Winter soft fruit

Jordan
The majority of Jordanian strawberry production is planted around October in the nrthen Jordan Valley and produces between December and March. The remainder is planted in the highlands and produces duing the spring (attempts to produce in Autimn in soil less culture have been made recently in the highlands). As well as serving the local markets, Jordan exports to the Gulf countries and the UK, the majority of which comes from the Jordan Valley during December, January and February. Due to the beginning of regionalproduction in December (Jordan, Egypt and Israel), the local market and the gulf market are receptive during the Autumn (sept, Oct and Nov). As the end of main UK?Northern EUropean production is Oct/Nov and due to the initial production of Morocco and Spain in January - February, the "European" window exists between Mid November and Mid January. It seems feasible that Jordanian growers can follow the example of the Egyptian growers and develop earlier production for November, by bringing fruit on in the Jordan Valley and developing a later production in the highlands.

Mr Khalil Abu Ghannam from Abu Ghannam farms is one of the growers who have been involved in the Jordanian Fresh fruits and vegetable export program. One of the aimsis to support the development of production and the export of Jordanian strawberries.Abu Ghannam Farms started working with AMS Ltd / Well-Pict European in 1997 making them the longest standign supplier from the Middle East. The company is considered one of Well-Pict European's most reliable growers within the region. Ths is only strengthened by the fact that for the last three years running Abu Ghannam Farms have topped performance tables for Well-Pict EUropean's Middle Eastern Supply.

Abu Ghannam Farms is a very proactive farming operation with 15ha of production. They have been investing outside the mainstream varieties traditionally used in the Middle East by using varieties Oso Grande, Camarosa and more recently the new variety Honor (BG 633). This innovation has not been confined to the field but also to the packhouse where extensive work has been carried out to renovate them in order to attain BRC certification.

The facilities (seen above) are modern with two cold stores and a pre cooling store and a main packing area. The production is done in macro-tunnels, and the dominant variety in production is Camarosa. As well as BRC Abu Ghannam farms are also working towards EUREPGAP certification with the help of the accreditation body SGS.

Egypt
The main growing regiona sof Egypt's strawberries are in the North Central Egypt including Giza (yes the pyramids)m South Tahrir and Sharkia regions as well as in the Ismalia region of North Eastern Egypt. Just like Jordan, Egypt exportsd to the Gulf countries and the UK, Egyptian companies have also exported to France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Over the last few years the Egyptian producers have worked hard to improve the quality of their production, in particular the production and post harvesting handling technology. Egypt and Israel have been slow to pick and pack in the field, growers are now introducing these methods increasinfg yield and reducing labour costs. Egyptian exporters are aiming to expand their presence in Europe, particularly Germany and Italy. One of the major growers and exporters in Egypt is Technogreen. Technogreen has been supplying AMS/Well-Pict European since 2000, year after year the volumes have been increasing. The main avrieties are Sweet Charlie and Tamar, but also some quantaties of Yael and Camarosa. Technogreen has some 120 acres of production split between two farms. With such a production Technogreen is Well-Pict's largest supplier in the Middl East.

Technogreen have been trialling hydroponic production and commercial production is expected soon. One of this years trials was the use of solarisation techniques for soil disinfection purposes. The company already has EUREPGAP certification with support of the accreditation body CMI. Both production sites have a packhouse with refrigeration area and production lines. As well as strawberry production, Technogreen also works with Capsicums and is one of the biggest Egyptian cherry tomator growers, both of these products are exported mainly to the UK.

Autumn 2003