No export ban on Egyptian grapes and strawberries

CAIRO - 18 July 2017: The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Small Industries has not decided to prevent the export of grapes and strawberries or any agricultural yields to external markets around the world, the ministry said on Tuesday.

A number of local media channels and newspapers have been reporting that the ministry had imposed a ban on exporting grapes and strawberries without explaining why.

The ministries of agriculture and trade issued a collaborative decision in May to put forth an integrated system that would organize both the production and export of Egyptian vegetables and fruits. This effort would guarantee that these exports are safe by ensuring their commitment to technical requirements such as the removal of pesticide residues, which caused a number of countries to impose a ban on some Egyptian yields in the past.

President of the Export Council for Agricultural Crops (EAC), Abdul Hamid Al Demerdash revealed that all exporters of the sector have received the new system, which had been applied since the beginning of this season’s grape and strawberry export period, and there have not been any violations or complaints of the exported shipments to countries in Southeast Asia, the Americas and Europe.

“Strawberry and pepper were added to exports list for coming exports season, tomatoes and guava are under study,” Al Demerdash added.

Al Demerdash said there is a coordination among the ministries of trade and industry, agriculture and the AEC to deploy missions to countries that have previously imposed a ban on some Egyptian agricultural products. This would allow for the review of the new exportation system and help identify the demands and requirements for the importation of agricultural yields.