Egyptian growers are preparing for the upcoming strawberry season, which begins in November, amid climate and budgetary pressures. Yet, Egypt's strawberry industry continues to attract growers and expand its acreage. Elsayed Elgohary, owner of Marvel Farm, describes the atmosphere as preparations for the upcoming season are in full swing.
© Elsayed Elgohary
The grower states: "Climatic conditions are becoming increasingly difficult and require intensive farming operations, which increase our costs and shorten the strawberry season. However, some regions are faring better than others, and we currently see an acreage expansion across the country despite these challenges."
"This season again, I think we will have to deal with difficult weather conditions and an increase in all our expenses, whether it be labor, equipment and tools, treatment products, or other items. On the other hand, I don't think prices will reflect the cost given the increase in cultivated area and therefore supply," Elgohary continues.
Last season, Egyptian producers and exporters attempted to impose price increases for fresh strawberries at the beginning of the season, but the markets did not follow suit. Elgohary explains: "We managed to obtain higher prices at the beginning of last season, but prices then collapsed for a long part of the campaign before rising again towards the end of the season. It all depends on the quantity of strawberries on the market, which has little regard for the increase in our production costs. That's the law of the market. In any case, average prices for the season were satisfactory, especially when frozen strawberry exports are taken into account."
© Elsayed Elgohary
Indeed, last season, the fresh strawberry export campaign was very short, and growers and exporters turned to freezing very early on as prices of fresh strawberries on the international market were insufficient for them. Elgohary comments, "The export standards for fresh strawberries are demanding and are not sufficiently rewarded in terms of price, and many producers prefer to turn to freezing. Egypt is close to reaching the 500,000-tonnes mark for frozen strawberries exported in a single season, compared to 50,000 tonnes of fresh strawberries."
"For my part, I want to continue exporting fresh strawberries as usual, from November to March. I have long-standing customers that I don't want to lose, and I grow high-quality strawberries that are appreciated by my customers and consumers in several European and Arab countries. I will not go so far as to increase my acreage for next season, as I believe prices will remain under pressure due to very high supply," the grower concludes.
For more information:
Elsayed Elgohary
Marvel Farm
Tel: +201002496633
Email: [email protected]
