"Egyptian strawberry season increasingly short and concentrated"

The season of Egyptian strawberries is already almost over. What is striking is that the season is becoming shorter every year," says Alain Tulpin of the Tulpin Group, the fruit and vegetable company that mainly transports strawberries. He indicates that there are still some volumes of Egyptian strawberries going to England. "Egypt entered this season very heavily and the plants cannot continue to give," he concludes.

Increasing volume
Ten years ago the Egyptian strawberry season would run until mid March, but it has ended a little earlier every year. "Spain too, brings out earlier varieties each year. Morocco is also starting their season now." He indicates that a lot of European importers choose Spain when it comes on the market. "They have been receiving Spanish vegetables all year and when that seller also has strawberries they immediately take them into their assortment. The country that continues with Egypt the longest is England." Alain says that despite the season becoming shorter, the volume of Egyptian strawberries is increasing each year. "The period is becoming shorter, but more concentrated. It used to be the 20th of November until mid March. In recent years you can't get any after the 15th of February." He says that Israel is doing less volumes. "Around five years ago there was still 1.5 million kilos arriving. This year only 22,000 kilos went to the EU. Israel is focusing less on the strawberry cultivation and more on the vegetable cultivation."

He says the Egyptian season went well this year. "I feel the growers can't complain. 60% was sold before the holidays and that is the best paying time of the year." When asked whether the Egyptian season will be even shorter over the next few years, he replies positively. "In normal circumstances I expect a growth in volume in a shorter period."

For more information:
Alain Tulpin
Tulpin Group
tulpingroup@skynet.be
www.tulpingroup.eu
Tel: +32 59 80 66 33