An Egyptian citrus industry representative says traders will face challenges of higher internal transport costs and customs clearance fees this coming season, but the extra burden will not likely have an effect on prices.

Mohamed Abd El-Hady, who heads up the Agriculture Export Council's Citrus Committee told the Daily News Egypt that around one million metric tons (MT) of citrus would be exported in the 2014-15 campaign which starts on Nov. 20.

The story reported the figure was roughly in line with volumes from recent years.

Abd El-Hady told the publication that Saudi Arabia and Russia would account for around half the shipments with an equal share, while the sector was expected to export to roughly 100 countries around the world.

Daily News Egypt highlighted internal transport costs had risen to EGP2,000 (US$280)/MT, while port and maritime shipping agent commissions had jumped to 4,000 (US$560)/MT.

The executive told the publication about the importance of opening up the Al-Salam Bridge on the Suez Canal for truck movement, in order to facilitate the East Port Said which accountd for more than a third of citrus exports. He added that most trucks relied on ferries to move across the canal, leading to delays of up to four days.

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