POTATO production in Egypt has been prolific this season.
While demand was slow in January, market pick-up after March greatly improved according to Export Manager of the Plantix Group, Mohammed Hassan.
“The start of the season was not good, especially in European markets. We noticed a slower than usual demand,” he said in an interview with Fresh Plaza. “The situation changed in March with a pick-up in demand in many parts of the world. Our exports to countries like Greece and Italy are currently dynamic, as well as in African markets.”
Egyptian exporters have reported that international buyers have increased their orders for Egyptian potatoes, particularly Russia, which is experiencing domestic supply problems.
This was reflected in prices. Because of the abundance of production, the season began with lower prices than last season, and improved thereafter, without exceeding the price threshold of the 2024 season, according to Hassan.
“We’re still struggling to export to key markets. In Spain, for example, the volumes we manage to send are very low compared to last season due to restrictions,” Hassan adds.
The Egyptian potato season typically continues until June, with exports extended until October thanks to cold storage.
Source: Fresh Plaza Photo: James Hills
