U.S. Welcomes Egyptian Strawberries

U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson announced on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted market access for Egyptian fresh strawberry exports to the United States.

“We are committed to continuing to work with the Egyptian authorities to increase market opportunities for Egyptian exports,” said Ambassador Patterson.  “Increasing trade between our two countries is a key component of boosting employment and economic growth in Egypt.”

Egypt’s new access to the market will stimulate production and exports for its already robust strawberry sector.  The additional export market possibilities will encourage strawberry farmers to increase their plantings and hire more workers.

The United States is one of the top consumers and importers of strawberries in the world.  Opening the American market to Egypt is a testament to the high quality of Egyptian strawberry exports.  Egypt is the fourth largest strawberry producer in the world, with production valued at nearly US $330 million annually.  Egypt’s traditional export markets have been the EU-27 and GCC countries, which account for approximately US$59 million in export sales.