BASF Egypt launches commercial operations of Nunhems vegetable seed varieties
Egypt - BASF Agricultural Solutions Egypt, a division of the global chemical company BASF, has officially launched commercial operations for its specialized vegetable seed brand, BASF | Nunhems, in Egypt.
The launch event, held at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, marks a major milestone in BASF's regional expansion and its commitment to supporting Egyptian farmers with innovation-led, tailored agricultural solutions.
The rollout introduces a fully localized business model offering high-performance vegetable seed varieties designed to increase yields, enhance quality, and support sustainable agricultural practices. These seed solutions are backed by more than a century of breeding expertise and a global network of 46 R&D centers.
BASF's entry into the Egyptian seed market is expected to create local job opportunities and align with Egypt's strategic goal of increasing agricultural exports by 20% in 2025. In 2024, the country's agricultural exports grew 11% year-on-year, reaching 8.6 million tonnes—a testament to the sector's resilience and growth potential.
As Egypt intensifies its focus on sustainable agricultural development, BASF and Nunhems are uniquely positioned to contribute through a combination of global innovation, local insights, and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of farmers.
'We are excited to launch commercial operations in Egypt—a market with vast potential for high-value vegetable production,' said Silvia Cifre, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at BASF | Nunhems. 'With over 1,200 commercial seed varieties across 20 vegetable crops and nearly 80 new varieties introduced each year, we are well-equipped to support Egyptian growers with cutting-edge seed technology tailored to local conditions. This expansion is part of our broader regional vision to bring innovation closer to the field and help farmers grow 'vegetables people love.''
Echoing this commitment, Youssef Babouih, Country Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions in Egypt and the Middle East, stated: 'Our aim is to deliver integrated solutions that address the unique challenges of Egyptian agriculture. With over 31% of BASF's global workforce dedicated to R&D and 20–25% of our investments directed toward innovation, we are well-positioned to make a lasting impact. Our efforts align directly with Egypt's Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy, which focuses on modernization and food security.'
From a market access perspective, Amr Abouzeid, Country Sales Manager at BASF Egypt LLC, highlighted the company's local distribution strategy: 'By integrating BASF's vegetable seed operations into our Egyptian structure, we've developed a new distribution model built on local expertise and strong partnerships. This ensures high-quality seeds are delivered efficiently and effectively to farmers.'
BASF's expansion into Egypt's vegetable seed market reflects its broader commitment to supporting agricultural transformation across the region. The company continues to foster strategic partnerships that deliver long-term value, drive innovation, and promote sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
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The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
Arab debt explained: Why some Middle East countries keep borrowing at a high cost
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Jordan's decision in 1994 to sign a peace treaty with Israel came after President Bill Clinton's administration promised to forgive $700 million of Jordan's debt along with further relief from US allies. This was a "key factor in the king's decision making", according to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in its 1999 analysis titled America and the Jordan Israel Peace Treaty, Five Years On. Egypt signed the Camp David Accords in 1978 and the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in 1979. The country became one of the largest recipients of US foreign aid from 1979 to 2003 with about $19 billion in military aid and about $30 billion in economic aid. The US authorised the funds to Egypt "to promote the economic stability and development of that country and to support the peace process in the Middle East" according to the Office of the Law Revision Counsel United States Code. Jordan, the world's second-most water scarce country, must also negotiate the use of its own water resources with the US and Israel as a result of agreements it signed in the 90s. Jordan relies on US aid for about 3 per cent of its gross domestic product. This is significantly higher than most countries globally, whose reliance on international aid averages 1 per cent. Although countries in conflict are falling deeper into debt year by year, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen and Egypt are knocking on the doors of international lenders asking for more financial assistance. Why borrow? While debt is a popular tool for regional oil-exporting nations to fund their ambitious economic diversification drives and a primary source of financing for their multi-billion-dollar projects, it has a more existential dynamic for oil importers. Some countries in the Arab world, including Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria, are at a stage where they need external support for their economic survival, says Daniel Murray, deputy chief investment officer and global head of research at EFG International. 