AN ECONOMIC STUDY ON EGYPTIAN ORANGE EXPORTS AND ITS COMPETITIVENESS IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Abstract

Foreign trade plays a major role in the implementation of the economic development programs, especially in developing countries. The goals and national orientation represented by export development which ensures the continuation of development efforts consequently are increasing employment opportunities, improving living standards of citizens and decrease the deficit in the trade balance, especially in light of rapid global changes. This changes requires the necessity of providing a competitive advantage for export commodities. That competitive advantage result from the interaction between economic growth stability. Moreover, the development of the private sector, education, productivity and efficiency, which affects the degree of integration in the global economy. From this standpoint, the agricultural sector plays an important role in developing the economy by its contribute in developing the exports. According to CAPMAS data the Egyptian orange is considered one of the most important exported fruits in Egypt trade, as its export value about 493.28 million dollars, which represents 11.3% of the value of Egyptian agricultural exports, which equal 4391.915 million dollars, during the average period (2014-2017). Moreover, Egyptian orange prices in the international markets are more competitive than prices offered by other international suppliers, therefore studying the most important foreign markets for Egyptian orange exports to know prevailing conditions in these markets, and determine the competitors and their price levels, which helps Egypt to push and increase oranges exports within these markets and then identifies the most important factors that can be focused on keeping the competitiveness of the Egyptian orange in the international markets.