With just one month to go before the start of the Egyptian potato harvest, demand is already palpable, according to Mohammad Hassan, export manager at Al Gamal Plantix.
The exporter says, "Planting for the next season was completed three months ago, and we expect the first harvests by January 15 or 20 at the latest. The area under cultivation has increased again this year. There will be huge volumes from Egypt."
"Demand is also expected to be strong. Contracting is currently dynamic for the next season, with customers coming from Europe, especially Spain and the UK, and Arab countries."
Hassan also foresees an inevitable rise in prices. He explains, "Production costs continue to rise, including labor, energy, and agricultural inputs. Our prices will therefore rise by 20-25%."
The expansion of production volumes and demand concerns all varieties, according to Hassan. "We're talking about table potatoes, potatoes for French fries, and potato chips. In terms of varieties, we're talking about Sepunta, Mondial, Diamond, Hermes, Lady Rosetta, and Cara."
At Al Gamal, which is part of the Plantix Group, we're preparing a volume of 60 thousand tonnes for the next season all varieties combined, a 100% increase on the previous season," says Hassan.
Last season, in a global context of insufficient potato volumes, Egypt stood out as a stable source, Hassan said. "Last season, we exported potatoes mainly to Spain and the Netherlands, despite strong production in these countries, as well as to Eastern European and Balkan countries. Gulf markets such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait came second, followed by African markets. Small quantities of Egyptian potatoes were exported all over the place," he then declared.
"The potato market trend continues in the same pattern, with volumes below market needs in many parts of the world. Every increase in volumes from Egypt is welcomed at the international level," Hassan concludes.
For more information:
Mohamed Hassan
Algamal - Plantix
Tel +20 1062839734
Email: [email protected]