The Egyptian sweet potato season is coming to an end, towards the end of January, except for a few companies that continue to export. Zayed Lahseen, CEO of Afrigoodgrow, one of the few still exporting, reports on the season's unfolding.
The season began with a sharp increase in acreage, particularly in the Damietta region, due to the good prices obtained for sweet potatoes last season, which led to an oversupply, according to Zayed. This situation has had an impact on prices, either upwards or downwards. The grower adds: "The start of the season in August began with very good prices, which then fell due to abundant volumes. The usual demand, from the Netherlands and the UK, was not high enough to absorb all these volumes, so prices fell. Between August and December, prices continued their waltz, to experience a second big drop in December."
"Today, while most Egyptian exporters have exhausted their stocks, and thanks also to the pickup in demand from the Netherlands and the UK, we are seeing prices improve. For example, the price of L1 size was 3.75 euros per box of 6 kg in December and has now risen to 5 euros, while the price of large sizes has risen from 4 euros to 5.5 euros."
Competition between Egyptian exporters was fierce, says Zayed. "But today most of them are out of the market, and only those with cooling and curing facilities are still able to export so late in the season. This is the case of AfriGoodGrow, which has made massive logistical investments and specialized in sensitive crops such as sweet potatoes and carrots", he continues. On the other hand, international competition worked in Egypt's favor during the season. Zayed explains: "The United States has different calendars to us. Spain has technical problems in the sweet potato sector, as well as a problem of profitability. Other competitors, such as Croatia and Portugal, have low volumes or very short seasons."
In terms of varieties, "the two most popular varieties remain unchallenged, Bellevue and Beauregard, although the former has enjoyed greater commercial success this season". Market choices are dictated in particular by importers in the Netherlands, the biggest customer for Egyptian sweet potatoes and a hub for re-export, followed by the UK and France, according to Zayed.
"After a season full of ups and downs, we are now working with peace of mind. Demand is outstripping supply, prices are improving and anticipated problems such as soft tips or mold are under control, and we have the capacity to supply good quality sweet potatoes until the end of the season. In the meantime, we are preparing for the carrot season, which has just begun", concludes Zayed.
For more information:
Zayed Lahseen
AfriGroodGrow
Tel: +420 739 019 060
Email: z.lasheen@afrigoodgrow.com
www.afrigoodgrow.com