For many companies, the past year and a half have been downright difficult. There is less demand for products that were very popular before, while the demand for regional products is increasing. Sarwat Radwan, managing director of Germany's AKL Exofresh, says it is currently a very difficult time for Egyptian products. "However, Egyptian onions and sweet potatoes are still very popular. Only the red onions are difficult to sell because they are mainly bought by the catering industry and we are currently in the holiday period. Moreover, red onions are also being offered from the Netherlands."
Good demand, poor sales
However, the popularity of the products mentioned is not necessarily reflected in the sales figures. "For sweet potatoes, the US and South American countries are still our main competitors. The quality of our products is perfectly fine, but we have almost the same problem here as with onions. Currently, it is simply very difficult to sell them. However, we are trying to bridge the time until winter as best we can."
Sarwat says sweet potatoes are still nowhere near as popular as ware potatoes in Germany and that after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, customers would rather spend their money on holidays. "In 2019, trade was going very well, as sweet potatoes from the US were in short supply and Egyptian products were doing better. Covid has wiped out all that."
IFS certificate gives hope 
Sarwat is also currently pinning his hopes on the IFS certificate, with which he sees opportunities to sell his products to the major chains and food retailers, among others. "Our customers are all satisfied. There is now also a large supply from Egypt, because two years ago customers were very interested in these products and there was a lot of cultivation in Egypt to match," says Sarwat.
Jordanian dates and exotics from Egypt
Soon, however, Radwan will also be able to offer dates from Jordan, with which he hopes to achieve stable sales. He wants to promote the previously unknown products from Egypt more strongly. "Exotic products such as mangoes and guavas from Egypt are not yet very well known in Germany, as these fruits are mainly known from South America. Egyptian mangoes may not look particularly good, but they have a strong taste and a good aroma," Radwan concludes.
For more information: 
AKL Exofresh GmbH
Sarwat Radwan
Mallinckrodtstrasse 320
44147 Dortmund
Tel: +49 (0) 231 99 36 70 74
M: +49 (0) 1735651237
Fax +49 231 22 58 28 76
[email protected]
www.aklexofresh.de
