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food brands are based on top quality ingredients, environmentally sustainable
production methods and links to their makers, their place of origin and local
people. For both Albania and Greece, table olives sector represents a very
significant local product, yet underestimated regarding its potentials. Table
olives according to the IOC and the World Bank, constantly increase their
international market share during the last years (1991-2015:+173%). At the
other hand, table olives become less competitive every year in Greece and
Albania due to application of obsolete practices in the orchards, the
processing methods and the marketing approaches. Stakeholders of olive products
chain (cropping, processing, logistics, marketing, trading and administration)
agree that the secret for success in the sector is found in the development and
application of cost efficient and environmentally friendly cropping practices,
application of quality assurance and traceability systems, standardization and
packaging of the final products, and efficient marketing-branding approaches.
OLIVE_CULTURE project, -following the available regional RIS priorities- aims
to establish a network of expertise exchange which will lead to the application
of innovative crop management and efficient trading services for demand-driven
capitalization of good practices and scientific knowledge. These goals will be
achieved through HUBs for providing training and agribusiness services,
integrated management of crop using precision agriculture tools, innovative
olive processing methods, support of labelling by providing scientific
information regarding nutritional value and environmental impact, provision of
marketing consultation and creation of local brands.
The project is
expected to enhance the name of the area, promote distinctive characteristics
of local table olives, promote cooperative economy structures, motivate local
stakeholders and entrepreneurs to be engaged in agriculture and food processing
and marketing sectors, to build capacities and gain valuable experience through
participation in national and international exhibitions. All these will expand
synergies, create cross-border partnerships, attract new investments, act
complementary for other local products, enlarge export opportunities and
contribute to economic growth (more profits, less unemployment) for the
participating areas and beyond.
The project
beneficiaries are strong local institutions (public authorities through their
business and local production departments; academic institutes and technology
transfer centres through their agricultural and information technology RnD
structures). Relevant national and international stakeholders will be invited
to follow and participate the project’s activities. The project beneficiaries
have participated in successfully completed GR-AL cooperation projects, a fact
that guarantees the effective management and the results oriented character of
OLIVE_CULTURE.