The promotion of the fresh Barhi dates from Egyptian origin is going on for nearly a two weeks. “The season kicked off a little later than normal this year. We are now completing several air freight shipment. Air freight cost just two dollars more over sea-based freight. With a sensitive item like fresh dates we’d prefer to be secure, and that’s the reason we use only air freight” states Sarwat Radwan (r), Egypt specialist and the Managing Director at AKL Exofresh GmbH, based in Dortmund.

The fresh dates can be described as a seasonally-based food item of the highest quality and are generally available through specialist retailers up to mid-October. They are not as plentiful as dried counterparts however it is a smaller market segment Radwan adds. “Fresh dates are almost entirely found in Egypt during this time of the year. Therefore, we’re the only ones to beat us in this regard. However, the variety of purchasers is similar with dried dates. While the fruit that is fresh is advertised and sold across many European nations, including Germany, Scandinavia or France but the use of it is restricted to ethnic consumers. Because they are offered at a lesser frequency in grocery stores, it’s hard to get new customers to this product.”

AKL ExoFresh GmbH has been involved in the importation as well as distribution Egyptian Barhi dates since mid-September.

Insistency to purchase

Then, the rise in inflation and consequent decline in purchasing power are still having consequences for business. Radwan: “There is a absence of a desire to buy that is reflected by the prices of unique products like fresh dates. Demand is high, i.e. the people who always sell the items will continue to sell them. But the number of fruits consumed per person is considerably less than previous years. Similar results were observed at the end of the season in the market for Egyptian fruit.”

Growing market share Medjoul dates

In addition to the dates that are fresh along with the dates, the first dried fruits of the newly harvested harvest has already hit the markets. The primary variety of fruit export from Egyptian cultivation is the typical Medjoul type. “The Egyptian export volume is steadily increasing because of expanding the region. In the next few months, Egypt will probably have an impressive market part. But, quantities are enough to manage and that’s why it is necessary to buy products from different countries during the Ramadan month of March.” Radwan explains.

The importer is also working with sweet potatoes as well as spring onions that are of Egyptian origin. “The sweet potato harvest has been picking up pace after a slow start. The first spring onions that have flown into the market are being sold in a few places, however we’re holding off to a certain extent as there’s ample German product readily available. We anticipate being able to sell the first flown-in items by the end October.” He says.

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Sarwat Radwan

ACL ExoFresh GmbH

Mallinckrodt Str. 320

44147 Dortmund

Telephone: +49 (0) 231 / 993 670 74

Fax: +49 (0) 231 / 225 228 76

Mobile +49 (0) 173 / 565 123 7

e-mail: [email protected]

www.aklexofresh.de