Strawberry growers in Egypt face major challenges. While climate change is limiting volumes, the cost of production is constantly on the rise.
Sherif Mosry, CEO of Promo Foods, says: "We are still striving to increase quantities compared with previous seasons in order to overcome the high costs. But on the other hand, climate change and rising temperatures make it difficult, if not impossible, to increase volumes significantly."
The grower continues: "Weather conditions are very difficult, which is affecting the phytosanitary situation due to high temperatures. This will harm crops in general."
The intensification of farming operations to cope with the difficult phytosanitary situation is leading to an increase in production costs, according to Morsy. "The cost of growing strawberries in Egypt this season is no less than US$9,000 per acre, so prices at the start of the season will be high, exceeding $8 per kilo."
In addition to the cost of farming operations, Morsy reports "increases in all cost centers." He explains, "Labor costs have gone up due to the increase in wages. Transportation and shipping costs are soaring, air freight is now over $2 per kilo."
"And above all, the price of seedlings and royalties is becoming very expensive, as they're paid in USD, due to the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound," Mosry concludes.
For more information:
Sherif Morsy
Promo Foods
Tel: +20 1005604152
Email: [email protected]