Enhancing transition to green and sustainable economic growth in Palestine

This maturation project established an ethical, export-based, and inclusive business model for the dates value chain in Palestine. The project identified a Palestinian packaging-exporter of dates for the Danish market, resulting in a sustained sourcing of Palestinian sustainable dates for sale in Salling’s retail shops in Denmark. The exporter introduced sourcing from small-scale farmers and supported – with the assistance from the non-commercial partners – date farmers’ transition to more sustainable production methods. It resulted in an increase in their export of dates from zero to 293 tons in 2024, of which 18 tons were purchased under a specific label by Salling.

After the project ended, the collaboration continues and Salling has increased purchase to 27 tons in 2025. Small-scale date producers more than tripled their income from increased productivity and higher prices. A planned introduction of solar driven water pumps was not realised due to difficulties in importing the equipment during the war.

The project facilitated awareness raising and conducted multistakeholder dialogues at both national and international levels to support policy changes in Palestine, promoting adherence to RBC principles and practices within the date sector.