The annual change of season for spring onions is now approaching: "The first Egyptian spring onions are already on offer and we also expect the first deliveries to arrive at the end of the month, around 1-2 weeks earlier than usual," reports Sarwat Radwan, spring onion importer and managing director of AKL ExoFresh GmbH, based in Dortmund, Germany. "To my knowledge, there is sufficient supply, and it is being traded at a significantly lower price than the German product, so many buyers already want to switch to imported goods. Nevertheless, German goods are still being offered in relatively large quantities, so the entry-level prices will in any case be below last year's level."
© AKL Exofresh GmbH
In addition to regular ship cargo, there is a new type of sea freight this year, in which the goods are loaded onto the ship by truck immediately after harvest instead of into a container. This means that the goods ultimately reach the customer up to 1-2 days faster and in a fresher condition. Radwan: "This service is certainly more expensive than regular sea freight, but there will certainly be certain customers who are willing to pay the extra cost." In the spring onion sector, a distinction is usually made between two product groups, namely shorter lengths, which are primarily sold to food retailers, and longer lengths, which are particularly popular on the German wholesale markets, the Egypt specialist continues.
Apart from the first and last phases of the season, when Egypt competes with German produce, competition on the European market is fairly manageable. "Depending on the weather and market conditions, spring onions of Egyptian origin are offered well into March. Interestingly, Italy is also increasingly relying on Egyptian imports, which are re-exported to other European countries due to the short transport distances to the origin and sales market." In general, spring onions are still considered an export hit for the Egyptian fresh produce industry. "There are many new entrants every year, but many also stop, so the total export volume remains roughly stable. Within the EU in particular, Germany remains one of the most attractive sales markets."
© AKL Exofresh GmbH
Sweet potatoes and strawberries
In the shadow of the start of the spring onion season, the Egyptian sweet potato campaign is now in its second half. "I would describe the current demand as slightly below average, but this could change again soon. We still have a few months of sales ahead of us, as the sweet potato season does not normally end until March/April. We are also gradually preparing for the upcoming strawberry season and expect the first deliveries of air freight to arrive at the beginning of December," he concludes.
© AKL Exofresh GmbH
Sweet potatoes of Egyptian origin
For more information:
Sarwat Radwan
AKL ExoFresh GmbH
Mallinckrodt Str. 320
44147 Dortmund
Tel: +49 (0) 231 / 993 670 74
Fax: +49 (0) 231 / 225 228 76
Mobile +49 (0) 173 / 565 123 7
[email protected]
www.aklexofresh.de
