Surge in potato prices hits Egyptian market

EGYPT – Potato prices in Egypt have surged, causing concern among consumers and traders with prices ranging from EGP 13.5 (USD 0.27) to EGP 18.5 (USD 0.38) per kilo at El-Obour market, one of Egypt’s largest wholesale markets for fresh vegetables and fruits.

In supermarket chains like Carrefour and Souq El Asr, prices were even higher, reaching between EGP 26 (USD 0.54) and EGP 35 (USD 0.72) per kilo.

Hussein Abu Saddam, head of the Union of Farmers, believes this price surge is temporary. He anticipates that the next potato harvest will be substantial, potentially increasing market supply and reducing prices by 50% in December and January.

“The current surge is due to a reduction in potato seed imports from Europe, which led to fewer acres planted with potatoes,” Abu Saddam explained.

However, with most of the next harvest’s seeds sourced locally, Egypt should not face this problem next year.

Despite the temporary nature of the price increase, Abu Saddam highlighted the complex situation regarding exports.

He stressed that stopping exports of onions and garlic, as some have suggested, would be disastrous for farmers.

“If we close these international markets, we may not be able to reopen them,” he warned. Egypt produces seven million tons of potatoes, while the domestic market only requires five million tons. Without exports, farmers would struggle to sell their produce.

Abu Saddam also noted the importance of potato exports for Egypt. “We currently have international agreements, so we cannot just stop exporting potatoes,” he said.

Egypt exports one million tons of potatoes annually, making them the second most exported agricultural commodity after citrus fruits.

He explained that committees from the central administration for seed certification monitor seeding stations, seed trading shops, sorting stations, and potato seed refrigerators to ensure quality.

Earlier this year, the start of the Egyptian 2024 potato campaign sparked uncertainty among growers about the harvest’s volumes and subsequent exports.

A recent report by Fresh Plaza highlighted divergent opinions among producers, adding complexity to predicting outcomes. The local market’s demands will play a crucial role in determining available export volumes.

Abdelkader Alhabony, a prominent producer, shared an optimistic perspective. He noted the positive impact of recent government projects reclaiming large desert areas, resulting in increased potato volumes.

“Productivity in these reclaimed areas is higher, with lower pesticide residues,” Alhabony stated. He estimated a production increase of approximately 2.5 million tons, citing heightened demand due to adverse climate conditions affecting potato production in Europe.

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