Preparations for the grape season are currently underway for the Egyptian company Dakahlia, and according to Khaled Al Anani, prospects so far are quite good. “The grapes are maturing quickly because the weather right now is very warm, and we believe that this, together with the good fertility, will have a good impact on quality.”
This year, the Dakahlia expects to export between 1,500 and 1,700 tonnes. “This is an increase compared to last year, as we have a new project in the south that is also becoming productive and will contribute some 200 tonnes to the total volume,” explains Khaled. “We see a good development, so next year we expect to reach 2,000 tonnes.”
When it comes to exports, Khaled says that the company has managed to consolidate its presence in South East Asia and will continue to focus on this area. “There are also negotiations with the Chinese government for the opening of this market to our produce and we hope these will yield some positive results for us,” he affirms.
Besides the Asian expansion, Dakahlia also expects a really good year in Europe due to the earlier end of the Indian grape season. “We obviously have some volumes that have already been agreed and the rest will depend on the market and the price, so we will see how things go there,” states Khaled. “Our main markets in Europe are Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries.”
All in all, while it is impossible to be sure how the season will go, Khaled states that “if European demand is good and the Russian market stabilises, I think there’s a very good chance for a great season.”
For more information:
Khaled Al Anani
Dakahlia (Egypt)