Oranges are the citrus fruit category where Egypt has become a power of monumental proportions. This year it will produce around 3.7 million tonnes, a figure that is 5% higher than last year. And in the ‘soft citrus’ fruit category they are also leaving their mark. This year, their figure will be 1.3 million tonnes, with a two-digit growth figure.
Orange growing surface area is increasing at a rate of knots, and it won’t stop over the next few years as the country has extensive agricultural expansion programmes along the Banks of the River Nile. Over the next few years, 10,000,000 new trees will start producing. “We are facing up to a tough competitor, which is not a one-off, but rather a permanent rival. It is completely inexplicable that Egypt is playing within the European setting with some plant protection advantages that Europe does not allow for its own productions. It is totally senseless and the European authorities must take a decision,” sources consulted in the sector comment.
During the 2022-23 campaign, orange exports increased by 30% and represented around 85% of the total crop area. The Washington Navel is the main variety from the Navel group. There are also others such as Navelate, Cara Cara, New Hall, Navelina, Fisher, Leng, Fukumoto, and Lane Late. Valencia holds the second place after the Navels in terms of area under cultivation and it represents 80% of the oranges exported.
During the 2021-22 campaign, orange exports represented 83.2% of total sales. The rest were mandarins (10%), lemons (5.8%) and grapefruit (1%).
With the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and the standardised cost of marine shipping, the competitive situation of the Egyptian offer has ostensibly improved on the international markets.
The official start of the campaign, scheduled for the 15th of December, has been brought forward to the 5th of December, a decision taken by the Agricultural Export Council and that is justified by the improvement in weather conditions.
Unlike last year, this season is full of large calibres, but smaller fruit are also available, although in a smaller amount than last season.
This year, the number of packaging centres has increased by virtually 30%, and the Egyptian authorities has taken action to ensure there is fluidity in the ports.
Egyptian production is early in a context of a drop in quality and volumes on the world market.
