The Egyptian table grapes season is fast approaching, and early varieties will be available from the beginning of May. Louay Elkout, co-founder of the Egyptian Growers Organization, reports on preparations for the campaign.
© Egyptian Growers
The early start to the campaign offers Egyptian growers a commercial window while the competition is still quiet, but this is not yet an easy matter due to the weather conditions. Elkout explains, "With the drastic change in weather conditions we've experienced, many growers have made the difficult decision to spray doramex earlier than the usual dates in the hope of escaping the severe cold during bud break, which has caused many problems for these vineyards, such as cluster abortion, resulting in lower production on these plots."
"In addition, red seedless varieties are also affected by our weather conditions, and a shortage is expected at the start of the season. That said, we expect the season to start more or less the same as last year, with some harvests arriving earlier but with smaller volumes", the grower continues.
According to Elkout, growers are also focusing on the mid-season to make up for a lack of volume last year. He adds: "We estimate that our peak will be between weeks 19 and 25, with a slowdown during weeks 23 and 24 due to the Eid el Adha holiday. Last year, we noticed a shortage of white grapes at mid-season, in weeks 23 and 24. That's why most growers plant more white varieties to continue the mid-season into June and beyond."
"We're seeing an expansion in cultivated areas for all varieties over the last three years. Growers are also focusing on extending their season with all the new varieties in order to continue exporting in the late season to alternative markets such as the Far East and Africa," concludes Elkout.
For more information:
Louay Elkout
Egyptian Growers Organization
Tel : +20 100 110 0003
Email: [email protected]
