Badr Eldin Farms intends to export its products to South Africa and Germany during the current year, and increase its exports to 50% of its production in order to expand its exports to Africa. Hany Badr Eldin, chairperson of the company, said that they aim to increase exports during 2019 by over 20%, compared to exports last year. He pointed out that most of the company's exports are to Arab countries, and they seek to increase production during the current year by 70%, to reach 1,500 tonnes, compared to the present 800 tonnes, through increased production of dried fruit. Furthermore, the chairperson highlighted that the company aims to benefit from the increased demand for dried fruits in the local market as well as the global market by relying on new types of dried fruits such as dried apricots, strawberries, mango, basil juice, and ready-made juices for Ramadan, including tamarind, hibiscus, mango, and apricots, and intends to participate in the Gulfood exhibition. “The peak of the company's sales and exports is the month of Ramadan, as many of the company's products are Ramadan products. The export season begins in May with the start of grape production for the production of raisins,” added Badr Eldin. The company mainly relies on raisin products, of which 50% is exported. About 30% of apricots are exported, while dried mangoes and strawberries were exported two years ago to Kuwait. Moreover, he pointed out that the company directed about 35% of its production for export last year, mostly to the markets of the Gulf states, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Morocco. The company opened its latest production line this year to manufacture basil seeds syrup, which were first manufactured in Egypt, and were imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Badr Eldin Farms benefited from its local market share to serve as a substitute for imports, in addition to exporting to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Lebanon. In addition, he noted that the company relied on raisins for 12 years, then diversified its portfolio and included new products, such as dried lemons in 2009, which are exported to the gulf. The company then expanded into new types of dried fruits, including strawberries and mangoes, which were used to enter the Iraqi, Jordanian, and Kuwaiti markets. The company seeks to continuously expand through the development of new production lines so as to increase its products and benefit from the availability of fruits in the local market, as well as the development of new types of dried fruits, including cantaloupe and dried watermelon, to take advantage of export opportunities and grab a share of the local market. Additionally, the company is currently working to reduce the energy consumption costs by relying on energy experts. It is looking to rely on solar energy, in cooperation with the Industrial Modernisation Centre, to create a solar plant in order to reduce the manufacturing expenses so that it can compete in the world markets. Over and above, the company is currently studying the requirements of local and foreign markets to take advantage of the high demand ahead of the month of Ramadan. Badr Eldin emphasised that the company contracted to export dried apricots and exported dried lemons in preparation for the month of Ramadan, and is targeting Arab countries with the company's products of ready-made juices.
