Cairo – Leading Egyptian fresh produce exporter PICO will be showcasing the fruits of a highly successful 12 months, which have seen the company expand grape, avocado and mango exports, at the forthcoming Fruit Logistica 2016 trade fair in Berlin, Germany.
Among other highlights will be PICO’s range of new table grape varieties, including exciting black seedless varieties, which are increasingly enabling the Cairo-based company to meet early and late season demand.
As Sun World’s first licensee in Egypt, the company has expanded its basket to include new Sun World varieties, including among others Sable, Midnight Beauty and Red Superior.
PICO also enjoyed a second successful year exporting avocados and mangos to the UK, and it believes there could be further potential for Egypt as a supplier of both products to overseas markets.
Product showcase
Speaking ahead of PICO’s appearance at Fruit Logistica 2016, managing director Eng. Hatem El Ezzawy said the company would use the occasion to showcase its principal product lines, which include strawberries, stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and loquats) and table grapes.
In addition, PICO will be highlighting recent additions to its exotics basket, namely pomegranates, lychees, avocados and mangos, which are finding increasing favour in export markets.
“It is our second year exporting avocados and mangos to the UK and so far we are pleased with the feedback from the receivers and the quality upon arrival,” said El Ezzawy. “We believe that both crops have a good potential for export from Egypt.”
Separately, PICO continues to make strides forward with varietal developments. In strawberries, the exporter now has commercial volumes available of relatively new varieties such as Red Merlin, Red Delight, Winter Star, and Fortuna.
Several other strawberry varieties are also being trialled, as well as new raspberries, blackberries and pomegranates – the latter complementing the company’s existing exports of Wonderful-branded fruit – as part of PICO’s focus on varietal development to meet consumer demand.
Positive outlook
Looking back over the last 12 months, El Ezzawy said PICO had managed to cope well with the challenges and opportunities that arose during the course of the year.
Such unexpected occurrences included a shortage of grapes in the company’s traditional markets, which saw the company temporarily moving to airfreight.
“The grapes season posed a new challenge when receivers’ stores were empty and Egyptian grapes could not arrive early enough,” recalled El Ezzawy. “It has been a while since we have airfreighted grapes but this year we did some air shipments due to the shortage in the markets. This shortage continued throughout the season.”
A particular highlight of the year has been the continuing growth of PICO’s exports to Asia; an opportunity which has brought distinctive demands of its own.
“Our market share in Asia is increasing and we want to work closer with South East Asian markets to satisfy them because, as regards varieties, their demands are often different from traditional markets,” concluded El Ezzawy.
To arrange an interview or meeting with PICO at Fruit Logistica 2016, please contact:
Heike Hagenguth
Business Development Manager
h.hagenguth@picoagriculture.com
Tel: +20 114 114 1144
Source: PICO