Agrexco, Israel’s primary exporter of fresh produce, expects to export nearly 76,000 tonnes of vegetables this season and plans to increase the category significantly in the near future.
The first half of the season, which started in September 2003, points to "very good business results, in view of good market conditions in Europe and the strong euro, which increased growers’ incomes," according to Uzi Kuris, manager of the company’s vegetable division.
Many growers in Israel are switching from growing flowers or from growing for the local market, to cultivating a wide range of vegetables exclusively for export. As a result, Agrexco estimates that rise by 20 per cent next season, "and in larger quantities in the next few years," said Kuris.
The move to vegetable growing is particularly evident in the Negev and Arava desert regions, areas with excellent climatic conditions for growing vegetables, especially in the winter.
Exports of capsicum this season are expected to reach 26,000 tonnes including 2,000t of organic capsicum; 10,000t of tomatoes - including cherry, on-the-vine, cocktail and round tomatoes; 12,000t of Galia melons and 700t of Charentais melons; 840t of Carmel strawberries (in addition to 1,503t of Palestinian-grown strawberries, marketed in Europe by Agrexco under the Coral brand); 6,000t of fresh herbs; 1,500t of sweetcorn; 4,000t of celery and Chinese leaves; 2,500t of radishes; 4,500t of sweet potatoes; and 6,500t of organic vegetables. In addition, the company's potatoes and roots Division will export 100,000t of potatoes this season.
Most Agrexco growers have already attained EurepGAP accreditation. Expansion of produdction areas for vegetables-for-export is made possible by the encouragement of the ministry of agriculture and promoted by Agrexco. "In order to meet the requirements by the chains, we help farmers invest in new packhouses, as well as enabling them to apply modern technologies aimed at preserving the freshness and quality of fresh produce," said Kuris."
As for next season, Agrexco plans to export 30,000t of capsicum, 14,000t of melons, 12,000t of tomatoes, and nearly 7,000t of fresh herbs. Kuris Israeli capiscum is setting a record in Europe this season, in both volume and sales returns, in view of shortage in Europe.
Baby Maya is doing well in Europe and strong demand for the tasty, long shelf-life tomato has prompted Agrexco to try and double export volumes of thevariety next season, said Kuris.
Agrexco also has two new reefers - Carmel Ecofresh and Carmel Biotop. Carmel Ecofresh made her maiden voyage at the end of December 2003, and twin sister Carmel Biotop is scheduled to join in the weekly scheduled sailing from Ashdod to Marseilles from April. On their return trip, these vessels will call at the ports of Valencia and Genoa, to back-load cargo to Israel to keep costs of fresh produce transport low.
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