Improved Quality Management in the Euro Mediterranean Fruits and Vegetables Processing Industry

1. Improved Quality Management in the Euro Mediterranean Fruits and Vegetables Processing Industry

2. Fifth Thematic Workshop12-15th December 2003 Brandisi, Italy.

3. Improving quality management in the minimally-processed fruit and vegetables industry of the Euro-Med area

4. Map of West Bank and Gaza Strip This map shows the two parts of the Palestinian National Authority West Bank and Gaza Strip. The rest of Palestine is occupied by the Israeli army.

5. Country total surface The total area of West Bank and Gaza Strip is estimated at 6.245 million dunums. The West Bank covers 5.88 million dunums and Gaza Strip 0.365 million dunums

6. Climate A Mediterranean climate prevails in Palestine. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are rainy and cold. The weather in Gaza is fair and warm in winter, and hot in the summer. The average temperature in the West Bank in the summer is 25C, in winter it is 12 C. This type of weather is suitable for planting varieties of vegetables and fruit.

7. Palestinian agricultural trade Over the last few years (1995-1997) the WBGS have failed to maintain the comparative advantage in producing and exporting fresh vegetables, fruit and citrus products. The levels of exports of various commodities have been declined. On the other hand, the WBGS have continued to increase their dependency on importing fruit and vegetables, specially from Israel.

8. Palestinian Agricultural Trade in US$ million between 1995-1997 compared to 1992-1994

9. Developments in the fruit and vegetable sectors in Palestine The fruit and vegetable sectors in Palestine has become an important sector in the Palestinian economy. Government of Palestine is in need to put in place dynamic strategies and an operational framework contained in the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA).

10. In order to improve the fruit and vegetable sectors the following policies should be implemented 1- Implement land reform, so that potential investors are ensured of secure tenure. 2- Build capacity of agriculture related institutions. 3- Build capacity for production and improvement of seeds. 4- Finance agricultural research to develop smallholder farmers. 5- Promote productivity enhancing technologies.

11. Fruit Subsector A variety of fruits are planted in various parts of Palestine. Fruits of significant importance and potential for export and processing are:

12. Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits produced in Palestine include several varieties of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarin, tangerines and other varieties of citrus fruits. The demand for citrus fruits in the local market is high. There is a high potential for increased production mainly by getting more farmers to engage in commercial production of citrus fruits.

13. Production of citrus fruit in Palestine by type and by tons 2000/2001

14. Tropical fruit Tropical fruit production in Palestine has consistently increased over-the years. The climate is suitable for growing different varieties of tropical fruit such as banana, guava nectarine and mango. Production of tropical fruit has been growing over the years with corresponding increased demand for local consumption. Some of the varieties are suitable for the fresh fruit market , some are suitable for minimally processes and others for processing into juice and other products.

15. Production of tropical fruit in Palestine by type and by tons 2000/2001

16. Production of other fruit in Palestine by type and by tons 2000/2001 Other fruit that are grown in different parts of Palestine are: Apricot, Date, Peach, Apple, Grape, Pears and Cherry. Most of these fruits are consumed locally. Part of theme are exported to Israel and Jordan. The types and quality of these fruits can be improved to be suitable for export and for minimally process. There is a high potential for increased production and processing of all varieties of fruit.

17. Production of other fruit in Palestine by type and by tons 2000/2001

18. Market for fruit The major markets for the Palestinian fresh fruit are the European Union and the Arab Countries

19. Fruit Processing Fruit are processed locally into juice and the juice sold fresh in restaurants, on the streets and in corner shops. Juices are also prepared and consumed at home. The most popular fruit for juice preparation are orange, lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, apple, banana, carrot, strawberry and mango. The demand for fruit juices in Palestine is very strong. In order to meet this demand, a range of fruit juices are imported into the country. This is a strong indication of the existence of investment opportunities in fruit juice processing sector, for local and export markets.

