For over a decade, Egypt has been gearing itself to become a major supplier of high quality fresh produce.

Egypt's horticultural sector has undergone radical change over recent years. This has followed modernisation of infrastructure, expansion in land reclamation and heavy investment in facilities, particularly pre and post harvest. Many of these developments have been part-funded by USAID programmes and by partners overseas.

Stimulus has also come from a proactive stance by government, in part through economic reforms and privatisation, aimed at boosting the countries fruit, vegetable and flower exports. Much has already been achieved, with further expansion forecast in the light of proposed free trade agreements with the EU and various Mediterranean countries.

Success is reflected in significant increases in production. For example, fruit and vegetable output has risen by 250 percent and 180 percent since the mid 1980's and now stands at 6.5m tonnes and 14.5mt, respectively (Source: Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture).