The Trade Waves team at Fruit Logistica

The Trade Waves team at Fruit Logistica

Egyptian grape specialist Trade Waves is optimistic about the year ahead and has set out a five-year plan to redevelop land in the North African country to counter water issues and increase production.

Ahmed El-Hodaiby of Trade Waves, which supplies Morrisons among others, told freshinfo that “although we see 2010 as a tough year we have started looking at an expansion plan. We will work with an Egyptian citrus exporter and an industrial firm to reclaim 1,000 acres of land and work together to integrate marketing and the industrial side over five years.”

He also said the company was working on increasing quality to improve the quantity of its product heading to UK supermarkets.

This year, the company covered 90 per cent of its vineyards to protect the crop and ensure premium quality. It has also seen success in diversifying its packaging into two-coloured split punnets and other different display methods.