Canned Pineapple

Canned Pineapple

1.1 Statistic of the last 5 years

Egypt Import of pineapple from Thailand H.S. Code 200820

                 Years         Value in        Quantity by      Total import      % of Egypt Imp.
                                million $       Million KG.       million $        From Thailand
                 2008             2.3              1.3               3.1                 74
                 2009             1.9              0.8               2.1               90.4
                 2010            2.07              2.9              2.12                 97
                 2011             3.2              4.7               3.5                 91
              2012 up to        0.727             1.00             0.728                 99

February

Source of information: CAPMAS

• Most of the Egyptian import of canned pineapple from Thailand, and few quantity from the other countries such as Indonesia , Turkey, Kenya, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil and China.
• Egypt is not export this product at all because the nature of the agricultural land is not fit for growing pineapple, moreover there is no factory of fruit canning.
• The demand of canned pineapple increase as shown in the above table and the consumption increase also because people use it with the most of confectionery products now.
• The import value decreased in 2009 because the Ministry of Health rejects some of the imported consignments of canned pineapple, this is because the Ministry stipulates that the cans should be varnished or galvanized from inside and coated with a golden layer. Whereas the Thai Ministry of Health as well as international specifications warn that such galvanization may interact with acidic fruits and may pose real health hazards to humans.
• To solve this problem the Thai exporters must follow the Egyptian Standard Specification.

• There is no any market condition for buying or selling canned pineapple but you can find in the whole and retail market, upper or lower market, fresh market and the consumer can find it in every where such as hypermarket, big & small supermarket, small grocery shops near your house. So its available in every places.
• Egypt has many hypermarket such as Carrefour (many branches), Hyper one and Spinneys. Also big supermarkets like Alfa Market (5 branches), Metro (25 branches), Ragab Sons (7 branches), El Mahmal (4 branches), Abou Zekry (6 branches) and a lot of small grocery shops in all Egypt.
• The consumption of pineapple either slices or small peaces increase because Egypt is not grow this type of fruit and also it has no factories of fruit canning. Such reasons make the demand is going up every year.
• The Egyptian consumer behavior prefers the sweet taste of fruits.
• There are many imported brand names of canned pineapple available in the markets now as follows:

                No.    Brand Name                          Weight             Price LE.
                1      Dony                                850 Gram           10.00
                2      Americana                           565 Gram           7.75
                3      Americana                           415 Gram           6.25
                4      Bostany                             850 Gram           10.50

• The custom tariff of pineapple is 32 % .

1.4 Distribution Channels

• The importer distribute by his staff directly to the hypermarkets, supermarkets, small shops, Restaurants, Hotels and confectionery shops.
• The importers sell to the wholesalers then wholesalers sell to the retailers (retailers such as supermarkets and small shops then to the consumer).

1.5 Import Procedures & Regulation

• Restrictions on Agricultural Imports
• Tests and Inspections
• Labeling and packaging requirements
• Required Certificates
• shipping documents

The Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Industry & Foreign Trade along with various experts in the field, provide recommendations to the all-encompassing General Authority for Standardization and Quality Control.

Restrictions on Agricultural Imports

The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (EOS) in the Ministry of Industry has sole responsibility for establishing, adopting and publishing food standards and codes of practice. While the EOS issues all product standards, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry & Foreign Trade to apply those standards. Anyone who wants to have a new specification established and included on the list of approved Egyptian specifications must present proof that the desired specification standard already exists and is approved for use in some other "acceptable" country.

Tests and analyses are conducted on all imported food products upon arrival at ports. Analyses are conducted in accordance with the specifications, regulations, and other instructions.

• Laboratory tests and analysis by the Ministry of Health.
• Laboratory tests and analysis by the General Organization of Export and Import Control (GOEIC).
• Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, veterinary inspection of dairy, fish, meat, and

poultry products,

All tests are conducted in government laboratories. Tests and analyses by private laboratories are not permitted or acceptable.

1) fit for human consumption,

2) free from contagious diseases.

3) in compliance with Egyptian product specifications.

The number of samples withdrawn has been reduced as a result of centralizing the inspection process with GOEIC. Importers are supposed to be notified of all test results within seven days after samples have been drawn. However, for canned products, mineral water, and frozen products, tests results must be submitted within 14 days after samples have been drawn.

• Not fit for human consumption
• Incorrect labeling
• Prohibited colors, additives, or preservatives
• Incorrect or missing certificates (however, authorities usually allow importers extra time

to submit corrected documents)

• Failure to comply with Egyptian product specifications
• Less than 50 percent of the established shelf-life remains for the product

Labeling and Packaging Requirements

• Name and address of manufacturer
• Brand or trade mark, if appropriate
• Country of origin
• Type of product and grade
• Name and address of importer

Production and expiration dates. Production and expiration dates may be mentioned

separately on the top of the package.

• They can be applied by laser, imposed, or printed. In such cases, there is no need to repeat

them on the label.

• Product use instructions (optional)
• Product ingredients
• Storage instructions or temperature
• Net weight
• Gross weight and total number of the packages per case or carton

Labels must be inserted inside the package as well as on the outside carton. The information on the label may be in two or more languages, as long as one is Arabic.

• Certificate of Origin (C.O)
• Health Certificate

All the above certificates should be countersigned by the Chamber of Commerce and notarized by the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin, or any other Arab Consulate if there is no Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin.

Importers must present one set of all import documents to the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC).

1. Bill of Lading or Letter of Guarantee (L/G)

2. Commercial Invoice countersigned by the Chamber of Commerce and notarized by the

Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin

3. Packing Lists

4. Insurance Policy

5. Certificate of Origin countersigned by the Chamber of Commerce and notarized by the

Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin

6. Import/Export Permit of the importer

7. Food Certificates.

Importers must present one set of all import documents to the General Organization for Export and Import Control GOEIC.

1- Bostany Company

2- Al Nahrain for Food Products

3- General Trade & Supply (GTS)

4- El Taaef Import Co.

5- Ragab Sons Company

6- El Yoser Co. for Imp, Exp., Trading Agen.

7- El Ansary Trading & Contracting Co.

8- Americana Manufacturing & Distribution

9- El Ashraf Co. Imp. & Exp.

10- Al Fayrouz Co. for Imp. & Trade

• General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) www.goeic.gov.eg
• Ministry of Public Health and Population www.mohp.gov.eg
• Ministry of Agriculture and land Reclamation www.agri.gov.eg

Thai Trade Center, Cairo