Egypt: Egyptian strawberry exports to China surge as zero-tariff policy bears fruit.

Shotlist Ismailia, Egypt - Recent 1. Various of strawberry field, farmers picking strawberries 2. Various of workers sorting, packaging frozen strawberries FILE: Egypt - Date Unknown 3. Cargo vessel sailing FILE: Qingdao City, Shandong Province, east China - Date Unknown 4. Cargo vessel sailing Linyi City, Shandong Province, east China - Recent 5. Various of worker pushing cart, strawberry chips Ismailia, Egypt - Recent 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Mostafa Derb, CEO, El Heba for Agricultural Production: "We grow the fruit in October or September when the weather conditions are suitable to produce better quality, fiber and taste than in other countries. Sandy soil provides ventilation, which is essential for having good strawberries." 7. Various of strawberries being sorted, washed in factory 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Mohamed Elbatal, general manager, El Heba for Agricultural Production (starting with shot 7): "The timespan for producing strawberries is crucial. It has to be a quick process to avoid getting spoilt. We sort the strawberries, clean them from the dirt from the land, followed by two phases of cleaning, sorting again, before placing it in the IQF (Individual quick freezing device)." 9. Various of strawberries being washed 10. Boxes in cold storage 11. Various of workers packaging fruits 12. Boxes of fruits to be exported Linyi City, Shandong Province, east China - Recent 13. Various of worker moving cargo with forklift 14. Various of Egyptian frozen strawberries being further processed, dried in factory; staff members working, walking in factory 15. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) Wu Hao, marketing director, Linyi Chengfa Wonderful FD Technologies (starting with shot 14/ending with shot 16): "The quality of Egyptian strawberries can meet our export standard and they have advantages in price." 16. Various of robotic arms working in factory, strawberries being processed, dried 17. Various of boxes in cold storage, label on box 18. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) Wu Hao, marketing director, Linyi Chengfa Wonderful FD Technologies (starting with shot 17): "If we purchased Egyptian strawberries before May 1 and sold them in the domestic market, we would pay an extra tariff of 30 percent. You can calculate it. It's a great reduction for us now." 19. Dried strawberry pieces being poured from bag 20. Various of boxes in storage Cairo, Egypt - Recent 21. Various of Mohamed El Manasi, director of Central Administration of Plant Quarantine of Egypt, working in office, talking with businessman 22. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed in English) Mohamed El Manasi, Director, Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (partially overlaid with shot 23): "We apply strict measures on all producers. Our inspections start from the cultivation stage, followed by sorting, packaging and then a final inspection at the ports before loading." SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE Ismailia, Egypt - Recent 23. Various of workers sorting strawberries SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 24. Various of worker moving boxes with machinery Linyi City, Shandong Province, east China - Recent 25. Various of worker opening door of cargo box; cargo being unloaded; customs officers inspecting strawberries 26. SOUNDBITE (Chinese, dubbed in English) Wang Yaming, deputy section chief, Section 3 of Inspection and Quarantine, Linyi Customs (starting with shot 25/ending with shot 27): "We've opened green lights for them. Factories can reserve in advance. Once goods arrive, we come to check." Ismailia, Egypt - Recent 27. Various of workers sorting strawberries 28. Various of workers sorting oranges 29. Workers in fruit factory 30. Various of boxes in cold storage, label on box 31. Various of strawberries being washed, processed in factory 32. Various of farmer picking basket of strawberries, holding up strawberry Storyline Egyptian exports of its high-quality frozen strawberries have been surging into China in recent months, after the country introduced a zero-tariff policy for its African partners back in May, lowering market access costs and opening the door for more quality fruit to reach Chinese consumers. The measure was implemented on May 1, when China expanded its zero-tariff treatment to cover all 53 African countries with whom it holds diplomatic ties, a move which has created new opportunities for Africa to boost exports and which goes against the global headwinds of protectionism. Egypt is the world's largest exporter of frozen strawberries, shipping over half a million tonnes abroad last year, and China is now its fastest-growing market. The city of Ismailia is known for its sunny weather and sandy soil, making it the perfect planting ground for strawberry farmers who look to produce fruit of superior quality and taste. "We grow the fruit in October or September when the weather conditions are suitable to produce better quality, fiber and taste than