In January, strawberry nurseries from 12 countries and a team from UC Davis joined GPG for a visit to Egypt and Jordan, exploring advancements in strawberry genetics.

Egypt: A Growing Hub for Premium Strawberries

The group first visited Domiatec Agri-Group in Egypt, where presentations and field visits showcased the professionalism of Domiatec’s tissue culture laboratory and nursery facilities.

The NEW UC Davis varieties demonstrated impressive fruit quality and yield, reinforcing Egypt as a key player in the global strawberry market.

Jordan: Exceptional Strawberry Quality

The group then travelled to Jordan, where Highland Ag Investments, led by Abdallah Al Tayeh, showcased outstanding UC Davis cultivars: UC Victor, UC Valiant, UC Moxie, and UC Royal Royce.

A highlight was the new high-specification tunnels from Haygrove:

1 hectare for UC Davis fruit production

1 hectare for nursery propagation

With Abdallah’s expertise, advanced infrastructure, and premium genetics, this setup will be a model for the region.

Standout Varieties & Remarkable Performance in Jordan

UC Victor (Short-Day Variety) – January 2025

Exhibited a massive fruit load

Expected to reach a significant peak in May and June, similar to trends seen in California’s east coastal regions

Produced large, high-quality fruit with exceptional shelf life

Delivered excellent flavour with a well-balanced sugar-acid profile

Harvesting every five days resulted in improved flavour and internal colour, compared to more frequent three-day harvesting

UC Royal Royce – January 2025

Planted in October 2024 and harvested from early December 2024

Demonstrated outstanding fruit size and vibrant colour, meeting the high expectations associated with this variety

This showcase reaffirmed Egypt and Jordan’s growing roles in global strawberry production. With expert growers, premium genetics, and cutting-edge infrastructure, the future looks bright.

A huge thank you to all who worked on this trip and joined – it allowed for such a successful few days. Thank you for your contributions to advancing strawberry cultivation.