Dakahlia for Agricultural Development targets to export 15,000 tonnes of oranges and 10,000 tonnes of potatoes this year, a growth of 30% compared to 2015.
Exports director Hossam Abdel Baki said that the company plans to expand the export of oranges to the Chinese market in the coming period, as well as expanding potato exports to Malaysia, and Singapore.
The company exports its products to EU countries, the Gulf states, and African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The company plans now to expand its work in eastern Europe and the south-east Asia region.
Dakahlia exports 80% of its total production, and made sales of EGP 60m in 2015, of which EGP 48m were returns on exports.
Abdel Baki said that the company’s products include oranges, lemons, grapefruit, grapes, plums, pomegranates, dates, potatoes, and beets.
The company imports apples and pears from EU countries. However, due to the shortage of foreign currency reserves in Egypt, it has had to halt these imports since June.
He announced that the company is establishing two packing centres in Minya and Wadi Natron, at a total cost of EGP 12m. The two centres will have more refrigerators so as to develop operations for exporting agricultural products.
Abdel Baki said that his company aims to increase the volume of its exports by 25-30% by the end of this year, by way of an expansion plan in foreign markets.
The company has achieved an annual growth rate of 15%, and has doubled its exports of oranges and potatoes. It now seeks to increase its exports of citrus fruits and grapes.
He noted that the company aims to increase its exports to east Asia and Russia, as well as the African market. Previously the company has neglected the rest of the continent due to the difficulty of exporting and the high cost of shipping to most countries on the continent.
Dakahlia for Agricultural Development was founded in 2002 and is a subsidiary of the Dakahlia Group for poultry, agriculture, and poultry feed.
