EGYPTIAN BEAN MARKET DRIVES EXPORT SUCCESSES

Despite a mixed harvest, Gleadell Agriculture’s shipments of beans have continued into the winter period, with the latest consignment of 9,250 tonnes from Immingham docks destined for Damietta, taking the amount exported to Egypt this year to nearly 20,000 tonnes.

The company was the first bulk shipper in the UK to transport large cargoes of human consumption beans into Middle Eastern markets when it began deliveries in 2003. Gleadell’s beans and pulses trader Ian Skinn believes there is further potential to expand a market which has seen growers reaping premiums of £10 to £15 over feeds in 2006.

“UK beans are recognised in Egypt as among the best types for human consumption since the varieties grown here have thinner skins, making them more digestible , and Gleadell have an excellent reputation for delivering the best UK quality to the Egyptian market ”

The Egyptian market has strict quality requirements and difficult growing conditions for this year’s crop meant many samples from the south failed to make the grade. Therefore the bulk of the company’s exports this year have come from north-east Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

“The beans from this area were later maturing than the rest of the country. Although it also endured a relatively dry period, it seems that the plantings were a little later and they were able to withstand the challenging conditions better,” explained Mr Skinn.

“The Egyptian market we supply sets maximum acceptable level of Bruchid beetle damage at 3-5%. However, for 2006 in large swathes of Britain it has averaged out at 20% and, in some areas, higher. This is why there have been very few shipments for the Middle Eastern market from southern ports.
Mr Skinn said he hoped to ship another cargo to Egypt in January, and added that Gleadell’s association with its Paris-based joint shareholder, Union InVivo, had played a critical part in enabling it to access this value market for its growers.