Country of origin: Egypt
Egyptian clover is a perennial leguminous plant that features trifoliate leaves and blue-purple flowers. This plant belongs to the pea and bean family and is considered one of the most important forage crops worldwide. The egyptian clover plant is a natural source of nitrogen. It hosts symbiotic soil bacteria known as rhizobia in the root nodules. These bacteria fix and precipitate nitrogen from the air in the soil, thus making the nitrogen available to other plants.
The egyptian clover plant is able to adapt greatly to various types of agriculture and weather conditions, as it is characterized by its ability to tolerate drought. This is due to its powerful root system that can extend up to 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters) deep into the soil to search for water and nutrients. Its roots average 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) in length, while the top of the plant is relatively short. The plant itself reaches a height of approximately 2-4 feet (60 to 120 cm). Its cultivation is preferable in well-drained soil, because wet soil can increase the spread of various diseases.
Types Of Alfalfa
Egyptian clover:
It is grown especially for cow fodder and nutrition, contributing to an increase in dairy cow productivity, and is characterized by the excellent quality of its seeds. It was first cultivated in Egypt, and is widespread in irrigated crop systems in West and South Asia, and is used in commercial cultivation in many temperate countries during the winter. Currently, India is the largest producer of egyptian clover, due to the similar environmental conditions and temperatures to its native land in Egypt.
Alfalfa:
This alfalfa is characterized by its distinctive purple flowers and is considered the world’s first forage crop due to its many benefits and advantages. Its leaves grow at the beginning of spring, and the plant blooms from May to October, depending on the temperature and altitude of the region.
red clover
The reason for its name is due to its beautiful red flowers, and it is widely used in the pharmaceutical industries. It was also widely used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, arthritis, skin disorders and respiratory problems such as asthma, in addition to treating women’s health problems.
white clover:
It has triangular leaves and is slightly wider than other types of egyptian clover. It has a long and thin stem with a soft texture. It is characterized by its ability to tolerate excess water in winter and dry periods. It is one of the very leafy types of clover.
Fine leaf clover:
It grows in areas with more than 400 mm of rainfall per year. It has a deep root system compared to other leguminous plants, an abundance of densely growing leaves, and grows well in all types of soils such as sandy, deep, well-drained loam and fertile gravelly.
The many uses of egyptian clover:
Alfalfa is one of the most important livestock feed crops in the world. It is cultivated in more than 70 countries due to its great adaptability and durability in various conditions. It is used for grazing horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and dairy cows.
Alfalfa can also be used as a source of hay, as stock fodder, as green manure, and as a ground cover crop. There is also the possibility of alfalfa being ingested by humans, in the form of sprouts, rather than seeds. It is worth noting that it has high levels of many essential vitamins, such as vitamins A, B, D, E, and K, in addition to being rich in minerals that are beneficial to the body.
Some believe that alfalfa has multiple medicinal properties that contribute to fighting arthritis, infections of the urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, and prostate disorders. As a dietary supplement, it is also used to lower cholesterol levels. It can be taken as tablets or capsules, added to tea, or taken as a leaf.
The FDA advises that children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems avoid consuming raw alfalfa sprouts.
Alfalfa is considered a complete food for animals because it contains a high percentage of protein. It also contains a sufficient number of amino acids that help to produce milk. It is also rich in calcium. Alfalfa also contains a percentage of protein and vitamins, the most important of which are D, E, and K.
Some researchers assert that alfalfa is in fact the most important crop in the world, as it is produced in large quantities. However, most alfalfa production is used for purposes other than being eaten directly by humans, such as for use in the meat and dairy industry. If there is no alfalfa production, the global meat and dairy industry will be greatly affected and may become less efficient.
export volume of Egyptian clover
The size of the alfalfa market is expected to witness significant growth from 2023 to 2028, when it is expected to reach from $77.00 billion to $106.00 billion. This growth will be achieved at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.60% during the indicated forecast period.
In the short term, it is expected that a significant growth will be achieved in this market due to the increasing demand for high-quality hay for livestock and the increase in the number of livestock. The use of alfalfa hay has become critical in animal nutrition due to its high levels of crude protein. egyptian clover hay improves the faster growth and development of animals and contributes to an increase in milk yield. Hence, it is expected that the demand for alfalfa hay as a food source for animals will continue to continue, which will boost the growth of this market over the future forecast period.
Growing demand for dairy and animal products, shrinking land for grazing animals, growth in the field of high yielding livestock, and rising demand for livestock feed are cited as some of the factors driving the growth of the alfalfa hay market globally.
In 2021, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced an agreement between India and the United States to facilitate access for their agricultural products to each other’s markets. India agreed to remove heat treatment requirements for US-origin alfalfa hay and allow pest mitigation methods used in the US for alfalfa hay. The Indian government has made it clear that importing American alfalfa hay for animal feed will not require Non-GMO certificates.
Read About: Sunflower Seeds
Major exporting countries of Egyptian Clover
Alfalfa is an important crop in many countries, and India, Australia, China, Argentina and the United States of America are among the most important exporting countries. Alfalfa is a natural source of nitrogen, as it contains educational bacteria known as “Rhizobia” in its roots, which contribute to the conversion of nitrogen from the air into the soil, beneficial to other plants. Thus, nitrogen is available in sufficient quantities to plants and improves their growth and development.
The role of AR in helping you export Egyptian Clover
AR Company plays a vital and effective role in helping me to export egyptian clover successfully. This company has extensive experience in the field of international trade and maritime transport, which makes it a reliable partner in the export process. AR facilitates all logistical and administrative procedures related to export, from proper packaging of alfalfa to safe and efficient customs formalities and international shipping.
Thanks to its strong international network of relations, AR helps to reach new and diversified markets for egyptian clover, which contributes to enhancing the commercial value of the product and increasing the economic opportunities for the company and me. AR’s team is dedicated to providing innovative solutions tailored to meet export needs, making it the ideal partner for success and sustainable growth in the alfalfa export market.
