FAO and the Palestinian Government Facilitate National Dialogue on Reforming Fruits and Vegetables Wholesale Markets for Greater Equity and Inclusiveness

Ramallah, Palestine - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in coordination with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Palestinian Union of Local Authorities, organized a national workshop focused on “The Reform of the Fruits and Vegetables Wholesale Market Governance and Management System in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS): Current Challenges and Future Aspirations”.

“Strengthening the governance and management of wholesale markets is key to ensuring fair, resilient, and sustainable food systems for Palestinian communities,” said Dr. Ciro Fiorillo, FAO WBGS  Head of Office.

This workshop is part of the second phase of the Multi-Donor Agribusiness Programme (MAP 2), implemented by FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the financial support of Denmark, the European Union, Switzerland, and Spain.

The workshop was attended by about 40 experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health (Environmental Health), the Ministry of National Economy (Consumer Protection), and local authorities (municipalities) that have wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables, in addition to traders, farmers, and others.

The participants reached several proposals and recommendations, the most prominent of which was the urgent need to review and amend the current market system or establish a new system to strengthen and improve the existing framework, particularly concerning fees collection and institutionalization. They also recommended forming a committee to follow up on this issue under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government that issued the system, with participation of all relevant ministries and agencies.

Furthermore, the participants emphasized the need to institutionalize and organize wholesale markets through the Palestinian Union of Local Authorities with technical support, coordination and follow-up from the relevant ministries.

“Our collective efforts aim to enhance access, equity, and efficiency in the market system, driving lasting improvements for farmers and consumers alike,” stressed Dr. Azzam Saleh Ayasa, FAO WBGS Head of Programme.

The Multi-Donor Agribusiness Programme, in both its first phase (MAP 1) and the current phase (MAP 2), aims to support wholesale markets with the necessary regulatory frameworks and governance, enhance the administrative capacities and improve infrastructure to enable effective, inclusive and equitable access to Palestinian agricultural and food products to markets. As part of the MAP 1 project, the wholesale markets of Hebron, Qabatiya and Khan Younis were developed, and work is currently underway within the MAP 2 project to develop the markets of Nablus and Tulkarem.