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Trade4go
Jun 20th, 2024
Original content
The head of the Agricultural Research Center of Egypt announced the renewal of the accreditation for the first branch of the Central Laboratory for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in Food (QCAP) in Ismailia according to ISO (17025/2017) standards by the American Accreditation Authority A2LA for the second consecutive year. This accreditation aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture's plan to expand services across various governorates, ensuring high-quality analysis of pollutants in crops and food products. The laboratory, accredited by FINAS in Europe for over 27 years, and by EGAC and A2LA, consistently delivers reliable results, boosting confidence among its clients and aiding Egyptian exports.
The Ismailia branch, with departments for pesticide residues and mycotoxins, serves the local agricultural sector by examining contaminants in products like strawberries, grapes, mangoes, potatoes, and peanuts. This proximity reduces transportation costs and speeds up analysis, facilitating quicker clearance with regulatory authorities.
In the 2023 autumn-winter season, strawberry prices in Italy were notably high, often exceeding USD 10.70 per kilogram (EUR 10/kg) due to new production from Southern Italy and late harvests from Trentino Alto Adige. Despite a seasonal price drop at the start of 2024, prices stabilized at the end of Feb-24 at levels higher than the previous year, supported by a balanced supply.
Strawberry production from Basilicata and Campania experienced a brief decline in early May-24 but quickly recovered. Favorable climatic conditions extended the productive life of these crops, offering high-quality produce. Outdoor strawberry production, about a third of total volumes, has declined over the past decade. Popular varieties include Sabrosa (Candonga), Favetta, and Inspire. Imports decreased by over 22% in 2023, with Spain as the main supplier. Exports grew significantly, with over a 6% volume increase and nearly 18% in value.
Strawberry production in the Buldan district of Denizli is significant for Turkey, with harvests starting in May. Strawberries from Buldan's Kovanoluk, Yayla, Kaşıkçı, Alandız, and Hasanbeyler are distributed nationwide. Varieties such as Sweet Charlie, Yediveren, and local types are used for table consumption and jam. The harvest, which began in early May-24, is expected to conclude shortly in Yayla and Alandiz. Denizli contributes 0.56% to Turkey's strawberry production, ranking 19th nationally and 5th in the Aegean Region. In 2023, Denizli produced 3.82 thousand metric tons (mt) of strawberries on 2.41 thousand decares, with an average yield of 1.59 thousand kg per decare.
In W24, the Ukrainian garden strawberry market experienced a significant shift. After declining prices, producers have managed to increase selling prices considerably. As of June 11, garden strawberries in Ukrainian farms rose by an average of 39% week-on-week (WoW), with prices ranging from USD 1.48 to 2.23/kg (UAH 60 to 90/kg) depending on quality and batch size.
Producers attribute this price increase to a rapidly decreasing supply as many farms conclude the sale of early varieties. Furthermore, high demand from the fresh market and processing companies is increasing prices. Analysts note that the current prices for garden strawberries are, on average, 30% higher than during the same period last year.
Weekly Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)
Yearly Change in Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (W24 2023 to W24 2024)
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Mexico's strawberry prices decreased by 14.51% WoW, from USD 1.93/kg in W23 to USD 1.65/kg in W24, with a further decrease of 22.90% month-on-month (MoM). This price drop can be attributed to a contraction of export volumes and an increase in domestic supply due to the new season, according to the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco).
The price of strawberries remained unchanged for the second week in the United States (US), remaining at USD 1.65/kg in W24. However, the price decreased by 25% MoM this drop is due to a surge in availability amidst California's recovery from severe droughts, resulting in an oversupply and easing prices down.
Egypt's strawberry prices remained unchanged at USD 0.18 in W24. However, with the Egyptian fresh strawberry season ending and transitioning to frozen strawberries, experts have noted a decrease in production due to adverse weather conditions. Egypt remains the leading global strawberry exporter, with a 20% market share. Fresh strawberries were widely exported, especially to the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the US. Experts anticipate similar success for the frozen strawberry campaign, projecting national production to exceed 300 thousand metric tons (mt).
The price of strawberries increased in the Italian market, from USD 3,54/kg in W23 to USD 4.32/kg in W24, marking a 22.03% WoW and a 6.67% MoM rise. This increase is due to the new and increased production from Southern Italy and the late harvest from Trentino Alto Adige.
In light of the renewal of the accreditation for the Central Laboratory for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in Food (QCAP) in Ismailia, Egyptian strawberry producers should leverage this development by ensuring their produce undergoes rigorous testing. By adhering to the highest quality and safety standards, they can boost consumer confidence and improve market access, particularly in premium export markets.
Given the challenges of adverse weather conditions impacting fresh strawberry production in Egypt, producers should invest in processing technologies to diversify into frozen strawberries and other value-added products. This strategy can mitigate the impact of production fluctuations and extend the market reach. The transition to frozen strawberries at the end of the fresh season is an opportune moment to capitalize on this.
With the notable increase in strawberry prices in Italy and the fluctuation observed in markets such as Ukraine and Mexico, producers in these regions should develop robust market intelligence capabilities. This will help them monitor global supply and demand trends, allowing for more strategic pricing decisions. For example, Ukrainian producers who recently increased their prices by 39% WoW should continue to monitor supply dynamics and adjust pricing strategies accordingly to maintain profitability.
Sources: Tridge, Agro Business, Al-Mal News, Kamu3, Fresh Point Magazine, El Universal, and FreshPlaza
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