Introduction

The idea to set up an organisation to unite the olive growers was launched by a Facebook post on 4th October, 2022 by Mr. Jimmy Magro. Several persons wrote in support of this idea. Mr. Magro then proceeded to call a meeting on the 18th November, 2022 to discuss the formation of an entity to unite the olive growers.

Following intensive work, with the support of Koperattivi Malta, the Provisional Committee delivered the full documentation required to register the cooperative with the Cooperatives Board. The application consisted of two sections of the application, business plan and financial projections, statute, certified Identity Cards of all Committee members, address consent form, Form 1 – UBO certified by the Malta Business Registry, and full details of the Committee members. The Olive Growers Cooperative Limited was officially registered on the 27th February 2023.

On the 12th May, 2023, the Cooperative held its first Extraordinary General Meeting and elected its Management Committee composed of six persons, and the Supervisory Board composed by three persons. The Olive Growers Cooperative Limited is led by Mr. Jimmy Magro, as President of the Management Committee.

The current Management Committee is composed of :

Our Objectives

In the first three years, these are the areas we will concentrate on in the olive sector:

1. Encourage the cultivation of olive trees
2. Encourage the production of olive oil of high quality
3. Ensure that the legal framework is establsihed for the sector
4. Establish sound co-operation agreements with our stakeholers
5. Initiate local and international campaigns
6. Embark on olive growers educational program
7. Embark on consumers educational program

Membership

Membership in the Olive Growers Cooperative Limited is open to all persons that cultivate olive trees irrespective of the number of trees on their holding. Every member pays his share ONLY ONCE when he applies for membership. There are no annual, extra or hidden charges/fees. Every share in the Cooperative has a value of 50 Euros. A person that is interested to apply for membership has to submit an Application Form and 50 Euros per share requested. The application has to be approved by the Management Committee. In case you need any clarifications, please call on 79493556.

Any person that is interested to submit a membership application (which is found in the Documents Section) shall fill in the application and sign it, issue a cheque in favour of the Koperattiva Produtturi taz-Zebbug Limited (50 euros per share purchased) and make a copy of the Identity Card (Front and Back) and send all documents to the registered address of the Cooperative. The documents and payments are to be sent to KPZ Limited, 10, Bonsai, Triq San Martin, Zebbug, Malta. Payment may also be made through the Pay a Bill facility of the BOV internet banking and BOV Mobile to Mobile on 79387717

Membership Benefits

Membership in the Cooperative has the following advantages:

1. Assist in the proliferation of best practices and address the erratic cultivation methods;
2. Provide guidance on how best to test the product at competitive prices so that it has added value;
3. Provide better opportunities for the use of EAFRD funding programs;
4. Provide better logistics with the millers hence harmonizing currently inconsistent processing protocols;
5. Olive growers will be united under one organisation with a strong voice;
6. Identify marketing strategies for the prestigious product at favourable prices;
7. Analyse the sector potential to create a clear strategy for reaching production targets;
8. provide assistance to overcome the economies of scale – such as 1) organic olive producers 2) waste streams of the industry.