Expected to close towards the end of November, the Egyptian mango season has been extended due to improved weather conditions and better control of fruit shelf life, according to Walid Sallam, quality and operations manager at MK Enterprise and researcher at Huazhong Agricultural University in China.
Walid told Freshplaza: "The good weather at the end of the season made it possible to extend the campaign until today, as some mango farms still have the acceptable quality for export within a short delivery time to our neighboring countries. We have also succeeded this season in shipping mangoes in long journeys of over 25 days - which is a long time in mango export - thanks to the scientific understanding of mango shelf life and ripening atmosphere, as well as the use of new methods delaying the ripening of mango fruits in refrigerated shipping containers."
"As we predicted, the quantities of mangoes exported far exceeded those of last year, confirming that the trend in Egyptian mango exports is increasing year on year. The mango campaign has been truly fruitful, with meticulous attention to quality and a commitment to stable supply. In the case of our company, we even worked in two shifts to keep up with the strong demand from different destinations.
According to the exporter, demand for Egyptian mangoes came from the world's major mango markets, such as Russia, England, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and more. He adds, "We had a distinct presence in these markets and the Egyptian origin convinced importers and consumers alike."
As for the most successful varieties this season, Walid explains: "This year, the E2R2 variety was wonderful in its quality, but its season ended earlier than last year. Naomi enjoyed good demand, particularly in the Gulf countries, which prefer its color and sugary taste. This year, we exported a rare cultivar called Nam Doc Mai, known for its ability to withstand long shipping times, its brilliant color and distinctive taste, but which cannot be supplied in large quantities. Taymour, Sideeka, and Oweesy were the best-selling varieties at the start of the season, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Now that volumes have run out, I can say that most mango varieties have been successful. Today, only the Keitt variety is still available for the last orders, thanks to its season's length and its commercial success."
The exporter emphasized the exporters' achievements in terms of technical know-how: "As the season draws to a close, we have learned valuable lessons from this mango campaign, contributing to the accumulation of experience year on year, as we are always on the lookout for new techniques and recently published papers to help develop the handling, packing, and shipping of mangoes. A good understanding of this industry is one of the main reasons for its sustainability in Egypt. These lessons will be integrated into our operations and quality standards, paving the way for significant growth in the years to come".
Walid Sallam
MK Enterprise for export
Tel: +2 01032167286 / +86 15623265182
Email: w.sallam@mkprise.com