Climate change and geopolitical tensions dictate the pace of the agricultural season in Egypt, as well as trade flows. Nihal Abdel Ghaffar, founder and commercial director of Accretive Co for Agriculture (Atfa), tells how she adapts to these unpredictable times.
"At Atfa, we grow Barhi dates and fresh mangoes. And like all Egyptian producers, the increasingly hot temperatures and the crisis in the Red Sea mean that we have to be constantly adapting at every stage of our work, from choosing which crops to plant, through our farming operations, to delivering produce to our customers," explains Nihal.
The producer explains: "Climate change is certainly a challenge. Generally speaking, the weather is getting warmer this year. Warm weather is good for date palms and Barhi dates but it poses problems for mango trees, particularly if the hot wind blows during the flowering period. We try to combat the effects of hot weather by covering the fruit and using other types of protection. However, the sustainability of these practices is questionable, and we may have to abandon some traditional varieties and grow others that can survive a warmer climate".
Nihal adds: "The Red Sea crisis is also consequential. It has led me to postpone actively marketing for Asia, which is a substantial market."
The producer, who participated as an exhibitor at the last edition of Fruit Logistica, says she is targeting Europe and North America for her date sector. "The fruit isn't very well known there yet. However, I've noticed that more and more people are willing to try new fruits and that demand is increasing year on year. When fresh dates arrive on the market, they are generally appreciated by European consumers, not just those of Middle Eastern origin. Demand from the UK is lower than expected, but we are working hard to attract new customers."
"Bearing in mind the realities we face, we have decided to diversify our product catalog," Says Nihal. She concludes, "The next step for Atfa is to expand into other Egyptian fruits with the same commitment to quality. We want to extend our operations to grapes, other varieties of mango, and strawberries. In the fresh dates business, we are constantly looking to extend their shelf life and maximize the value of the crop."
For more information:
Nihal Abdel Ghaffar
Accretive Co for agriculture (Atfa)
Tel: +201001914191
Email: nihalghaffar@atfaegypt.com
www.atfaegypt.com