The Egyptian horticulture sector generated USD 2.2 billion in export earnings for 2020, showing continued strength despite supply chain disruptions and uncertainties in global trade due to COVID-19. Egypt’s fruit and vegetable sector is one of the country’s fastest growing agribusiness sectors. For some products like oranges, for example, Egypt is one of the biggest exporters in the world.

With increased trade comes increased responsibility. As export volumes continue to grow and consumers become more demanding in terms of food safety and quality requirements, Egyptian growers and exporters are facing rising challenges to meet specific standards of international markets.  

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Trade and Competitiveness Programme funded by the European Union (EU), are supporting Egyptian authorities and the private sector to strengthen compliance and reduce the rate of rejections in export markets. This will open up new windows to other potential destinations.

Exporters, suppliers and farmers of five targeted value chains (strawberries, tomatoes, grapes, citrus, and medicinal and aromatic plants) took part in a training series to strengthen their capacities to handle pest and disease control and pesticide residue management.

“There are key benefits from helping the private sector strengthen food safety practices across the supply chain. It will help alleviate the risks and costs around companies’ exports and assist in building a strong, sustainable and inclusive agribusiness sector. At the same time, these practices can boost the profitability and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] and corporate businesses along the value chain. Both will be able to improve their competitiveness and extend their access to markets, enabling them to invest in the growth of their business.” says Mohamed Mansour, Principal Banker, Agribusiness, EBRD.