Recession, Conflict and Extending an Olive Branch

by Zarah Patriana

Published February 25, 2009 @ 11:13PM PT

There's a global recession and a crisis in Gaza, but despite it all Palestinian olive oil farmers are seeing a silver lining. In a conflict that has seen over a thousand Palestinian deaths and several thousand more injuries, future outlooks seem pretty bleak. However, it seems as though this conflict is a key reason behind a surge in demand for Palestinian olive oil from UK consumers, who have been supportive of the Palestinian cause. Although the UK is experiencing an economic recession like the rest of us, consumers across the pond are showing an increase in support for Fair Trade products on the market with sales topping £700m in 2008. Harriet Lamb of the Fairtrade Foundation remarks about the increase of sales in the UK,

We’re delighted to be able to report growth of 43% in Fairtrade sales, keeping us on track with our plan to double the impact of Fairtrade by 2012. In the current global economic climate, farmers need Fairtrade more than ever. So it is profoundly reassuring to know that the public are still wholeheartedly backing a better deal for farmers and workers around the world, enabling them to survive this crisis and continue investing in stronger businesses and a better life for their communities.  And it makes sense for business to build long-term relations with producers on whom they depend while also responding to public demand for Fairtrade.

Palestinian olive oil farmers have been working on getting Fair Trade certfication for over four years according to Nasser Abufarha, the chairman of the Palestinian Fairtrade Association, and now that they have it, it means a wider market for their goods as well as more sales. And more sales they have seen. For Fairtrade Fortnight that is currently going on, the Palestinian struggle in the Gaza Strip has been a key campaign for highlighting marginalized farmers working toward self-sustainability.

Fair Trade companies carrying Fair Trade olive oil have been nearly selling out of their stock due to the increase in demand. Equal Exchange in the UK (no relation to Equal Exchange in the US) and Zaytoun have seen a threefold and fourfold increase in sales, repectively, compared to last year.

Olives are one of the main crops for Palestinian farmers with thousands and thousands of farmers involved. However, due to the on-going conflict, many farms have been bulldozed or have to deal with security fences.

The village of Anin, west of Jenin in the West Bank, has seen 1,100 hectares of olive orchards cut off by Israel's security fence. Permits from the Israeli authorities are difficult to obtain and there are severe time constraints for visits, making it so hard for farmers to tend to their trees that some have given up altogether.

For the Palestinian Fair Trade Association, the goal is to use Fair Trade as a way to economically and socially empower Palestinian farmers. According to Aburaha, Fair Trade is not only about the price,

We have given farmers hope. An economic exchange that recognises Palestinian farmers' rights and respects the value of their connection to their land, after marginalization under Israeli occupation, is a major accomplishment.

Such a dire situation is showing the strength of the Palestinians who are working beyond conflict to find peace with their land. It also shows the strength that consumers have to positively affect a situation, even in small ways.

Salaam. Shalom.

Find out more about the Palestinian Fair Trade Association.

[photo: Atef Safadi/EPA]