Green Corridor Project 2004

During 2003 and first half of 2004 the number of rejects of Iranian pistachio into EU increased to approximately 16-21% on certified deliveries. Exports of Iranian pistachio into EU are, therefore, considered for additional restrictions. EU has advised that if the reject levels are not decreased theDecreasing the rejection of Iranian Pistachio in EU market coming months, with the new harvest, additional restrictions -if not total embargo- will be imposed Traditionally Europe has been the most remunerative market for Iranian pistachios and EU authorities as well as European consumers like Iranian pistachios. Any probable additional restrictions would not only have adverse effect in Europe, but shall affect negatively global markets for Iranian pistachios. In order to counter such unfavorable circumstances, the Scientific and Technical Committee of INC/FRUCOM represented by Mr. G. Calcagni and Mr. M. Jallalpour, President of Kerman Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines (KCCIM) have come to the conclusion to launch a new study plan (under the name of Green Corridor Project 2004) and to analyze, step by step, all the critical control points to find guidelines and possible solutions.

PROJECT TITLE:
RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN IRANIAN PISTACHIOS

1) Background and strategies

a) During 2003 and the first half of 2004 the number of RAS rejects of Iranian pistachio into EU increased to approximately 16-21% on certified deliveries.(Based on the percentage of official certificates issued in Iran, versus rejected consignments reported through RASSF)

b) The EU Authorities, as well European consumers, like pistachios. The market is large and rich, now covering more than 455 millions consumers with the potential to reach more than 600 million by 2010. One origine cannot supply all the demand in the market, therefore having confidence in more than one supplier is critical.

c) Export of Iranian pistachio is also important, currently 800 million US dollars is spent on export with the potential to reach 1000 million US dollars considering the added value that today is not obtained, due to uncertain quality and high number of rejections.

d) In Iran the pistachio industry is developed in the provinces of Kerman (93%) and Yazd (7%) it is economically, socially and politically, of extreme importance for about two million of the population.

e) During the last 5 years, aflatoxin has caused a great negative impact and is still causing huge losses and mis-confidence between growers, exporters and European importers. Gradually Iranian origin pistachio have disappeared from the main European retailers. As a consequence, Iranian growers are, losing value and market share and they cannot consistently invest in improvement programs without greater certainty. The fact is that the Iranian industry is generally depressed and frustrated.

f) During the last 10 years some basic changes have been brought in through GAP and GMP such as: only one harvest, improved pruning, irrigation and expensive water supply, different drying systems, water floating selection versus air sorting, collection bags, increased crop and slowness in the de-hulling and drying operations and maybe even the weather conditions have changed.

g) In conclusion, it’s necessary to launch a new study plan and to analyse, step by step, all the critical control points to find a solution. Due to the large extension and large number of players it’s necessary to have a pilot project on a voluntary basis, based on limited players that wish to make a change. In fact the traditions in this important country seem to be a large obstacle to the various initiatives planned so far by the national and regional institutions.

2) The Green Corridor Project:

This project consists of coordinating and implementing on a voluntary base of the following chain:

a) Up to 50 pistachio growers and farms (medium/large) with good expertise dedicated permanently to the pistachio production. It’s suggested to combine up to 45 in Kerman province and 5 in Yard province.

b) 10 terminals of which 4 in Kerman, 3 in Rafsanjan, 1 in Yazd, 2 in Sirjan utilizing different systems for drying and water floating/dry sorting.

c) 6 exporters and/or processors, which are mainly exporting to the EU and other qualified countries such as Japan.

d) 12/13 European importers and/or processors and packers, which are particularly keen and aware of Quality.

3) The goal of the project consists of monitoring condition and practices at the following critical control points through the delivery chain starting from pre-harvest to utilization in Europe but only for pistachios out of crop 2004:

a) Pre-harvest: two weeks before ripeness in the field.

b) Harvesting time: early, middle and late.

c) Transport to terminals by various means including bags and plastic crates etc.

d) De-hulling, cleaning, drying, sorting, storage at terminals. This will include regular cleaning and disinfecting the system as well as routine measurement of temperature, humidity, water activity and aflatoxin analysis in different step of this process.

e) Receiving, storage, bagging: at exporter/packer sites plus various means of export transportation.

f) On arrival at European receiving points and during storage, eventual sorting, roasting and salting process until final Q.C . and on retailer-shelf.

4) Key participants in the project:

a) Coordinators of the Study Project:
Chairman of Kerman Chamber of Commerce Mr Mohsen Jallalpour.
Chairman of FRUCOM/INC Scientific and Technical Committee Mr Giuseppe Calcagni.

b) Scientific Team:
Dr Ramesh V Bhat : Scientific Director on INC-Frucom side
Dr Fariborz Shojaee Ali Abadi as Scientific Director on Iranian side
Dr Cameon Ivarsson as Chief Consultant

c) 7 Agronomists ( 6 Iranians and 1 European) looking after the field activities.

d) 3 Food technologists (2 Iranians and 1 European – Dr Ramesh Bhat) looking after the terminals and the exporters participation.

e) 2 Universities or National Research Centres: Kerman University in Iran and ISPA-CNR research institute in Europe, to monitor and evaluate the project and the conclusions.

f) A number of certified independent labs, Katham Lab in Iran and 6 in the main European importing countries to be chosen by importers involved.

5) Benefits and duties of participants

Benefits

· The privilege to be in the list of volunteer companies leading an important project
· Take advantage of the research, the improvements and larger group
programmes for a better future and larger revenue
· Have all products tested free of charge
· (For the importers) Be part of Centres of Excellence towards the E.U. and the final customers

Duties

Field: Availability to provide all information and samples (limited quantity) free of charge

Terminal: Provide a specific contact person and free access to terminal during process

Provide samples (limited quantity) free of charge

Exporter: Supply all information prior to process/packing
Allow free access to the packing house
Provide samples free of charge
Provide all information related to shipment, name of receiver, container or truck number
Approve and accept a dual logistic test (standard vac bags versus reefer containers

Importer: Provide a specific contact person
Provide all information before import stage
Carry out analyses in the own lab or designated lab free of charge

Approve and accept a dual logistic test (standard vac bags versus reefer containers)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT