The table grape harvest is underway in Egypt and the season looks set to be a good one, both in terms of production and marketing, according to Salem Ghonim, consultant to several Egyptian grape growers.
Ghonim: "We are at peak harvest for some early white varieties, such as Prime, Early Sweet, and Superior grown under plastic covers. We are pleased to report very good quality, size, and color, as well as stable or even higher volumes than last season."
While the Egyptian citrus sector has been hit hard by the Red Sea crisis, the grape sector will be benefiting from it. If Egyptian citrus producers have been cut off from their markets in Asia, the crisis has also cut Asian grape producers off from the European market, opening new opportunities for Egyptian exporters.
Ghonim says, "India is having a lot of trouble supplying the European market because of the Red Sea crisis, which leaves a gap in the market and high demand for Egyptian grapes. We're already noticing this demand at the very start of the season, and it heralds more exports this year, especially for white varieties."
"That adds up to the usual unabated demand from Arab countries and Russia. So in terms of both demand and production, we don't have many worries this season," continues Ghonim.
Prices for Egyptian grapes at the start of the season have risen slightly, according to Ghonim. He reassures: "Farm gate prices are up on last season reaching 1-1.25 USD/kg, but this increase will not necessarily be reflected in export prices, or only moderately, thanks to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound."
For more information:
Salem Ghonim
Tel: +20 127 705 1153
Email: [email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/salem-ghonim-9506a0159