In order to be able to enjoy international products in a sustainable way in our latitudes, we need economic systems that are based on solidarity or community support, for example. The focus is on developing an international economy that is sustainable from an economic, social and ecological perspective. Scaled to individual companies, this means that they should pursue a business model that aims for a healthy and sensible size in order to sustain the necessary structures in a sustainable, i.e. permanent manner. In this case, growth is not the goal but merely the purpose of achieving the optimal company size. Once this has been achieved, the company must stabilize itself economically, without further growth, and bring its know-how to the world.

If we observe the growth of a tree, it first grows in quantity. It does this until it has reached a height where it receives enough sunlight. It does not continue to grow infinitely into the sky and tower over all life on earth. No, it now develops its quality. That means its crown becomes larger and can therefore purify more air and release fresh oxygen. It develops finer roots and thus brings more nutrients into the soil, which the microorganisms welcome. And it binds more carbon over the years because its trunk grows in size, so that after its lifetime, as soon as it decomposes, more humus can form on the soil.

In the case of TEIKEI Olive, we consider an optimal farm size of 80 tons of olive oil per year. That is around 85 bottling operations spread across Germany and Switzerland, in each of which 1,000 liters of olive oil is distributed to the local community. On the Greek side, this means a community of around 15 small farmers who produce between 4 and 6 tons of olive oil annually. This amount finances their annual needs and also creates financial security for the associated families.