'Such countries likely need some external assistance to help rebuild and give them a chance of achieving a degree of economic success in the future. This is not just about being able to issue debt, but it is also about a multitude of factors, including infrastructure, education, political stability and planning,' Mr Murray says. 'It is unlikely that such countries can achieve economic success without external assistance.' Countries looking beyond survival are borrowing to climb out of deficit spending and poverty, and to raise long-term economic growth. 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Lebanon, whose debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to have hit 140 per cent at the end of 2024, held roughly $67 billion in total external debt in 2023, the vast majority of it coming from private creditors. Jordan ($44.63 billion), Tunisia ($41.297 billion) and Iraq ($20.33 billion) were also among the highest holders of external debt in the region, according to the World Bank report. Globally, low and middle-income nations spent a record $1.4 trillion on servicing their foreign debt, which was roughly a 23 per cent increase from 2020 levels, according to the World Bank data. Total external debt owed by all low and middle-income countries hit $8.8 trillion at the end of 2023, an 8 per cent increase since 2020. In February this year, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva said the fund had approved about $33 billion in financing for the region since early 2020, including its funding initiatives in 2024 to help curb the impact of conflicts in the region. 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It is a major recipient of foreign financial assistance, as well as aid from the US and loan packages from the IMF to support its economy. The Trump administration's move to cut US aid for Jordan broke a longstanding agreement between the two sides, leaving Jordan's economy suddenly in the lurch and in need of a financial shot in the arm from either its rich oil-exporting peers in the region or lenders such as the World Bank and IMF. Jordan has received $4 billion from the US since 2021 and it was the third-largest beneficiary of US Aid globally until the fund tap was shut. The US and the 28-member EU economic bloc are among the major donors to some of the most distressed economies in the Middle East. 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Many of these countries are in debt traps of their own making, with their political elites choosing subsidies, generous public sector wages, etc., to maintain power Ryan Bohl, senior Mena analyst, Rane Network The financial support packages from multilateral lenders such as the IMF are 'technocratic in nature and are typically hinged on economic performance and structural reforms rather than political or strategic outcomes', Mr Bohl says. But not many counties in the Middle East have successfully managed to the implement those social, economic, fiscal and structural reforms despite successive support packages, analysts say. Lebanon is a notable example. Under attack from Israel and facing decades of political instability, the country needs recurrent financing to keep its economy afloat. The Lebanese economy went into a tailspin in 2019 when the government defaulted on its Eurobond payments. 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Mena sovereigns are likely to meet their financing needs by $235.9 billion in domestic and $32.3 billion in external debt issuance in 2025, the IMF said in its Mena outlook report. Mr Murray of EFG International says the steady increase in Mena debt-to-GDP ratio over the past decade has been in line with the trend elsewhere in the world, partly because global interest rates have been very low, also because governments during the Covid crisis borrowed heavily to support their economies. For Mena region as a whole the debt-to-GDP ratio has increased from a little over 20 per cent in the past decade to a bit under 50 per cent at present. 'Whilst this is a large increase, it compares favourably with other parts of the world,' he says. This is especially in comparison to US debt-to-GDP that has increased from slightly more than 70 per cent to nearly 120 per cent over the same time period, he adds.
