The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Egypt reported an increase in agricultural exports to 5.2 million tons for the first half of the year. Citrus fruits and potatoes dominated the export portfolio, with exports reaching approximately 1.8 million and 1.2 million tons, respectively.
The Central Administration for Agricultural Quarantine released these figures to Minister Alaa Farouk. The ministry emphasized the continued relevance of citrus and potatoes as export staples due to their acknowledged quality.
Additional exports comprised 168,000 tons of fresh onions, 136,000 tons of fresh and dry beans, and 103,000 tons of sweet potatoes. Exports also included other fruits and vegetables like grapes, strawberries, garlic, tomatoes, guavas, and pomegranates.
Minister Farouk highlighted efforts to solidify Egypt's role as a regional hub for agricultural exports, citing the application of stringent quality and food safety standards. This approach aims to penetrate new markets and enhance global trust in Egyptian produce.
Efforts to bolster the competitive edge of Egyptian exports involve support for exporters and the removal of obstacles, with agriculture playing a salient role in economic contributions and development goals. Farouk acknowledged the joint efforts of farmers, producers, and exporters committed to quality production.
The minister recognized the contributions from agricultural engineers, the agricultural quarantine authorities, and central reference labs in quality assurance, as well as foreign relations efforts to access new markets. Monitoring the process from farm to international markets remains pivotal, according to Farouk.
Continuous development and monitoring are encouraged, as are supportive measures for producers to advance the export sector and uphold the quality of Egyptian produce.
Source: Daily News Egypt