Egypt extends deadline for Dutch seed potato exports

EGYPT – The Egyptian Central Authority of Plant Quarantine has extended the deadline for Dutch seed potato shipments, pushing the original cutoff from December 1st, 2024, to December 23rd, 2024.

This extension offers Dutch exporters a chance to overcome last season’s challenges and potentially recover from significant losses.

Last year’s export window was severely shortened due to late production, which led to a marked decline in Dutch seed potato exports to Egypt.

The extension now provides a valuable opportunity for exporters to boost their shipments and address the high demand for quality Dutch seed potatoes in the Egyptian market.

“The new deadline offers us a chance to make up for the setbacks faced last season,” said a representative from the Dutch agricultural team. “We are prepared to provide updates and support to exporters as needed.”

While the deadline extension is a positive development for Dutch exporters, the Egyptian market is grappling with rising potato prices due to economic and environmental factors.

Potatoes are a staple in Egypt, and recent price increases have been driven by a combination of reduced supply and economic difficulties.

Hatem El-Nagib, Vice President of the Vegetables and Fruits Division at the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, highlighted that the potato price surge is a result of seed shortages and damage from extreme weather conditions.

“The shortage of seeds, compounded by high temperatures, has severely impacted yield rates,” El-Nagib explained.

The ongoing economic crisis in Egypt, characterized by high inflation and a weakening currency, has further exacerbated the situation.

A shortage of U.S. dollars has limited the country’s ability to import essential potato seeds, reducing seed quantity by about 25 percent.

This shortage, along with high temperatures, has caused yields to drop from 14-16 tons per acre in 2023 to 9-12 tons in 2024.

Local seeds, another critical source for planting, have also been less productive, with yields falling to 7-10 tons per acre.

This decline has led to a 35-40 percent decrease in market supply, pushing wholesale prices between EGP 19,000 and 23,000 per ton. Retail prices now range from EGP 30,000 (USD 609.42) to 35,000 (USD 710.99) per ton.

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