Pomegranate season in Assiut: a hive of activity between farming and export
Assiut pomegranates are renowned for their distinctive taste and world-famous quality. With the start of the pomegranate harvest season in Assiut, the villages of Sahel Selim, El-Badari, and Sadfa are transformed into a hive of activity. The abundant harvest is collected in plastic containers and carried by workers to trucks and packing stations in preparation for the long journey to local and international markets. The scene is not limited to the collection of pomegranates, but is a season with economic impact and social significance.
Pomegranates: shapes and types
Ibrahim Adel, a worker at a pomegranate farm in the village of Deir Tasa on the Salim coast, says, “I inherited the work of harvesting pomegranates from my parents and grandparents, who worked in this profession. They passed on to us the experience they gained during their lives, most of which they spent growing and caring for pomegranates.”
Adel continues: “There are different types of pomegranates, the most famous of which in Assiut is the Assiut pomegranate. It is characterized by its early ripening, high acidity, and low sugar content, and is harvested in late July. Therefore, the areas planted with it are small compared to the Manfalouti (local) pomegranate, which ripens late and appears in late September and early October.
Global markets
The pomegranate harvest season does not stop at the borders of the villages of Assiut; its delicious fruits find their way to global markets. Adel adds that the high quality, color, and distinctive size are among the most important reasons for the high demand for Manfalut pomegranates. They are exported to many European and Arab countries. One of the most prominent markets it reaches is the Russian market.
By hand
Abanoub Mamdouh, a pomegranate picker and harvester, says, “The harvesting process is done by hand, starting with picking the fruit by hand, then placing it in baskets. They are then transported to the ‘brushing’ area, where the fruits are brushed. One of the workers sorts them and packs the good ones in plastic boxes of different sizes, depending on the requirements of the destination market. The size of the fruit is the main factor in choosing the size of the box.” He points out that the smallest pomegranates are exported to Sudan.
The best in the world
“We have the best pomegranates in the world in Assiut.” With these words, Mohsen Nasif, owner of two packing and export stations in El-Badari and Sahel Selim, began his speech, pointing out that this year’s pomegranate harvest is very promising.
He added that the season begins in mid-July with the harvest of high-acidity pomegranates (al-Hadeq). Then, in September, the harvest of the local Manfalouti pomegranate begins. This variety is characterized by its high quality and red color, both inside and out.
Each country has its own variety
Nasif adds: ” Pomegranates vary in size, and our role at the packing stations after receiving the harvest from the farmers is to sort and classify the fruits. Each market has its own specifications. The Iraqi market demands small fruits ranging from 200 to 350 grams, while the Russian market prefers large fruits that may exceed 350 grams.
He emphasizes that varieties intended for export must comply with specifications and be free of any deformities. Nasif points out that Assiut exports approximately 137,000 tons of pomegranates annually. In addition to the quantities stored in refrigerators until April of the following year, part of which is exported and the majority of which is allocated to the local market.
A festive season for the locals
Nasif adds: “During the pomegranate harvest season, the villages and hamlets of El-Badari and Sahel Selim turn into something resembling a beehive. Most of the locals, including workers, farmers, traders, car drivers, and tricycle drivers, are involved in harvesting, transporting, and selling the crop.”
He pointed out that pomegranate cultivation in the Sahel Selim and El-Badari districts dates back decades. The island of El-Badari was the first area where pomegranate cultivation appeared. For more than four decades, it has been widely cultivated, becoming the leading crop in both districts. The state has taken a growing interest in it.
He explained that this year, the state established a pomegranate factory in the industrial zone of Al-Koum Al-Ahmar in the center of El-Badari. It manufactures pomegranate derivatives and sets export prices, noting that this was a long-standing dream and demand that was realized after 20 years. It will benefit farmers and raise the status and global ranking of the crop.
Increased demand for Assiut pomegranates
In press statements, Major General Hisham Aboul Nasr, Governor of Assiut, said: The pomegranate crop is one of the most important economic crops in the governorate. It is a major source of income for thousands of farmers. The area planted with pomegranates exceeds 11,000 acres, and large quantities are exported abroad due to their quality and increased demand in local and international markets.”
The governor pointed out that the harvest season provides hundreds of job opportunities for seasonal workers, which enhances the social and economic dimension of the crop. He expressed his hope that the current season will be a good and prosperous one for farmers.
