The Barakat Fruit Farm desires to increase their share of the exportable grape market in Egypt. Unfortunately, the grape cultivars currently cultivated by the farm bear fruit after the early market window to the European Union when prices are high. An analysis of the company, competition, consumer, market channel, and conditions, provides insight into possible solutions to the challenges faced by the farm management. Designed for undergraduate classroom use, this case encourages students to think outside of traditional production techniques to arrive at solutions that are viable from both crop culture and financial standpoints.

The growth and yield of the dry seed cv 'Giza 6' and green pod cv 'Tema' were examined for different summer and fall sowing dates under Assiut conditions. The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut branch of El-azhar University, during 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. The tested sowing dates were Feb. 15th, March 5th and March 25th (in summer season) and Aug. 15th, Sept. 5th and Sept 25th (in fall season). Planting 'Giza 6' cv. in March 5th significantly increased the number of pods/node, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, weight of 100 seeds (g), as well as total dry seed yield kg/fed in both years. Conversely, late summer planting (March 25th) showed significant decrease of number of pods/node, number of pods/plant seeds/pod, weight of 100 seeds, as well as total dry seed yield kg/fed. Furthermore, superior performance of 'Tema' cultivar was observed in March 5th with respect to flowering date, pod setting date, number of pods/node, number of pods/plant and total yield of green pods ton/fed. Planting either 'Giza 6' or 'Tema' cultivars in Sept. 5th significantly increased number of pod/node, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, total dry seed yield and total green pod yield. On contrary, Sept. 25th significantly decreased number of pod/node, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, total dry seed yield and total green pod yield. Therefore, Sept 5th was the best favorable fall sowing date for planting the dry seed 'Giza 6' and snap bean 'Tema' cvs. under Assiut conditions.