EGYPTIAN TABLE GRAPES – ROBUST SYSTEM IN PLACE TO PROTECT BREEDERS’ RIGHTS
Cairo, 12 May 2026
Now in its third year, the system introduced by Egypt’s Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) to prevent the export of illegally planted table grapes has evolved and become even stronger.
Dr Mohammed Mansi, head of CAPQ together with Technical Director, Dr Elsayed Abbas received Mr Duncan Macintyre, President of The Breeders’ Alliance at their offices in Cairo to discuss the operation of the system in preparation for the 2026 export season which will start in the next few days.
Members of The Breeders’ Alliance account for over 80% of the proprietary table grapes produced in Egypt.
CAPQ are responsible for issuing Export Codes for all growers and packhouses who wish to export table grapes. One of the requirements for eligibility is to demonstrate the right to grow any variety of table grapes covered by Plant Breeders’ Rights. It is not possible for anyone to export without the appropriate code.
The Head of the Egyptian Horticultural Export Improvement Association, Mr Mohsen El Beltagy confirmed his full support for this system and stated that the introduction of these new varieties and the CAPQ coding system has been responsible for enhancing the Egyptian table grape industry.
Where a breeder suspects that that there may be an illegal plantation, then CAPQ will visit that farm and take samples. These samples are then analysed at the CAPQ DNA laboratory in Cairo where the results are compared against the comprehensive DNA database of all commercially produced table grapes. If the sample is found to be from an unauthorised plantation or packhouse, then CAPQ will revoke the Export Code and that fruit cannot be sent to any export market. Starting with the 2026 season, if the CAPQ staff are denied entry to the premises to take samples, then the export code will be automatically revoked.
The President of the Egyptian Agricultural Export Council and Member of Parliament, Mr Abdel-Hamid Demerdash, stated that the CAPQ system has greatly benefited the agricultural export industry as it has given confidence to plant breeders to introduce new and better varieties. These have improved both yield and quality and therefore increased exports of high-quality fruit to the worldwide market. The clear objective of CAPQ is to prevent the export of illegal fruit at source, rather than for breeders to take legal action in the destination market, which can be very time consuming, costly and risks damaging the reputation of the Egyptian grape industry.
Said Macintyre “we applaud the CAPQ leadership for their commitment to protecting breeders’ rights. Egypt is a very important market for our members, and we are seeing a big increase in plantings of new varieties. Not only that, but we welcome the work that CAPQ has done to open up access to new markets which has increased demand for our varieties.
We now turn our attention to the nurseries who are illegally propagating vines of our varieties and together with CAPQ we are exploring ways to compel these nurseries to demonstrate that they have the right to propagate our plant material. If we can cut off the supply of illegal vines, then we can substantially cut off the production of illegal fruit.
The system in Egypt is working well, and we are now taking that approach to other countries such as Peru where we can see that a similar system could be implemented.
The Breeders’ Alliance greatly appreciate the support of the Egyptian Agricultural Export Council and the Egyptian Horticultural Export Improvement Association.
About The Breeders Alliance
The Breeders’ Alliance brings together leading global fruit breeders with a shared commitment to protecting innovation, supporting licensed growers, and strengthening integrity across the fresh produce supply chain. Through collaboration on intellectual property protection, market surveillance, and industry awareness, the Alliance works to safeguard the long-term investment required to develop new high-quality fruit varieties that deliver value to growers, retailers, and consumers worldwide.
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