EGYPT – Egypt continues to be a leading supplier of fresh strawberries to Southeast Asia despite a slight dip in exports for the 2023/24 season.
According to EastFruit, Egypt has solidified its position as the second-largest exporter of fresh strawberries to Malaysia and Singapore.
For the current season, Egypt’s fresh strawberry exports to Malaysia and Singapore are expected to exceed 1,500 tons. This figure is lower than the 1,700 tons recorded during the 2022/23 season but still significantly above the average export volumes over the past five years.
“Although we see a minor reduction in export volumes this year, our performance remains among the best in the history of our trade with these markets,” noted an industry spokesperson.
Malaysia and Singapore, though not the top global importers of fresh strawberries, present a market potential of 6,000 to 7,000 tons annually.
Since the 2018/19 season, the import of strawberries in these countries has increased by 25%, largely driven by Malaysia. Singapore’s growth in imports has been more gradual.
In contrast, Hong Kong leads Southeast Asia in strawberry imports but has seen a reduction of one-third in its imports since the 2018/19 season, totaling about 5,000 tons.
Singapore’s imports are expected to surpass 4,000 tons this season, while Malaysia’s should exceed 3,000 tons. Thailand is also making significant strides, with a 50% increase in strawberry imports since the 2018/19 season, reaching 3,000 tons.
Egypt’s primary presence is in Malaysia and Singapore, with limited engagement in Hong Kong and no experience in Thailand.
During the November to March period, Egyptian strawberries are crucial in these markets, although South Korea has surpassed Egypt in export volumes to Malaysia and Singapore at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Alongside Egypt and South Korea, other notable suppliers include Australia and the USA. Australian strawberries are available from August to November, while American strawberries are offered year-round, peaking from May to August. Japan also exports smaller quantities, targeting the premium market from December to May.
On August 7, detailed insights into the fruit, berry, and vegetable market in Southeast Asia will be presented during an online training session titled “Navigating the Southeast Asian Fruit & Vegetable Market: Opportunities for Egypt and Morocco.” Exporters can find more information and register through the provided link.
In addition to fresh strawberries, Egypt’s frozen strawberry exports reached approximately 120,000 metric tons in 2024, marking a 15% increase from the previous year.
The total export value for frozen strawberries hit USD 180 million, up from USD 156 million in 2023. Key markets for these exports include Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
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