As pandemic wilts other industries, Egyptian vineyards flourish
Egyptian grape growers are celebrating a profitable season as the coronavirus pandemic raises demand from European importers.
Egyptian grape growers are singing in happiness as rising demand for their vines is filling their coffers with cash.
Owners of vineyards in Egypt seem to have struck gold this season with growing demand from European importers. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a game-changer for Egyptian growers of not only grapes but also potatoes, citrus and onions.
The pandemic has been a blessing in disguise for Egyptian agriculture. Exports of grapes, garlic, strawberries, pomegranates and beans rose as much as 30% in 2020, year-on-year, Ahmed al-Attar, head of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Central Administration for Plant Quarantine, said in a Sept. 27 press statement.
Egypt's trade balance deficit narrowed by 8.6% to $3.30 billion in June 2020, down from $3.61 billion in the same month a year earlier.
