Although acreage for garlic in Egypt has increased, the yield has not increased in a similar fashion, says Ahmed Adel, CEO of Egyptian garlic exporter Global Veg Egy: "The acreage for garlic in Egypt has seen an increase this year, growing about 20 to 25 per cent compared to last year. However, we can't say just yet whether this will actually result in more yield this year. There are many factors that affect the yield other than the actual acreage, such as the weather conditions and the location of the fields."
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According to Adel, the weather can mostly be blamed for the lower yield of garlic this season. "The weather hasn't been good enough for the garlic this season, because it has stayed warm in both November and December, which had a negative impact on the cultivation of garlic in certain areas. Demand at this time of the year is normal, similar to how it was last year around this time. Demand may have started a little earlier this year, but it hasn't been too high. Sizes are still small as of now, as we're doing white and purple garlic, with sizes of 40+ for both products."
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Adel emphasizes that they would love to move into new markets this season, in order to not sell to the competitors of their current clients: "It remains a positive challenge to be able to increase our sales to our existing customers, while still supplying the correct quality in combination with the acceptable price. Meanwhile, we also still push to enter new markets in which we do not have any clients just yet. This also helps our existing customers, as our new clients would not be competing against our current ones."
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Although not everything is set in stone just yet, Adel is thankful for the efforts the growers in Egypt have made this season. "It's hard to make solid predictions for the season at this point, but I do hope we'll be able to increase our sales and exports overall, including to newer markets. I also really want to thank our farmers who have given their very best this season, in order to get these very promising results. Unfortunately, the weather made it more difficult for them, but nobody can accuse them of a lack of effort this year!"
For more information:
Ahmed Adel
Global Veg Egy
Tel: +20 112 668 44 94
Email: [email protected]
www.globalvegy.com
