The exports of this year's Greek apples to Egypt started at a good pace. Egypt is traditionally the most important market for Greek apples, absorbing, according to the latest complete official data of the Hellenic Statistical Authority, 62,73% of Greek exports in 2024.
© Euro Fruits
As Mr. Amer Elsherbiny, owner of the Greek importer & exporter Euro Fruits, mentions: "These first four weeks, the exports of apples to Egypt are going well. Let us emphasize first of all that this year there are no banking problems that plagued trade in previous years. The apples depart from the packing houses with prices from €0,80 to €1,10 per kilo, while the sizes requested are 60–80 millimeters, which are also generally the ones prevailing this year in the production of Agia. The domestic market for single-row packaging pays up to €1,30 per kilo."
However, Mr. Elsherbiny adds that with these prices, Greek apples will soon begin to face difficulties in being exported to Egypt: "Let us take the average selling price in Egypt, which is €0,95 departure from the packing house. With €0,25 expenses that the Egyptian importer has to add to this amount, we reach a price that is not welcome in the Egyptian consumer market. The harvest of Polish apples has started, and when in a few days they arrive in large quantities in Egypt, they will limit with their prices the margins of sales for Greek apples. At the same time, the Italian apples of the second quality category that are arriving these days in Egypt are equal to the first quality category of the Greek ones."
© Euro Fruits
As for the continuation of Greek production, Mr. Elsherbiny notes: "The harvest of Gala in Agia lasted only two weeks, yielded a 50% reduced crop, and from 15 September it will continue with the red varieties. At this period, harvest is being done in other areas, but everywhere we see significantly reduced production because of last spring's frost, and quality problems due to fungi."
In closing, the trader from Greece summarizes the situation as follows: "At this moment, sales abroad are being made because the market is still empty. In general, however, Greek apples are very expensive and few, and the season will be difficult when many apples from other countries enter the market."
For more information:
Amer Elsherbiny
Euro Fruits
Tel: +30 241 117 8984
Mob: +30 698 820 4025
Email: [email protected]
