"We need offices in the EU to protect against fraud"

The Egyptian government implemented a new export program last year to strengthen exports, ensuring that only quality products are sent to foreign markets. Despite this, Egyptian trader Moataz Darwish says that there are still international traders who might be taking advantage of the reputation that the country's fruit and vegetables are of lesser quality, for their own gains.

"We have quality products here in Egypt, just look at citrus for example, Egyptian oranges have a very good position in a very difficult market. Although the new government plan is a great way forward, we need to make sure that Egyptian exporters are also protected," Mr. Darwish explains.

"I recently came across a trader in the Netherlands who had requested a container of grapes and after the container was loaded he started mentioning quality issues before the receiving the cargo or the QC report, to get out of paying for the shipment. Unfortunately, these types of situations leave traders like myself with our hands tied and left with the costs. I could take the party to court, but once I go through that process I will end up with even more losses than just the one container. We need offices in the Netherlands and EU to protect producers against fraud.”

"I encourage producers to contact me if they would like more information about the situation that I just went through, so I can help warn them against fraudulent traders who are trying to take advantage of the current situation. Luckily, I have had a lot of good contacts in the Netherlands who are honest business people and have offered to help."

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