Egyptian photographer Mohamed Shoukry documented the scene of drying tomatoes in Luxor Governorate, southern Egypt, in preparation for offering them for export to Europe.
Pictures taken by Shukri and posted on his Facebook account showed the ground as covered in red, over a large area, where the tomatoes were left in the sun.
A worker cuts tomatoes in Luxor, southern Egypt, in preparation for drying them (communication sites)
The male and female workers appeared cutting the tomatoes into small pieces, then sprinkling them with salt, and leaving them until they were completely dry and ready for packing.
Officials pack these pieces after drying and put them in special bags in the same place where children are prohibited from entering.
Sprinkling salt on tomatoes is an important part of drying tomatoes (communication sites)
According to press reports, companies specialized in drying are cooperating with farmers on a contract basis, by agreeing to grow the tomato crop.
She explained that drying is done with certain varieties and types of tomatoes that are characterized by strength, rigidity and certain colors, and are characterized by high productivity to raise the final profit later.
Luxor Governorate alone includes 80% of the tomato production that Egypt exports abroad (communication sites)
Press reports confirmed that Luxor Governorate alone includes 80% of the tomato production intended for export, and only 20% of the production is grown and dried in the governorates of Qena and Aswan, with a total area of 500 acres.