In Egypt, grape harvest season begins in May and ends in September. Grapes are one of the most widely grown fruit crops across the nation, second only to citrus. The grape cultivation is spread geographically from Alexandria in the north to Aswan in the south, which prolongs the availability of fresh table grapes.
In recent years, Egypt witnessed a notable increase in growing and exporting table grapes as the global demand for its high quality fruit has been rising remarkably.
Mohammed Mostafa, technical manager of a family owned company specializing in growing and exporting fruits and vegetables, said: "We have punctually and reliably exported to Europe certified table grapes since 2002.” His company exports 3,000-3,500 tons of table grapes to Europe annually, pointing out the produce is increasing notably in recent years.
The grape-growing area in Egypt is about 840 km2, with total production of about 1.7 million tons per year. Grape exports in Egypt hit 18,106 tons from January to the end of May this year, compared to 16,187 tons during the corresponding period of last year, an increase of over 10 percent, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.
As reported on globaltimes.cn¸ the increase of grape farms in Egypt is not only a grace for business owners, but also a source of a stable income for hundreds of workers who mainly live in nearby villages.
