EastFruit reports a notable advancement for Egypt in the UK's mango and guava market, securing the ninth rank among the top suppliers – a first in its history. In 2023, Egypt's mango and guava exports to the UK surged to 2.8 thousand tons, marking a 55% increase from the prior year and nearly doubling the five-year average. To put this in perspective, back in 2018, Egypt was the nineteenth largest supplier with exports barely reaching 750 tons.
The UK has emerged as a key market for Egyptian mangoes and guavas, following Russia and several Middle Eastern nations. Saudi Arabia remains the premier importer, with Jordan, the UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, and Bahrain also featuring prominently. Remarkably, in 2023, the UK's imports of Egyptian mangoes surpassed the collective imports of all EU countries, signaling a burgeoning export trajectory.
Globally, the UK stands as the seventh-largest mango importer, with annual volumes between 70-80 thousand tons. This places it behind only the USA, China, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the UAE.
Brazil, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Pakistan, and the Netherlands lead as the top five mango suppliers to the UK, jointly contributing to approximately two-thirds of the market's annual supply. Egyptian mangoes primarily rival Brazilian offerings, with Brazil's peak season spanning September to December. Conversely, Peruvian mangoes and guavas grace the UK market from December to April, while the Dominican Republic and Pakistan supply from May to August.
Mangoes have yet to climb to the pinnacle of Egypt's export list, yet their production growth rate is among the highest in the fruit and vegetable sector. The exported varieties differ markedly from those for domestic consumption, which are celebrated for their distinctive flavor, aroma, and sweetness but are less suited for prolonged storage.
Source: east-fruit.com