Produce exporters say gov’t regs on pesticide residue are undermining performance

Produce exporters say gov’t regs on pesticide residue are undermining performance: Egyptian agricultural product exporters are complaining that recently-imposed regulations and restrictions from the government on their products, including time-consuming procedures and expensive tests, are causing them to lose out on market share abroad, according to Al Mal. Tests to determine the level of residual pesticides currently cost EGP 10k, having increased more than tenfold from an initial EGP 800 before the new regulations were imposed last year, according to Agricultural Export Council member Reda El Gergawy. The regulations were put in place after several countries banned imports of Egyptian produce due to high levels of residual pesticides were found on multiple shipments. The latest figures available show that Egypt's agro exports in the 2018-2019 export season rose to 4.3 mn tonnes worth USD 2.2 bn.