Egypt, an emerging player in the blueberry industry
Egypt has gone from being on the figurative radar of the blueberry industry to firmly in the plans of numerous companies in Europe and the Americas, joining the two Spanish and Dutch companies that are carrying out projects with their own genetics. To exemplify the progress made, another global company headquartered in the Americas is running a 50-hectare trial this year near Alexandria, in close proximity to the Nile River, and if successful, the vision is to plant more extensive blueberry farms in the coming years. Another international group using genetics developed in Australia has also begun new trials in Egypt in 2023.
To put these advances into perspective, the report IBO indicated only 80 ha of land area dedicated to blueberries in Egypt in 2022, and even this figure is disputed by some as an exaggeration of the true extent of the plantations.
Recently, most projects were no larger than 8 hectares, predominantly between the governorates of Cairo and Alexandria. It is believed that the country's season, once fully developed, would largely mimic Morocco's in terms of timing; the goal for one of the investors in Egypt (which has a similar latitude to Agadir, Morocco) is to achieve peak production in February.
Despite its similar latitude to Morocco, the industry would have the potential to serve different markets given that along the coast, the distance from Alexandria to Agadir is approximately 5,000 km. That said, European interest in Egypt is high, and the very limited volume exported to date has been distributed among the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and Malaysia, among others. Egypt is also said to have greater water availability than Morocco.
In Egypt, the land is mostly flat, and labor is said to be abundant. These three factors—ease of irrigation, topography, and a readily available workforce—were described by one source as the "secret ingredient" to a successful industry, similar to Peru in some respects. The other benefit is that Egypt has over 100 million people; although the per capita income is low, it's almost on par with South Africa, where the local industry has built a decent and growing domestic market. One farmer who conducted consumer surveys in Egypt found that one in five people would be interested in buying blueberries.
Source: Global state of the blueberry industry report | 2024
Evolution of fresh blueberry exports – Country of origin Egypt - Main destination markets (Zoom in 3 consecutive graphs) (2021-2024 / volumes in tons)
The main destination market for Egyptian blueberries is the United Kingdom, where a comparative percentage growth of 2024% is observed between 2025 and 247, rising from 43 tonnes to 149 tonnes accumulated by week 14. See Table 2 and Graph 4
Table 2
graphic 4
A Huge Opportunity
The main European market has been the UK consumer market. This market continues to grow and is approaching 50% penetration. Meanwhile, on the European continent, consumption (volume utilization) is recording double-digit growth in the North and key peripheral markets.
Europeans love blueberries and want to consume them year-round. This market is more selective and demands high quality.
Producers who wish to enter or remain in this business must also be willing to expand and establish competitive fields, production facilities, and post-harvest treatment systems. This will ensure not only that market quality expectations are met, but also that a business model capable of thriving when the market is subject to increased competition and price pressures are greater. It is important to note that a field should not be planted based on today's market reality, but rather on tomorrow's.
Egypt, in the sights of foreign investors
Last January, ZELLAG proudly participated in AGRIEXPO Egypt, one of the region's most important agricultural fairs. The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and key players in the agricultural sector to showcase the latest sustainable technologies, products, and practices.
AGRIEXPO is a pivotal event for agribusiness in Egypt, reflecting the country's essential role as an agricultural powerhouse in the MENA region. With its fertile lands and rich agricultural history, Egypt is a key producer of crops such as wheat, rice, and citrus fruits. The country's growing focus on modern agricultural techniques, coupled with government support for innovation, makes it an ideal environment for companies looking to make a lasting impact.
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