ITAMCO for Agriculture Development (Ghabour Farms) plans to expand its exporting to the African market in 2017. Esraa Assaf, head of exports and logistical services in the company, said that Ghabour Farms currently exports to Arab, Asian, European, and some African countries. It aims to expand in African markets, as well as in eastern Europe and south-east Asia. For its export operations, the company depends on 20 countries: India, Malaysia, Singapore, Belgium, Bangladesh, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Nigeria, and South Africa. Assaf explained that the company's main activity lies in producing and exporting vegetables as well as fruit crops, including lemons, grapefruits, grapes, pomegranates, peaches, apricots, mangos, and strawberries. The company owns 2,000 acres on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road where they produce lemons, mangos, grapes, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, artichokes, lettuce, cabbages, broccoli, and other vegetables. Assaf said that Ghabour Farms owns a production line to package grapes with the capacity of 80 tonnes per day. This line has been in operation since 2006, in addition to other lines to package pomegranates, mangos, and strawberries in order to export them to countries around the world. The company owns many types of grapes in Egypt that meet international standards and are cultivated on an area of 570 acres. Grapes and mangos represent about 60% of the company's total production, according to Assaf. All types of mango trees are cultivated, both foreign and local, on an area of more than 600 acres, whereas fruit seeds are cultivated on an area of 297 acres, including peaches, apricots, and plums. In 2009, the company began cultivation of pomegranates on an area of 82 acres. It also cultivates citrus fruits, including lemons, on an area of 120 acres, as well as 44 acres of figs and 35 acres of apples. Assaf revealed that Ghabour Farms exports more than 85% of its total sales. The company aims for the volume of its exports to grow annually, according to its plan. The company's strategy enables it to compete globally by meeting foreign markets' agricultural requirements through modern agricultural practices and food safety. Ghabour Farms was established in 1991 and is owned by businessman Raouf Ghabour, who is also the founder and chairperson of GB Auto for automobiles.
