Evaluation of Export Advantages of Egypt in Exporting Major Vegetable Crops

Potatoes and onions are important Egyptian export vegetable crops. The current research generally aims at evaluating the export advantages of Egypt in exporting these two crops by analyzing the competitive position in the most important export markets and measuring the competitiveness of Egypt during the period (1990-2020). Both quantitative data analysis methods were used. In addition, some competitiveness indicators were estimated to help measure the impact of the rise in the exchange rate on the competitiveness of Egyptian agricultural exports.
The research results are summarized below. As regards potatoes, on studying the geographical distribution of Egyptian exports during the mentioned period, Russia, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Germany, and the UAE were the most important markets, representing 19.731%, 12.380%, 10.5%, 8.678%, 7.954%, and 3.041% of Egypt's total exports of potatoes, respectively. On estimating the price competitiveness index, Egypt had a competitive advantage over competitors- except for France and Germany- in exporting potatoes to Russia, Greek, and Italian markets. On the other hand, on estimating the production competitiveness index, Egypt did not have any competitive advantage over competitors- except for Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Denmark, and Spain. On estimating the market penetration index of Egyptian potatoes, Egypt exhibited a high ability to penetrate the Russian and Greek markets and an average ability to penetrate the Italian market. Regarding the market share index, Egypt was ranked second in the Russian and Greek markets and fourth in the Italian market. On estimating the indicators of export strength and dependence on export, Egypt was ranked second in
the Russian and Greek markets, and third in the Italian market. As regards onions, on studying the geographical distribution of Egyptian exports during the mentioned period, KSA, Russia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, and the UAE were the most important markets, representing 40.839%, 8.007%, and 4.779%. 4.589% and 2.776% of Egypt's total exports of onions, respectively. On estimating the price competitiveness index, Egypt had a competitive advantage over competitors- except for India- in exporting onions to the Saudi, Russian, and Kuwaiti markets. On the other
hand, on estimating the production competitiveness index, Egypt did not have any competitive advantage over competitors- except for Yemen and the Netherlands- in exporting to the Saudi, Russian, and Kuwaiti markets. On estimating the market penetration index of Egyptian onions, Egypt exhibited a high ability to penetrate the Saudi, Russian, and Kuwaiti markets. Regarding the market share index, Egypt was ranked first in the Saudi market, and second in the Russian and Kuwaiti markets. On estimating the indicators of export strength and dependence on export, Egypt was ranked first in the Kuwaiti market and second in the Saudi and Russian markets.