Introducing production and export of fair-trade avocado oil to Ethiopia Note: This project has been cancelled, because of the lack of financial means.To establish a production facility for the production and export of 200 tons of extra virgin avocado oil, and production and local sales of 2,000 tons of avocado paste annually. There is an enormous potential for marketing extra virgin avocado oil in the world.In Ethiopia, large quantities of local variety avocados are being produced, of which between 30,000 tons and 40,000 tons (60% of total production) go to waste per annum for lack of economic use. The other 40% is sold at low prices in the local markets. Currently, no company in Ethiopia is producing avocado oil. The project is located in Awasa on 0.5 ha for the processing facility. The applicant has set up a joint venture with the local partner. The project partners intend to seize the market opportunity and implement a solution for the waste problem by establishing an avocado outgrower scheme for 600 farmers and an avocado oil processing facility, which will be HACCP and fair-trade certified.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)CSR is anchored in the project through HACCP and Fair Trade certifications. A specific policy will aim at the environment (recycling of water, CO2 neutrality), a good HRM policy, a value chain policy, workers health and safety, non-discrimination and an anti-corruption policy.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project pays living wage and has the following fringe benefits: extensive training programme, transport and a contract with a health centre for (emergency) care to employees.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThere is no production of extra virgin, or even crude, avocado oil in Ethiopia at present. The extraction technology itself is also new to Ethiopia. The by-product of avocado paste is very useful in animal feed, as Ethiopia lacks sources of good ingredients for their animal feed as the sector is under-supplied.•	Chain effectsImpact on local suppliers600 outgrowers will be supported, they will supply avocados. Two already existing cooperatives will supply. In addition 12 suppliers will provide services (bank, insurance, legal), seedlings / stationary / fuel.Impact on local customers or consumersThe avocado oil itself will be exported, but its by-products, paste and seeds, will be made available locally. The paste will be supplied to the under-utilised animal feed sector, which will ultimately benefit local farmers. The seeds will benefit the MASHAV nursery (as seeds) and famers who will receive them crushed as compost.•	Impact on the sectorThe project will set up a trainee programme for 10 trainee-students in the agro-economic department of Wondo College. Three of them will get a paid job in the project afterwards.•	EnvironmentThe project is an implicit solution of part of the waste problem of avocados, of which about 60% doesn’t reach the market but is left to rot on the land. In addition, the project aims to be CO2-neutral.•	Position of womenAbout 40% of workers will be female.•	Impact on food safetyAs the paste will be used for animal feed, this indirectly contributes to healthier animals that provide more meat, milk, eggs, etc. To establish a production facility for the production and export of 200 tons of extra virgin avocado oil, and production and local sales of 2,000 tons of avocado paste annually.