Mirosław Maliszewski, a Member of the Polish Parliament and President of the Polish Fruit Growers Association disclosed that during the 2022/2023 season, Egypt imported about 158,754 tons of European apples, with a total value of €71.785m. This insight came during a conference by the "Time for European Apples" campaign, where Maliszzewski pointed out the Middle East's growing role in the EU fruit market, with Egypt being a key recipient of European apples, indicating a surge in demand.
Poland emerged as the top exporter to Egypt, contributing 37.7% to the value of these imports, equating to €31.819m for 76,907 tons of apples. Italy and Greece followed, with exports valued at €27.387m and €11.244m, respectively. Hungary and Austria also contributed to the trade, albeit on a smaller scale.
With Poland, Italy, and France leading in apple production within the EU, Poland notably secures a top position globally, with its production exceeding 3.8 million tons. Italy and France also maintain substantial outputs, surpassing 2.2 million and 1.8 million tons, respectively. Poland's role as Egypt's principal apple supplier underscores the significant trade relationships within this sector among European nations.
Maliszewski further touched on the competitive edge of European apples in global markets and the challenges confronting the fruit industry, including global trade shifts and the push for sustainable agriculture. He highlighted the impact of climate change and environmental regulations on farming practices, stressing the sector's move towards innovative technologies and sustainable production methods to uphold high-quality standards.
Source: Daily News Egypt