20. Vegetable Subsector Vegetables are a major crop produced in Palestine and there is a big range of varieties found in the markets. Vegetables of economic importance are:

21. Production of field vegetables in Palestine by type and tons 2000/2001

22. Spices Spices production in Palestine is limited. There is potential for increased production of theses spices. The main spices produced in Palestine are:

23. Production of spices in Palestine by type and tons 2000/2001

24. Market for vegetables The major market for vegetables is the local market followed by the regional and then the international market

25. Investment opportunities in Palestine

26. Investment in Fruit Subsector There are limited fruit processing industries in Palestine. The establishment of fruit processing factories, handling different fruits is one big area for investment. Such products as minimally processed, jams, tropical fruit juices, citrus juice, dry fruit, etc are imported. It is very important to realize that there is a big demand for citrus and other fruit suitable for ready-to-eat fruit salad, juice and jams in the European Union and the Arab world. Investment opportunities exist in setting up commercial farms to produce and export many varieties of fresh and minimally processed fruit to the European and Arab world market

27. Investment in Vegetable Subsector Palestinian vegetable-processing industry is suffering from the lack of integration among agricultural production, processing and marketing. The processing practice do not meet the international adopted specifications. Investment opportunities in the minimally processed industry in Palestine in among the biggest areas of industries. Almost all the vegetables planted in Palestine are suitable for minimally processing such as peeled and sliced potatoes, shredded lettuce and cabbage, washed and trimmed spinach, vegetable snacks such as carrot, celery sticks, cleaned and diced onions and microwaveable fresh vegetable trays.

28. Status and production potential of minimally processed fruit and vegetables sectors in Palestine

29. Consumers are increasingly demanded convenient, ready-to-use and ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables with a fresh-like quality and containing only natural ingredients. The minimally processed fruit and vegetable industries are the major sources of providing such products. In Palestine this sector has not been established yet due to the low demand of consumers to such products. It is recently we used to fined minimally processed fruit and vegetables in small scales in some supermarkets in Palestine.

30. minimally processed fruit and vegetables in the Palestinian supermarkets along with the processing and type of packaging used.

32. Labor Skilled Manpower: The Departments of Food Science and Technology in the Palestinian universities and institutions train graduates specializing in processing and postharvest aspects of fruits and vegetables. These are major resources especially in matters of meeting the requirements of the local authorities and the stringent quality requirements of the importing countries. Researchers and specialists in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Plant breeding, Agricultural Engineering, Soil science etc. are available in the Faculties of Agriculture at the Palestinian universities, research centers and ministries. These graduates are suitable as foremen and general farm workers

33. Unskilled manpower: Palestine continues to provide cheap unskilled manpower, far cheaper and more productive than in Israel. More than 500,000 unskilled workers used to work in food industry sector in Israel before 2001. Today only about 5000 workers have permitions to work in Israel.

34. Fresh and minimally processed food industry legislation in Palestine The legislation in this field is harmonized with most relevant E.U. requirements with regard to labeling, packaging and quality assurance aspects. The Palestinian Standards Institution ( PSI ) is responsible for issuing the Palestinian food standards. General food regulations include measures covering hygiene, food additives, packaging, pesticides residue, food labeling are imposed on the food processing industries. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, a hygiene measure aimed at controlling potential health hazards in food manufacturing, is not implemented in Palestine and it is not a requirement of any Palestinian regulations. It is very important to implement this requirement to improve the overall level of hygiene and safety of Palestinian food industries.

35. Technology and machinery acquisition The Palestinian market suffers from a shortage in local producers of machinery intended for fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables industries. Most of the factories operate manually. The service for insulation and maintenance of machinery is absent. The Palestinian factories depend on the Israeli technology in insulation and maintenance of the machines. On the other hand, most of the machines intended for packaging industries are imported from Israel or the EU countries. The urgent need to establish institutions specialized in engineering service related to fruits and vegetable industries in Palestine is essential.

36. Useful contacts Institutions support to fruits and vegetables industriesin Palestine are universities, institutions and research centers involved in food technology. Some of them provide pure theoretical knowledge and others are involved in research studies including: improving the food industries, analysis, implementing regulations and collaboration studies with other regional and international institutions. Among the Centers and institutions inPalestine involved in food technology are:

37. Research Centers: 1- Chemical, Biological and Drugs Analysis Center (CBDA) at An-Najah National University. 2- Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ) 3- Center for Palestine Research and Studies (CPRS) 4- Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health Universities and institutions: 1- Al-Azhar University, Gaza 2- Al-Quds University 3- An-Najah National University 4- Arab American University - Jenin 5- Bethlehem University 6- Birzeit University 7- Hebron University 8- Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) 9- Palestine Polytechnic Institute