Egyptian chili peppers arrive on the market at the end of August, taking advantage of a commercial window with little competition. Exporters hope to capitalize on seasonality to make a breakthrough in the European market, according to Mohamed Awwad, CEO of Al Awwad for Import and Export.
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The grower says, "Our peppers will be available from the last week of August to January. This early harvest was made possible by cultivation on the northern coast of the country, an alternative to the Delta region, where production is not yet available. This is a clear seasonal advantage, as there is a gap in the European market."
Egypt is not particularly renowned in the European market for its chili peppers, a situation that Awwad hopes to reverse. He argues, "Until recently, Egyptian chili peppers were not popular in Europe due to quality and pesticide residue issues, and we have inherited this common perception. However, I would like to emphasize that great progress has been made to remedy this situation. At Al Awwad, we have planted our own production and have complete control over compliance with European regulations."
© Youness Bensaid | FreshPlaza.com
"We have already made significant inroads into the European market recently, and our chili peppers are starting to gain a foothold in the Netherlands, Italy, and the UK. This season, we are seeing growing interest in France and Spain, as well as Eastern European countries and Canada," Awwad continues.
This season's harvest promises to deliver high-quality produce thanks to favorable weather conditions in the north of the country, according to the grower. He adds, "This season, we plant chili peppers on Egypt's northern coast, where summer conditions are ideal, making this region a unique alternative to the delta region, where we usually plant chili peppers and where cultivation is impossible during this period. Warm days, coastal breezes, and low humidity have favored healthy growth, while strict phytosanitary practices have helped protect crops from disease."
© Youness Bensaid | FreshPlaza.com
"Chili peppers from Egypt have the potential to be a commercial success in the European market, just like other fruits and vegetables our country is known for," Awwad concludes.
For more information:
Mohamed Awwad
Al Awwad for Import and Export
Tel: +201115555071
Email: [email protected]
www.alawwad-eg.com
