The Egyptian Medjool dates season started earlier than expected this year. Ramadan El Sayyad, an Egyptian Medjool producer and exporter, said: "We harvested 10 days earlier than initially anticipated, due to changes in the climate. The harvest will be completed by mid-September. From the first week of September, we will proceed with sorting, grading, and packaging, in order to offer our export programs from the second week of September until the month of Ramadan."
The Egyptian Medjool industry is developing rapidly, although not to its full potential. Ramadan explains: "This year, at Palm Hills Dates, we're harvesting over 2,000 tonnes, 50% more than last year. We could have produced much more, but we were held back by climatic conditions, such as the massive sandstorm that hit Egypt last June. Be that as it may, we're pleased with the level of growth we're currently achieving, which continues to increase year after year given the hype for Egyptian Medjool."
On a national level too, this year will see a considerable increase in Egyptian Medjool volumes, due to the general increase in cultivated areas and the arrival of new investors in the industry, according to Ramadan.
Weather conditions are also having an impact on sizes, adds the producer, "sizes have not been as expected this year, with an absence of jumbo and super-jumbo dates. But for the sizes available, we're seeing an improvement in quality and shelf life expectancy compared with the previous season. That's precisely why we harvested earlier than usual, as a control measure to ensure better quality. We accompanied this with an improvement in the quality of our packaging".
The start of the current season is also marked by new commercial developments. Amid a booming Medjool industry, many new players have entered the sector this year. "This announces fierce competition, but also speculative behavior on the part of players who have joined the sector out of opportunism. The common belief is that Medjool is more profitable than other fresh produce, and with the arrival of new traders, producers are likely to raise their prices, leading to artificial inflation," said Ramadan.
The producer concludes, "New operators will inevitably face the reality of the market, as there are global price standards. Even if there is strong international demand for Egyptian Medjool, this does not justify artificial price inflation or speculative behavior. My advice to exporters and producers alike is to be careful about the prices they offer. At Palm Hills Dates, we are fortunate to have achieved a long-time integration, since we are both producer and exporter, which allows us not only to control quality but also to be spared the commercial hazards of the market."
For more information:
Ramadan El Sayyad
Palm Hills Dates
Tel: +20 102 008 4117
Email: [email protected]
www.palmhillsdates.com
