It’s still not any easier to export produce from Europe to Egypt, says Mohamed Marawan, owner of Polish apple exporter Sarafruit: “The current situation when it comes to being able to export produce to Egypt hasn’t changed much since last year. The importer is able to use the money that they receive from exports to import produce themselves. However, this isn’t really a solid solution, as there are many importers that do not export any produce from Egypt at all, so this doesn’t work for them at all.”
As a result of the added difficulties of exporting produce to Egypt, as well as the other issues present in the world right now, some exporters and growers have decided to quit the business, Marawan explains to FreshPlaza. “The situation has had dire consequences. Many traders and even farmers who were in the trade with Egypt have left the business altogether, as the difficulties started stacking up. Not only due to being unable to ship to Egypt, but also with the difficulties of exporting to India and the Middle-East in mind. Getting your payments is problematic and there’s also a very long transit time, shipping to Asia.”
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Marawan feels there is a lot of uncertainty for Polish apple traders that depended on Egypt as a market if the situation remains the same: “It’s difficult to say what the impact will be if this situation continues on. We still don’t know what amount and what quality of apples will be available in the new season, since the spring frost has done some damages in orchards. Meanwhile, on the other side the situation in Egypt has still not changed and we don’t know if we will find a place to export to that works with our prices. Prices in Poland are growing and at the same time, new countries are starting to show up with their apples, with a competitive offer. We will see who Egyptian clients will decide to purchase their apples from.”
“Polish apple traders should try to find others doors to open and develop with new clients in EU, Middle East, India or South America, searching new markets. It should be generally constant work for advertising and promoting the Polish fruit productions. Polish fruits are delicious and good quality and we should let the whole world know what Polish brand fruits mean by that,” Marawan concludes.
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