Official Egyptian export records reveal a 21% increase in the volume of citrus fruit exported this season compared to last. From September 2022 to June 2023, Egypt exported 1,623,955 tonnes, all varieties combined, at a value of 976,556,475 USD. Oranges accounted for the bulk of citrus exports, with 1,361,192 tonnes, up 22% from last season. To comment on these figures, we spoke to Eslam Gelila, CEO of exporter Gelila.
Gelila said: "Egyptian citrus fruits were in high demand last season, amid a worldwide shortage of citrus due to unfavorable weather conditions, drought, or floods affecting our competition in Spain, South Africa, and Morocco. In this context, Egypt stood out for its abundant, high-quality production. The success of the agricultural operations was in tandem with significant progress in packaging quality, logistics, and the modernization of packing houses. All these natural factors and the performance of producers and exporters enabled Egypt to achieve an all-time high season, both in terms of volumes and revenues."
Climatic conditions in competitor countries not only caused their poor performance in Egypt's favor but also a sharp increase in their imports of Egyptian citrus. Spanish imports of Egyptian oranges, for example, have risen from 25 tonnes last season to almost 90,000 tonnes this season.
Despite the fluctuation in prices, the official figures show the same revenue growth level compared to volumes, which is 21%. Gelila says: "Prices, in general, have been satisfactory despite highs and lows throughout the season. We were concerned about the abundance of small-sized fruits, but customers ultimately accepted them as there were no other alternatives on the market."
Egyptian citrus exports are approaching the billion-dollar mark, and it's not excluded that they will exceed this figure before the start of the next season. According to Gelila, "The campaign isn't over yet, and we're still exporting cold-stored produce. In any case, this figure will be exceeded next season".
According to Gelila, the acreage for next season will increase considerably: "Everything indicates that the general configuration of the citrus industry remains the same, both in terms of production, including climatic conditions, and in terms of marketing. Many investors are joining the sector, and new areas are being cultivated with citrus fruit, as well as other crops. Egypt is becoming the world's food basket, with a predominant role in producing the most needed crops worldwide. We're therefore seeing an increasing acreage of citrus, onions, potatoes, garlic, and others."
The exporter concludes: "At Gelila, we are honored to occupy the fourth place among over 700 Egyptian citrus exporters, with over 40,000 tons exported, 28% more than last year, and growing faster than the national average".
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For more information:
Eslam Gelila
Gelila
Tel. +20 100 000 4540
Email: [email protected]
www.gelila-eg.com
