Egyptian mango harvest is gaining momentum after a challenging season this year due, particularly, to the severe weather. Walaa Elhabbal, the general manager at Overview Trading Company describes the current situation.
Walaa explained, “We had a difficult year last year because of the abrupt and abrupt variations in temperature, ranging between high temperatures in the daytime to low temperatures in the evening. Mango is a berry which is extremely susceptible to rapid thermal changes. The result was an increase in the yield of typical 200 tonnes per feddan, to just 120 tonnes.”
But, in this particular year, the productivity conditions are improving. According to the company: “The climatic problem persists however to a lesser degree the yield can be expected to rise to 160 to 180 tons.”
Egyptian mango manufacturing is being challenged by various other sources like India, Pakistan, Kenya as well as Tanzania. “This can be attributed to our sharing the same market with these countries, particularly the Gulf countries as well as southern Europe. For Saudi Arabia for example, one of our biggest markets, Pakistan is geographically closer and reduces the cost of their products.”
However, we are aware that customers from Saudi Arabia prefer Egyptian quality for the most part, because of its superior gustative and aesthetic qualities. We know the fact that Egyptian mango high-quality is better than our competitors and the moment we are on the market, our clients in the Gulf countries are drawn towards us.”
The decision to go with Egyptian quality can also be justification for its compliance to the “best manufacturing and marketing standards” According to Walaa: “We have all necessary certifications for the European market. They are also in line with the strictest standards of our clients in the golfing countries. We also always supply our fruit with high levels of pesticide residues, whether to be present in Europe or anywhere else.”
“Our late-season production, which includes export calendars that run from the month of the month of August through December helps us to be competitive in the marketplace when most other countries have halted their calendars. Also, we also have a diverse selection of varieties that includes around 20 varieties, including Kent and Yasmina that are directly from our production or from our producers who we pick from Egypt,” concludes the producer.
For further information
Walaa Elhabbal
Overview Trading Company
Tel: +20 150 146 4725
Email: walaa@overview-trading.com / walaa.overview@gmail.com
www.overview-trading.com
Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies