade Network opens a brighter future for Palestinian farmers and producers

The Palestinian Fairtrade Network will be launched this week by Palestinian agricultural, trade and academic organizations, supported by Oxfam and PARC to help Palestinian farmers and exporters get a share of the growing market for fair-trade products throughout the world. Fairtrade Palestinian olive oil is in great demand with its high quality and distinctive flavor. It leads the way for a variety of Palestinian produce to take their place in the best restaurants and stores and in homes around the world.

Dynamic fairtrade actors, local cooperatives and numerous distinguished academics from Palestine, North America, Europe and the Far East, will gather for the Second National Fairtrade Conference “Market Potentials for Palestinian Fairtrade Products” on 16-18 March, in Al Zababdeh – Jenin. The conference is supported by the European Commission, Oxfam, CCFD and PARC.

Many Palestinian organizations are now applying the fairtrade principles to their entire supply chain as the fairtrade produce from Palestine is increasingly attractive for local and foreign markets. Products range from olive oil, almonds and dates to olive wood carvings. This increasing popularity overseas provides a unique export opportunity to support farmers and small producers who have been particularly affected by the Israeli occupation.

Throughout the three days of the conference farmers, processors and exporters will discuss ways to increase market opportunities for small-scale producers in Palestine. International advocates will work closely with Palestinian fairtrade specialists to identify the solutions to export challenges faced by farmers and small producers in Palestine.

“The Palestinian fairtrade sector is booming and it is essential for the public to understand how unique and high quality Palestinian goods are. The Fairtrade Network is a one-of-a-kind in Palestine and this approach will help Palestinian farmers and producers increase their presence in the local and international markets”, said Issa Elshatleh from the Palestinian Farmers’ Association Union.

“Already, some members of the Network are exporting to Europe, North America, Arab countries and Israel. This is the first step toward greater confidence, independence and economic security for our farmers”, added Elshatleh.

High points to look forward to in the conference will be when winners of the olive oil competition are announced and when Palestinian cooperatives will be commended for their recent ground breaking registration with the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO- http://www.wfto.com). Salem Abu Ghazaleh director of fair trade department in PARC said: “We have worked hard for this registration. It’s a great honor and will make a lot of difference to our businesses.”

For more information, please contact: Jamil Hijazeen, Fairtrade Development Center, +972 (0)2 274 3881, mobile: +972 (0)598 939 528, e-mail: jhijazin@bethlehem.edu

Note to Editors: Arabic-English translation will be available.

The Fairtrade Network is comprised of the following organizations:

Fair Trade Development Center (FTDC), which is affiliated to Bethlehem University; Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC); Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); Palestinian Farmer’s Association Union (PFU); Holy Land Cooperative Society (HLCS) and Oxfam Great Britain.

This conference is made possible through the funding of:

European Commission (EC); Comité Catholique Contre la Faim et pour le Développement (CCFD); Oxfam Solidarité and PARC.

Visit the OXFAM International website here.