The Egyptian orange industry is set for a strong year, according to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) GAIN report put together by FAS Cairo.
For marketing year 2017/18, Egypt is set to see volumes climb six per cent to 3.18m tonnes, boosted by an increase in production to growth in the total area harvested due to improved weather conditions, as well as an increase in the number of new fruit bearing trees.
FAS Cairo forecasts total exports to increase by five per cent to reach 1.6m tonnes for 2017/18, rising from 1.52m tonnes in 2016/17.
Growth is attributed to higher demand from import markets due to the competitive prices that are expected to continue as a result of the devaluation of the Egyptian currency.
'The demand for Egyptian oranges in the local and international markets has increased significantly in the last ten years,' the report explained. 'The continuing efforts by the government and private sector in gaining market access for Egyptian oranges in new markets, and the devaluation of the Egyptian pound have resulted in higher international demand for Egyptian oranges.'
In 2016/17, the leading export markets for Egyptian oranges included Russia, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, China, UAE, Bangladesh, UK, Kuwait, Iraq and Ukraine.
According to the USDA, Russia and Saudi Arabia continued to absorb roughly 43 per cent of Egypt’s total orange exports, with these key export destinations set to remain unchanged for the upcoming season.
