"Pioneer in Egyptian avocados"

The Egyptian white grape season kicked off early this year. "The market did not start well due to an oversupply of white grapes from India. In recent weeks, the market conditions have actually improved slightly, but the white grape season is now as good as over. The prospects for black and red grapes are much better than those of white grapes and a good demand is expected, "states commercial director Sara Salama, of PICO. In addition to the good climatic and growing conditions, she believes that one of the most important advantages of Egyptian grapes is that they bridge that gap between the Chilean/Indian season and the start of the European campaign.

PICO grows fruit on an area of nearly 3,000 hectares in the Egyptian delta. Besides grapes, other key products include strawberries, stonefruit, citrus, mangoes, avocados, pomegranates, lychees and bananas. For foreign contacts, Egyptian bananas might sound strange, but the company has been supplying them to the local market. We are Egypt’s largest banana producer with high-in-demand Cavendish and local varieties that we sell at local premium prices."

Exotics are among the products that are becoming increasingly popular. More than three years ago, Pico was the first Egyptian company to cultivate avocados and now it grows them on 70 hectares. "Several Egyptian companies have followed our example. The global demand for avocados is on the rise. We grow Hass avocados mainly for our export markets and green varieties for the local market," explains Sara. "We are exporting mangos to GCC for several years and have exported trials to the UK in the previous season, where they were sold at M&S. In the coming season we will increase volumes."

The largest markets for PICO are the UK, Germany and the rest of continental Europe. "The UK is our biggest market, but also a challenging one," affirms the commercial director. "That's why we attend the London Produce Show every year. This fair is only small, but it attracts visitors of a good level and it is important for us to meet our UK retail customers."

For more information:
Sara S. Salama
PICO
3, Shagaret El Dor St.
11211 Zamalek, Cairo, Egypte
Tel: (+202) 27371000
sara.salama@picoagriculture.com
www.picoagriculture.com