Dates value chain Development (BO-27.04-002-103)

A consortium of local entrepreneurs and knowledge institutes in the middle East (Israel, PA, Egypt) ask for Dutch expertise in processing, handling, automation and trade to modernise the dates sector in this region. A good model could provide opportunities in other regions of the aforementioned countries, and secondly, new healthy dates concepts allows new models for Dutch retailers and traders. The project aims to improve the post-harvest handling, logistics, storage and consumer information on date fruits. It will analyse 1) the present situation of date varieties (market value, market volume, quality characteristics) produced in The Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Israel, 2) the logistics, post-harvest and handling and 3) preferences of the European consumer. This information will open ways to create new chain concepts for date fruits and will open new logistic avenues.

The present study will generate the base for an additional business plan to bring the chain partners together in one concept and strengthening the local dates sector.