Blessed with an ideal warm climate, Egypt has emerged as a prominent hub of local production, proudly offering a multitude of seasonal agricultural fresh fruits and vegetables all year round.
The country’s extensive offerings include potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, beets, pomegranates, and mangoes, these make up only a few of the diverse array of products exported out of Egypt. However, one crop stands out among them all – the naturally sweet, highly nutritious, and extremely versatile Egyptian grapes.
A Taste of Excellence
Renowned for its exceptional quality, Egypt has cemented its position as a leading supplier of fresh table grapes, moving approximately 1.7 million tons annually, primarily to North Europe. This places Egypt sixth in the global grape exports, with the fruit ranking second only to citrus as one of the most widely spread fruit crop across the country.
In recent years, Egypt has seen a significant rise in table grape harvest and exports, driven by a remarkable increase in global demand. The extensive grape cultivation, spanning from Alexandria in the north to Aswan in the south, ensures a consistent availability of fresh table grapes across the country to various international markets in Europe, the Far East, and West Africa. This surge has motivated local producers to expand their harvests, focusing on high-quality varieties that align with consumer preferences and market demands.
The Egyptian grape season unfolds gradually as different varieties ripen. The Early Sweet, Superior Seedless and Flames kick off the season in May, maturing into sweeter delights by month’s end, followed by the harvest of mid-season cultivars between July and October.
From Field to Market: Egypt’s Key to Export Quality
One of the secrets to the success of the Egyptian Early Sweet variety is maintaining the perfect balance between high fruit quality and harvesting the fruit precisely at its peak sugar levels. This delicate balance, combined with relatively high yields, translates into a successful season for exporters.
While the seedless grapes continue to dominate the European markets, Egyptian growers remain committed to enhance their offerings and expand their market reach. It’s their expertise in cultivating these particular varieties that sets this sector apart. With a keen eye on evolving consumer preferences, growers are always adapting by transitioning toward higher-value cultivars tailored to diverse markets, which are expected to surprise consumers.
The vast availability of this top-quality fruit wouldn’t be possible without Egypt’s Mediterranean climate. However, extreme weather may impact the fresh crops from time to time. When it comes to Egyptian grapes, you never really know what the season brings. By collaborating closely with growers and obtaining updated forecasts well in advance, we can better prepare for whatever the season brings.
Maintain Your Cold Chain with ZIM
Like most fresh commodities, grapes are delicate fruits that are sensitive to temperature changes and demand exceptional care. From timely services, round-the-clock support, and a modern (and the youngest) refrigerated fleet, we make it a priority to safeguard your fruits’ quality and make this grape season a success. Explore some of the key advantages we provide:
- Our ZNI (ZIM North Europe) service connects Damietta directly to UK and North European destinations, providing an added value especially during the peak grape season.
- Cutting-edge reefer fleet: Our dedicated refrigerated units ensure that the most advanced equipment is readily available exactly where and when you need it.
- Round-the-clock support: From technical assistance to logistics guidance, our global network of dedicated reefer experts is available 24/7 to keep our cargo moving smoothly.
- Additional premium services include on-board/offshore technical support, equipment supervision and maintenance, and comprehensive remote tracking for your sensitive cargo.
- Optimal terminal operations: Minimize delays with flexible entry and exit of containers with no restrictions.
- Direct depot facilities: With external depot facilities strategically located along Egypt’s northern coasts and near the terminal ensure the timely flow of your cargo.
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