Palestinians might not have much to smile about right now, considering the onslaught of Israeli aggression they have experienced since Christmas, but 2009 sees the launch of Palestinians’ first fair trade product.
In December, Bethlehem saw its highest number of tourists for a decade, and although this is bound to be affected by the atrocities taking place in Palestine, we can only presume that at some stage, the conflict will settle down and tourism and agriculture can recover. In December, Israeli and Palestinian officials reported economic growth of 4-5% and a drop in the unemployment rate.
Palestinian farmers face challenges when carrying out normal agricultural activities, because of restrictions on movement, water shortages, and more recently, bombs. The executive of the Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb said “We hope this will be the first of many more fair trade products coming from the world’s conflict zones and least developed countries. If so, it will help to catalyse markets and make a real economic difference to the communities that need it most”.
Former Marks & Spencer managing director, Lord Stone of Blackheath, was scheduled to head a delegation to the West Bank in February, to explore the possibility of creating a Palestinian agricultural hub to improve economic conditions. With Israeli military bombing hospitals and UN representatives, it’s unlikely that this visit will take place, unless the security situation improves dramatically and a ceasefire is agreed upon.
The development of Palestinian olive oil is seen as an important source of food security, labour and cash. Olive oil is projected to add 123 million USD to the fragile West Bank economy, which is 18% of their total agricultural production.
The development comes after a Palestinian investment conference attended by Gordan Brown, Peter Mandelson and Tony Blair among others.
In other fair trade news, Harry Hill is launching his own brand of salted peanuts. He’s not collecting any profits from his first foray into the food world, in a bid to help farmers in Africa and Latin America.
‘I love salted peanuts myself and feel I am doing a service to snackers everywhere who want to know the farmers who grew what they are eating have been paid a fair price,’ explained Hill.
It seems in 2009, fair trade products will continue to expand and diversify, and all the while help the world’s poorest people receive a decent price for their produce. It remains to be seen whether olive oil can help Palestinians out of poverty, but fair trade products are a great way for consumers to guarantee that the farmer who grew their food received a fair price.
Cafedirect is the UK’s largest Fairtrade hot drinks company, with experts in tea, coffee, sustainable development, climate change, and responsible supply chain management.
