Iran
How is it produced?
Depending on the variety, pomegranates come from trees or shrubs; a tree produces fruit in 3-6 years. Pomegranate trees can live to and possibly over 200 years, and each tree can produce 20-25 fruits in the fourth year; then, in the tenth year, it can produce roughly 100-150 fruits, and if it is treated well, it could be 200-250 fruits. This can vary between varieties as well.
Describe the supply chain to the store shelf in Canada:
The farm produces the fruit and sells it on the market; that country’s market can export it to Canada. Depending on the country, Peru has a free trade market, which helps Canada and Peru with trade, making it easier for the market to ship the fruit. While in Iran, the original country, it will be difficult since there are sanctions in the country (most sanctions are related to the government and arms, but they could affect other items), making people look elsewhere instead of Iran.
What is the power balance between the producer and seller?
Overall, there will be a power imbalance when it comes to the countries that have immigrants and Canada. The top three countries that send pomegranates are India, Peru, and Turkey. There can be a debate about these countries not being “first world” countries. These countries such as sweatshops and other poor working conditions; the production of pomegranates could phonetically be in that area as well.
Can you recommend changes to the system to improve the balance?
Since all countries would desire a free trade agreement due to it being favourable for shipments and lower to no tariff, we should look to that as the goal for each country. When we have a free trade agreement, there are important requirements for a free trade agreement such as working conditions and if these ease the markets, making it easier for more profits to improve the working conditions as well.
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