SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia has suspended strawberry imports, affecting various global markets, not just Egypt, as clarified by Saad Moussa, supervisor of Egypt’s Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ).
According to the administration, Saudi Arabia’s decision to stop importing strawberry crops from Egypt and other countries is a regulatory measure that aims to balance the supply and demand in the Kingdom’s internal market.
This decision, communicated through an official letter to Egypt, was confirmed to be a temporary measure and not related to quarantine or health concerns.
Earlier, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture announced a ban on strawberry imports from Egypt, stating that any shipments imported after January 24 would be rejected.
Moussa emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s decision applies universally, stating, “The reason behind such a decision is not for quarantine or health reasons.”
Importers with valid permits, including those from Egypt, will be able to resume shipments starting February 1, according to Moussa.
He also highlighted the ongoing vigilance of Mohamed El-Quseir, the Minister of Agriculture, in monitoring developments related to Egyptian agricultural exports.
In the broader context of Egypt’s food exports, the Food Expert Council (FEC) reported a significant overall growth of 14%, reaching a record USD 5.1 billion in 2023 compared to USD 4.5 billion the previous year. Notably, July saw a remarkable surge with a 64% increase in exports, reaching USD 487 million.
Arab countries emerged as the primary importers, constituting 54% of the total share and showing a 17% increase over the previous year, amounting to USD 2.7 billion.
The European Union maintained its position as the second-largest destination, importing 17% of Egypt’s food exports, valued at USD 884 million.
Non-Arab African countries also displayed robust demand, with food imports growing by 22% to $467 million.
Looking ahead, Hany Berzy, head of the FEC, announced Egypt’s goal to increase food exports by 10% in 2024, targeting USD 5.6 billion.
Berzy emphasized the council’s commitment to analyzing the global food industry sector to identify growth opportunities for Egyptian exports in international markets.
This positive trajectory in food exports aligns with Egypt’s broader economic goals. Notably, the country’s trade deficit declined by 16.6% year-on-year in October 2023, dropping to USD 3.15 billion from USD 3.78 billion in the same month of 2022, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
In summary, while the temporary Saudi strawberry import ban has created a ripple effect in global markets, Egypt’s overall food export sector demonstrates resilience and potential for continued growth in the coming year.
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