Exotic mushrooms from Brazil P.P. Tropisch Fruit B.V. (applicant), is a wholesaler of tropical fruits and exotic mushrooms in the Netherlands, Agro Comercial Bella Vista Ltda. (local partner) is a wholesaler of fruit and vegetables in Brazil, and Shanghai Pan Globle Food Co. Ltd (partner) is a grower and exporter of mushrooms, vegetables and fruits in China.Based on recent market surveys, these companies see an opportunity to develop the production of exotic mushrooms in Brazil. There is a growing domestic demand for healthy products in a more balanced economic society and, due to its large immigrant population, Brazil also has an increasingly diversified restaurant and catering industry, always looking for new products and ingredients.The project partners, therefore decided to set up a joint venture to start the cultivation of exotic mushrooms in Vitória da Conquista, southern Bahia.Currently, commercial (certified) cultivation of exotic mushrooms does not exist in Brazil. The mushrooms that are available on the domestic market, are cultivated on a small scale according to traditional (empirical) methods. Due to uncontrolled processing the quality is poor and the prices are too high.The project is new for Brazil, will introduce new production technology and create 60 medium-/high-level jobs, in one of the poorest regions of Bahia state. Furthermore, market prospects are positive and a solid return on investment can be expected.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project will introduce food safety, hygiene and manufacturing criteria (GlobalGAP and HACCP) to the production and processing of mushrooms. The plant will be equipped with fire-extinguishers, fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits and a safe electrical system. Emergency drills will be held regularly. Some of the staff members will receive First Aid training and medical assistance is regularly available for all employees and their families. A crèche will be available for employees' children.Employees and their families will all have medical insurance.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project will generate 60 direct jobs, of which 20 of a high- and 40 of a medium-level. For production operators salaries will be 30% above minimum wages. Two years after the pilot the number of permanent jobs will have increased to 120 (basically a doubling of the capacity).Besides good primary working conditions, employees will have benefits such as:- 13 months’ salary per year;- Health insurance;- Child care facilities;- A basic "food basket" for employees with children under 16.•	Chain effectsBetween 10 and 15 FTEs will be involved in the supply of substrate materials. They will be paid a price per kilogram delivered, and will receive back the used substrate, that can be sold as fertilizer.An estimated 10 to 20 persons will be involved with the distribution of the mushrooms in the retail activities.•	EnvironmentThe production process is completely "clean" and can be seen as a demonstration facility in that respect. Basic ingredients used are waste from other processes and a healthy (high protein) food product is the result. Sub products of the process (used substrate) will be recycled as fertilizer for other agricultural activities. The water used will be filtered and reused.•	Position of womenAbout 60% of the workforce is expected to be women. The most likely positions will be in laboratory handling, but also in harvest and packaging of the mushrooms. This high percentage is only possible by having a child care centre near the factory. To set up a - HACCP and GlobalGAP certified - pilot production of exotic mushrooms (King Oyster, Shimeji, Enoki) in Brazil, with an output capacity of 1,000 kg per day.