Daltex for Agricultural Development, widely known as Daltex Corporation, is Egypt’s leading integrated agribusiness company with a rich legacy that spans over six decades. Founded in 1964 by Dr. A. Samir El Naggar, Daltex has established itself as a global powerhouse in agricultural production, post-harvest processing, and fresh produce exports, especially in the premium Egyptian potato segment.
Core Business and Operations
Daltex operates a fully integrated agricultural model that encompasses land cultivation, seed production, harvesting, packing, cold chain management, and international marketing. The company is vertically structured to maintain complete control over the supply chain—ensuring food safety, product traceability, and consistent quality.
The corporation owns and operates over 54,000 feddans (approx. 22,700 hectares) of cultivated land spread across Egypt’s most fertile growing regions including Behera, Nubaria, Wadi El Natroun, and Toshka.
Product and Service Offerings
Daltex boasts one of the widest product portfolios among Egyptian agri-exporters, with capabilities to supply both bulk and retail-packed produce to high-barrier markets across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Major Products and Volumes:
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Potatoes
- Export Volume: Over 300,000 tons annually
- Varieties: 32 commercial varieties and 75 trial varieties
- Markets: EU, Russia, Gulf countries
- Applications: Fresh consumption, seed potatoes, processing-grade for chips and fries
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Citrus
- Export Volume: Over 50,000 tons
- Types: Navel oranges, Valencia, Grapefruit, Lemons, Easy Peelers
- Certifications: Global GAP, BRC-certified packhouses
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Grapes
- Export Volume: Over 5,000 tons
- Varieties: Flame Seedless, Crimson Seedless, Thompson Seedless, Superior Seedless
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Other Fresh Produce:
- Pomegranates
- Onions & Spring Onions
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin
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Field Crops:
Specialisation and Core USP
Daltex’s leadership in Egyptian agriculture stems from its innovation-first approach and deep operational scale:
- Seed Innovation: Operates Egypt’s largest private seed potato multiplication and trial program.
- Sustainability: Implements crop rotation, integrated pest management, and water-efficient irrigation systems.
- Post-Harvest Excellence: Owns multiple BRC- and Global GAP-certified packhouses with automated grading, sizing, and cold storage technology.
- Training & Development: Runs ongoing training programs for more than 3,000 field workers and agronomists.
Financial and Market Impact
Though privately held, Daltex is recognized among Egypt's top three agri-exporters by volume and value. According to the Egyptian Agricultural Export Council:
- Annual Export Value: Estimated at over $150 million USD
- Potato Export Market Share (Egypt): ~30%
- Employment: Over 4,000 seasonal and permanent staff
- Cold Storage Capacity: 20,000+ tons across strategic hubs
Export and Shipment Records
Daltex's consistent export activity is documented through platforms like Volza, Trademo, and ImportYeti:
- Number of International Shipments (Past 3 Years): 1,200+
- Key Destinations:
- Europe: Germany, Netherlands, UK, France
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar
- Asia: India, Bangladesh, Malaysia
- Africa: Sudan, Kenya
Shipments are carried out under stringent phytosanitary protocols, and Daltex works closely with inspection bodies to ensure compliance with EU, USDA, and Gulf standards.
Target Market
Daltex services a wide range of international clients, including:
- Global importers and fresh produce distributors
- Supermarket chains and retail buyers
- Food processors and seed companies
- Government procurement programs (especially for staple crops)
Infrastructure and Capabilities
- Farms: Over 54,000 feddans cultivated
- Packhouses: Multiple BRC- and Global GAP-certified facilities
- Cold Chain: On-site cold storage, pre-cooling tunnels, refrigerated logistics
- R&D: Partnerships with international agronomic institutes and seed developers
Certifications and Compliance
Daltex adheres to the most stringent international certifications, including:
- Global GAP – Good Agricultural Practices
- BRC – British Retail Consortium Food Safety Standard
- ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management Systems
- Sedex – Ethical Trade Membership
- GRASP – Social responsibility in farming
- Phytosanitary Clearance – Country-specific compliance documentation
Recognitions and Public Activity
- Top 5 Egyptian Exporter (Agro Category) – Egyptian Agricultural Export Council
- International Media Coverage – Featured in FreshPlaza, Eurofruit Magazine, and AgFunder Network
- Government Collaborations – Works with Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture on sustainability and export expansion programs
- Social Media Presence – Over 160,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, sharing crop cycles, success stories, and global reach
Strategic Vision
Daltex aims to scale its operations into value-added processing, seed R&D, and controlled-environment agriculture. Its long-term strategy focuses on increasing export volumes, strengthening relationships with global retailers, and investing in digitized traceability systems to meet evolving consumer expectations.
With unmatched scale, a science-led agricultural model, and a reputation for reliability, Daltex for Agricultural Development remains at the forefront of Egypt’s agricultural export industry.