Part of the Egyptian production of sweet potatoes will arrive later than usual, as growers have delayed planting to fetch better prices, says Gehan Elsherif, executive manager of G Fresh Export & Import: “This year, Egyptian sweet potato production is lower than last year, because not all farmers decided to plant sweet potatoes. Many shifted to other crops, due to higher costs and market fluctuations, so the total planted area is smaller than it was in 2024. As a result, export volumes are expected to be lower as well. This year, many plantations will also be harvested later in the season. Farmers deliberately delayed planting, because the selling prices are usually better at the end of the export season. This means a part of the crop will come to the market later than usual.”

© G Fresh For Export & Import

According to Elsherif, the demand for sweet potatoes is increasing, meaning overall sweet potato exports has been growing over the past few years as well. “Egypt continues to benefit from strong and rising global demand, particularly in the European Union, where it surpassed the USA to become the largest supplier in the 2023/24 season. From July 2023 to May 2024, Egypt exported 109,000 tons, a 45% increase over the previous season. While Gulf demand is slower initially, due to inventory carryovers, it’s expected to pick up mid- to late-season, as quality-driven demand takes hold.”

With lower availability at the start of the sweet potato season, prices have naturally been higher than last year as well, Elsherif explains: “Prices this season started much higher compared to last year. At the beginning of the season, available volumes were limited, so the market opened with very high prices. As more quantities enter the market later, we expect some price adjustments, but still higher than last year’s average. Our main goal for this sweet potato season is to expand into more markets. We aim to strengthen our presence in our current destinations, while also reaching new countries where demand is growing.”

© G Fresh For Export & Import

“The major challenge for us this season will be to remain competitive by maintaining high quality, while offering prices that match market expectations, especially as we enter new markets. We plan to overcome this by carefully selecting premium grades, optimizing our logistics to control costs, and building strong relationships with buyers in each new destination,” Elsherif concludes.

For more information:
Gehan Elsherif
G Fresh For Export & Import
Tel: +20 109 985 0716
Email: [email protected]
www.gfresh-eg.com