Economy ME
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This surge is driven by: Greater convenience and time savings Access to a wider range of products, including global and local brands Exclusive online deals, flash sales, and app-only discounts Enhanced user experiences through mobile apps and digital payment solutions Mobile-first shopping Most people looking for Eid products now use their smartphones to explore and make their purchases. You can easily use apps from Namshi, Noon and Amazon, thanks to their smooth navigation, tailored product suggestions and instant way to buy. A mobile first website helps busy families and tech users with their Christmas shopping by making it both easier and more convenient. Key shopping categories and spending patterns Fashion and apparel A favorite Eid custom is to put on new outfits. Shops put together dedicated Eid collections just for men, women and children, offering good deals on them. Namshi, H&M, Max Fashion and Noon lead the way, giving customers various holiday outfits and special deals. Gifts and fragrances The demand for gifts during Eid al-Adha is expected to increase by over 150 percent compared to previous years. Popular gift choices include: Fragrance gift sets (especially from Amazon and Namshi) Jewelry and accessories Toys and games for children Home décor and kitchenware Home décor and festive essentials Preparing your home for guests is a major part of Eid traditions. Home owners purchase new table, home decor and other appliances, typically during times when stores are offering them for discounts. Food and beverages While the focus remains on traditional meals and the sacrificial feast, consumers are increasingly seeking gourmet treats, ready-to-eat options, and premium ingredients, often sourced online or through specialty retailers. Read more | Eid al-Adha 2025: Your ultimate guide to festive fashion, gifts, and smart shopping deals Shopping tips The best deals typically go live 1–2 weeks before Eid. Use promo codes and shop via retailer apps for additional savings. Gifting: Surging demand and new preferences 150 percent increase in gift demand The tradition of exchanging gifts is experiencing unprecedented growth, with demand expected to skyrocket by over 150 percent in 2025. This surge is attributed to: The ease of online gifting platforms Curated gift sets and personalized options Social media influence and peer recommendations Popular gift categories Fragrance gift sets (highly popular among both men and women) Branded accessories and jewelry Tech gadgets and smart home devices Children's toys and educational kits Exclusive online deals Today, many companies save their best promotions for those who shop on the web or through their apps such as short-lived flash sales and coupons that customers can only use in the app. As a result, both website visitors and loyal customers are rewarded. Economic pressures and budget-conscious consumers Selective spending amid economic challenges While there is a lot of holiday cheer, money concerns are guiding how people shop in 2025. When goods rise in price, VAT grows and there is worry about jobs, families are becoming choosier about how they spend their money. Researchers found certain observations significant: A focus on affordability and practicality over luxury or fleeting trends Increased use of discounts, coupon codes, and price comparison tools A shift towards essential purchases (food, modest clothing) and away from secondary goods (electronics, high-end furniture) Household budgeting More than half of consumers plan to be cautious with their budgets, even for essential items like food and beverages. Spending on non-essential categories is expected to decline as families prioritize savings and financial security, according to a new research. Mobile-first shopping and role of apps App-driven deals and user experience Mobile apps are leading the way for shoppers looking for Eid goods. Merchants are making deals available only through apps, sending custom messages and smoothing out the payment system to attract more shoppers on their phones. Key mobile shopping trends Flash sales and limited-time offers accessible only via apps Personalized recommendations based on browsing and purchase history Integration of digital wallets and one-click payment options Enhanced customer support through in-app chat and AI assistants Brand strategies and marketing innovations Adapting to changing consumer preferences Brands and retailers are adopting adaptive strategies to cater to more selective and budget-conscious consumers. 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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
How Egyptian designer Emily Mikhaiel is reinventing ethical fashion
