The import of Egyptian grapes for further distribution is about to get started, says Mariya Dermendzhieva, CEO of Bulgarian fresh produce trader Triland: “As the Egyptian citrus season reached its expected early end, we’re now focused on the grape season, which is knocking at our door. The indication for the grape season is all positive for now. The weather was favourable during blooming, and so we expect strong fruits with volumes exceeding those of the previous season. We expect the harvest period to be similar to last year. Our earliest partner will start harvesting Prime grapes around the 5th of May, and Flame and Star Light grapes will be harvested about ten days later. We’ll reach full capacity of the early cultivars around the 20th of May, when we will operate from all our farms.”

Dermendzhieva is happy to state that they’ll start exporting grapes of five new varieties this season, which are in high demand in the Far East. “We are truly excited, because this year we’ll have the first export volumes of some of our newly planted varieties: Ivory, Timson, Allison, Firestar, and Autumn Pearl grapes. This will help us continue and enrich our relationship with our partners in the Far East, where the interest in these new varieties is strong. For the 2026 season, we’ll have five additional new varieties that will make our clients happy and help them cover the demand of their clients as well. Our partner-farms are working proactively to replace the old, sensitive varieties with new, better ones, and we support them with a stable market to sell the grapes to.”

Overall, export to the European market will be the initial focus of Triland, Dermendzhieva explains: “The expectations for the European market are good and so is the demand. We expect that most shipments in May, up until mid-June, shall be directed to the European market. For the shipments in May, prices shall be relatively high and stable, but expectations are that when European grape crops start to be marketed, the price for Egyptian grapes will start decreasing. This is a process that happens every year, so no surprises there. During this period, we start to increase the volumes that we ship to our clients in the Far East, where prices will be lower than in Europe, but more stable. Especially for the late varieties, such as Crimson, Autumn Royal, Ivory, and Timson.”

There will be heavy competition with the Chinese grapes, as they have a very large harvest this year. “The biggest challenge in the Far East is the early and massive Chinese grape harvest this season. Chinese grapes have already been quoted, and the first departures start in ten days from now. Traditionally, leading up to June, the Chinese grape prices will reach their lowest levels, which will affect the Egyptian prices as well. But this is how the market works as it regulates the prices. We are well aware of that and are prepared with our strategy for this season,” Dermendzhieva concludes.

For more information:
Mariya Dermendzhieva
Triland JSC
Tel: +359 89 850 2797
Email: [email protected]