The rush to grow strawberries in Egypt results in falling prices
The first Egyptian strawberries of the season are hitting the market. The industry is emerging from a difficult planting period, marked by issues with seedling quality, only to face a decline in value. However, according to several growers, export volumes this season are expected to reach record highs.
Amr Kadah, export manager at Fruit.Farm, sums up the situation: “The strawberry acreage in Egypt has increased dramatically this year. Growers rushed to cultivate strawberries, and the total area increased by 35% to reach more than 100,000 feddans (1 feddan = 0.43 ha). This has been accompanied by widespread problems with the supply of good-quality seedlings, necessitating extensive replanting. We are now seeing huge volumes and very low prices at the start of the season.”
This craze for strawberries has naturally led to fierce competition among Egyptian exporters themselves. Kadah says, “Despite increased production and transportation costs, prices for fresh strawberries are now lower than last season.”
“Strange strawberry season. We are barely two weeks in, and already we are witnessing a masquerade in the markets. I do not understand how a box of strawberries can be exported at half its cost to Gulf countries,” an Egyptian exporter rants on LinkedIn.
Kadah comments, “This is the inevitable result of the large expansion in acreage and the big jump in volumes. We expect to exceed 550,000 tons exported in a single season, in both fresh and frozen strawberries.”
According to the exporter, strong demand and greater market diversification will help sustain the export campaign. He explains, “We expect a large increase in exports to China, which has exempted Egyptian exports from customs duties. China will join markets that import Egyptian strawberries in large quantities, such as Arab countries, Europe, and Russia.”
“Egypt is therefore set to remain at the top of the podium as the leading exporter of strawberries for the fourth consecutive year, despite strong competition, surpassing all other sources such as China, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Turkey, Morocco, and Spain, thanks to unbeatable prices,” the exporter continues.
According to Kadah, this season’s Egyptian production is dominated by the Florida, Sweet Sensation, Fortuna, and Festival varieties. He concludes: “We strive to offer our partners in all regions of the world the variety they want, at competitive prices and with impeccable quality.”
For more information:
Amr Kadah
Fruit.Farm
Tel: +201009288377
Email: amr.kadah@mail.ru