By the time Emily Mikhaiel launched Nazeerah, her Egyptian-American fashion label rooted in regenerative farming and circular design, she'd already flirted with composting toilets, kelp farms and aquaponics. 'If I'd known how hard it was going to be, no, I wouldn't have started,' she tells The National, half-laughing, half-serious. A decade in the making, Nazeerah is not just a brand. It is a manifesto of support for Egyptian cotton farmers and not harming people or the planet. Entirely made from sustainably grown Egyptian cotton at the end of their lifespan, Nazeerah pieces will compost down to nothing, and 'return to the soil, where it started,' Mikhaiel explains. The brand's origin story is deeply personal. As a child growing up in the US, Mikhaiel made her first trip to her father's homeland Egypt at the age of 10. 'It was a complete culture shock,' she recalls. 'It wasn't like the Aladdin movie,' she adds, smiling. A family sailing trip from Cairo to upper Egypt, however, left an indelible mark, kick-starting a yearning to learn more about her father's roots and upbringing. She went on to study international relations, environmental policy and law, but it was a course in sustainable business that connected the dots. 'I kept asking myself, wouldn't it be amazing to set a precedent showing things could be done in a better way?' Her early experiments were eclectic. 'I wrote my thesis on composting toilets, but in the US, the red tape was a nightmare,' she says. There were dalliances with kelp farming ('you need a boat, and to scuba dive'); soil regeneration; and carbon sequestration. Then came the breakthrough: a rediscovery of family history. Her grandfather was a cotton broker, she learnt, while her father, picked cotton after school. Her grandmother, Nazeerah, was the local seamstress, crafting garments for the community from local cotton. 'She sewed women and children's clothing made from the cotton that was grown in the surrounding area and produced at the factories,' she explains. The idea of being the link between different elements was exactly what Mikhaiel was searching for. Bringing together sustainable farming, hand weaving and ethical practices, she named the company Nazeerah in her grandmother's honour. Egyptian cotton, famed for its extra-long fibres and exquisite softness, is a byword for luxury. It's why top-tier hotels wrap guests in the smooth, lightweight sheets. But the cotton economy in Egypt has been under pressure for decades, from both environmental degradation and global competition. Since the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1970s, the Nile no longer floods the fields with nutrient-rich silt. Instead, farmers now have to rely on costly chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Mikhaiel found a group working to reverse that trend, training farmers in chemical-free techniques, from composting to beneficial insect cultivation. 'I got extremely lucky by finding an organisation that's working with farmers here in Egypt and teaching them regenerative farming,' she says. From there, the vision took shape. She sought out weavers in upper Egypt who still work on handlooms and then faced down the real challenge: producing women's ready-to-wear that is entirely biodegradable. It meant upending the entire manufacturing process. 'I can't design and then select the fabric and the trims. I have to select the fabric, source the trims and then design from there,' she explains. Cotton thread replaced polyester versions, nylon shoulder pads were swapped for ones made from repurposed baby blankets, while plastic buttons were replaced for locally sourced horn. Even conventional elastic was ditched for a version made with natural latex and organic cotton, while garment bags were reimagined in recyclable paper. The biggest struggle, she realised, was persuading factories to get on board. '99.99% of all clothing is sewn with polyester thread or a poly cotton combination,' she explains, making factories unsure of how other threads will fare in the machinery. 'They're worried that cotton thread will break too easily.' One factory even reused leftover polyester from another brand by mistake. Today, the only non-compostable element left is the zip tape. 'We couldn't find an alternative,' she admits. 'But aside from that, every single part will break down naturally. It has been a huge undertaking to get to this point, but I'm really excited that we're here.' This journey would not have been possible without enlisting textile veteran Mahmoud El-Gazzar to bring local manufacturing expertise. 'He has a lot of experience,' she explains. 'He knows all the factories in Egypt and most of the suppliers, so we were able to get going.' Nazeerah is currently sold online, with a focus on the US market. The typical client? 'She's eco-conscious, she's busy, and she wants to know the story behind her clothes. Whether it's for health, sustainability or ethics – she wants to trust what she's putting on her skin.' Now, expansion is on the horizon. A new warehouse in Egypt will support shipping across the Gulf and Europe. 'There's demand,' Mikhaiel says. 'But so few brands here are doing natural, organic fabrics at this level.' For Mikhaiel, it's about more than just clothes. It's about changing the narrative – of fashion, of sustainability, and of Egypt's place in the global creative economy. She's often the only woman in the room, and, as she puts it candidly, 'probably only sitting at the table because I was born in the US.' Yet here she is, crafting a new kind of clothing – one that honours her past, respects the planet and knows exactly what it's made of.
