Following the usual rush of exports two weeks before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, during which fresh products such as dates, melons or watermelons become popular, shipments are reported to be considerably lower at the moment for most fruit and vegetable trading companies, while prices show a growing trend.
In this regard, Walid Gaddas, of Alyssa Fruits, explains that “dates, for example, become more expensive for two reasons: first of all, demand is much higher than in any other season, and secondly, dates are harvested in November and sold in May/June and storage costs are higher after 6 or 7 months.”
While Tunisian date shipments also go to traditional destinations in Europe, such as Italy and Germany, for the Muslim communities living there, “the volumes sold in new markets in South East Asia, in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, continue to grow every year. In general, sales are on the rise because there is more production in Tunisia and demand is also increasing,” states Mr Gaddas.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, the situation is also said to be marked by growing demand, mostly for hydrating fruits, although experienced traders are prepared and try to offer the most competitive prices in order to curtail unreasonable price increases.
Ms Miratte Adel, of the Egyptian firm Belco, currently marketing grapes, green beans, spring onions and snow peas, affirms that “we don’t have many orders at the moment, because we are at the end of the season, but demand in the local market increases.” Prices in the local market tend to go up and this, she says, results in profitable sales; consequently, companies prepare to make sure they are able to cover the market’s needs.
Also in Egypt, Mohammed El Dosouky, of EGCT, currently working with grapes and onions and focused mostly on the Middle East, states that while reports point to higher costs for consumers, “we try to offer very competitive prices, because we understand the market conditions and try to offer a good cooperation, although while prices don’t increase, volumes certainly do.”
