Margin redistribution for better job opportunities

A partnership between Dole Europe B.V. and Fairfood aims to systematically take a part of Dole Europe B.V.’s margin on citrus from the South-African Sunday’s River Valley, and bring it back to local pickers’ and producers’ communities.

What issues does this partnership help solve?

Well, there are two things. The citrus industry is one of the biggest employers in the Sundays River Valley, although mostly when the fruit needs to be picked and packed. A poor educational system, high seasonality, and little economic diversification amplify the negative effects on the community, resulting in high unemployment and limited opportunities for workers beyond the harvest period. Recognising this challenge, Dole Europe B.V. and Fairfood set out to bridge the gap between the skill set of local workers and available job opportunities. By reinvesting part of the citrus trade margin into education and training, the project helps improve long-term employability and economic resilience in the region.

The other thing is: the export of citrus from South Africa to the EU is under pressure. Competition from other markets is high—not only on pricing, but also because the EU has high importing standards when it comes to certification and phytosanitary regulations. To maintain access to this key market, transparency and compliance are crucial. This project leverages real-time traceability technology, ensuring that every step of the supply chain is verifiable and meets EU standards. By strengthening business relationships and increasing trust between producers, retailers, and consumers, it helps safeguard the future of South African citrus exports to Europe.

What we do

Field-to-fork traceability

Including identification of growers, farm- and factory workers, and transparency on the (re)distribution of margins.

Supply chain transparency for responsible sourcing

Proactive disclosure and verification of highly valuable data to create higher product value. Giving farm- and factory workers a face and voice and making them part of the international citrus value chain.

Funding of education and economic opportunities in local communities

Distributing part of Dole Europe B.V.’s margin to community projects to increase economic prospects.

Strengthening inclusion and improving livelihoods

Dole Europe B.V. is giving back by redistributing part of its citrus margin directly to local communities. Through field-to-fork traceability, the project ensures transparency in the value chain—identifying growers, farm and factory workers, and making the redistribution of margins visible. These funds are reinvested in projects with the highest local impact, strengthening worker representation, funding education, and fostering economic diversification. By improving skills and job opportunities, this initiative creates a more inclusive and sustainable future for the people behind the citrus industry.

The Travelling Teacher

Dole Europe B.V. is redistributing part of their margin towards community projects focused on education and economic diversification. The local organisation Sundays River Valley Collaborative (SRVC) provides context and helps select the most impactful projects. One project that made the selection is the Travelling Teacher project, that increases agricultural skills and knowledge in the community by engaging highly skilled educators to deliver classes across participating schools in the Valley.