Egyptian exporter Pico has enjoyed a successful 12 months despite the political uncertainty surrounding the country, with the company expanding its grape, avocado and mango exports.
At February’s Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin, Pico will highlight this development, as well as the introduction of new grape varieties, including black seedless varieties that extend the season earlier and later.
As Sun World’s first licensee in Egypt, Pico has enlarged its offering to include new Sun World varieties, including Sable, Midnight Beauty and Red Superior.
The company equally experienced a second successful year exporting avocados and mangos to the UK, with managing director Hatem El Ezzawy seeing further potential in overseas markets.
“It is our second year exporting avocados and mangos to the UK and so far we are pleased with the feedback from the receivers and the quality upon arrival,” said El Ezzawy. “We believe that both crops have a good potential for export from Egypt.”
In addition, Pico will be showcasing other recent additions to its exotics basket, including pomegranates and lychees.
In strawberries, the exporter now has commercial volumes available of new varieties Red Merlin, Red Delight, Winter Star and Fortuna, while several other varieties are being trialled, as well as new raspberries and blackberries.
Such progression has required an ability to handle difficulties and challenges as they arose. A shortage of grapes in Pico’s traditional markets saw the company switch temporarily to airfreight to speed up deliveries, according to El Ezzawy.
Meanwhile, Pico’s strides in Asia continue. “Our market share in Asia is increasing and we want to work closer with Southeast Asian markets to satisfy them because, as regards varieties, their demands are often different from traditional markets,” concluded El Ezzawy.
