Short answer: Egypt exports oranges from November through May — Navel oranges peak November–March, Valencia follows March–May. Standard export calibres range 53–88mm, packed in 10kg or 15kg cartons. Egypt is one of the world’s largest citrus exporters with competitive pricing and established logistics through Alexandria and Damietta.
Cairo Fields at a glance
| Crop | Egyptian oranges (Navel, Valencia) |
| Markets served | Gulf, Europe, East Africa, Russia/CIS |
| Buyer type | Retail, wholesale, juice/processing |
| Packaging supported | 10kg, 15kg, 18kg cartons; 1–5kg net bags; custom |
| Documents supported | Phytosanitary, EUR.1, SFDA, GlobalG.A.P., certificate of origin |
| Shipment model | FOB Alexandria/Damietta — 40ft reefer containers (4–6°C) |
| Ready to source? | Request a Quote → |
Cairo Fields supports international buyers sourcing Egyptian oranges through crop availability planning, grower coordination, packing supervision, export documentation, and shipment readiness for Gulf, African, and European markets.
Egypt is one of the largest citrus exporters in the world, and oranges are the crop most international buyers ask about first. For an importer, the appeal is straightforward: Nile Delta growing conditions, competitive pricing, and a clear seasonal window that allows forward planning rather than spot buying.
This guide covers what you actually need to know before sourcing — when the season runs, how to choose between Navel and Valencia, which calibres and carton formats buyers specify, and how documentation requirements shift between Gulf and European destinations.
The Egyptian orange export calendar
The Egyptian oranges export season runs roughly November through May. Within that window, the two main export varieties peak at different times:
- Washington Navel peaks November through March. This is the early- and mid-season variety and the backbone of most export programs.
- Valencia follows March through May, extending the season into spring as Navel availability tails off.
The practical consequence for buyers is that the variety you can source depends on when you ship. A program landing in December is a Navel program; a program landing in April is usually Valencia. Buyers running supply across the full season often plan a seasonal switch from Navel to Valencia rather than committing to one variety year-round.
Exact dates shift slightly by growing region and seasonal conditions, so confirm the window against your target ETD before locking in a specification.
Navel vs Valencia: which one fits your program
The two varieties are not interchangeable. They suit different buyer use cases.
Washington Navel
- Seedless, easy to peel, high juice content
- The strongest choice for retail and fresh-fruit programs where appearance and eating quality drive the sale
- Main export variety — widest availability and calibre range during peak months
Valencia
- Late-season variety with excellent colour and sweetness
- Holds well and juices well, which makes it a common choice for food service and processing as well as late-season retail
- Extends supply into spring when Navel is no longer available
A third option, Baladi (the Egyptian local variety), is available for specific markets that ask for it, but Navel and Valencia cover the large majority of export demand.
If you are unsure which fits, the deciding factors are usually your shipping window (which constrains variety availability) and your end use (retail shelf vs juice/processing).
Common calibres and carton formats
Export oranges are graded by calibre — the diameter of the fruit in millimetres. Egyptian export grading typically covers a 53–88mm range, and buyers specify a calibre band based on end use:
- 72–88mm — larger fruit, typical for retail where size sells
- 53–72mm — smaller fruit, common for processing and food service
Carton format is the other core specification. Standard export options include:
- 10kg cartons — the standard export carton
- 15kg cartons
- 18kg cartons
- 5kg net bags — retail-ready
- 3kg net bags
- Custom carton dimensions to buyer specification
Labelling is specified alongside the carton: private label, neutral label, or supplier label. The combination of variety, calibre band, carton weight, and label is effectively your product specification — and getting it agreed upfront is what keeps shipments consistent load to load.
Gulf vs Europe: documentation considerations
The documentation package is where Gulf and European programs diverge, and it is worth understanding before you place an order.
Every shipment, regardless of destination, ships with a baseline set:
- Phytosanitary certificate (issued by Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture plant protection authority)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
For European destinations, add the EUR.1 movement certificate, which supports preferential tariff treatment under the EU–Egypt trade agreement. European buyers also more frequently require GlobalG.A.P. certified sourcing, which has to be arranged from certified farms — so flag it early if your program needs it. See European markets for more.
For Gulf destinations, requirements centre on destination-country compliance — for example, SFDA-aligned documentation for Saudi Arabia. Standards vary across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, so confirm the specific importing country’s requirements rather than assuming a single Gulf standard. See Gulf markets for more.
In both cases, the documents need to be prepared before loading starts, not chased after the container ships. That is a coordination question more than a paperwork one — which is why it sits inside export coordination rather than being treated as an afterthought.
Common buyer mistakes
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Confusing Navel and Valencia windows. Requesting Navels in April or Valencia in December means either unavailability or inferior quality from cold storage. Match your ETD to the correct variety window.
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Specifying calibre without tolerance. Ordering “72–88mm” without stating acceptable percentage outside range leads to arrival disputes. Always include tolerance (e.g. “max 5% below 72mm”).
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Ignoring EUR.1 for European destinations. Shipping without the EUR.1 movement certificate means the importer pays full tariff instead of preferential rates under the EU–Egypt Association Agreement. This must be arranged before loading.
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Requesting GlobalG.A.P. mid-season. Certification is farm-level and must be in place before harvest. Flag this requirement at inquiry stage so sourcing is directed to certified growers.
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Mixing retail and processing specs in one container. Retail calibres (72–88mm) and juice calibres (53–72mm) require different grading runs. Combining them in one load creates confusion at packing and on arrival.
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Not confirming Brix levels for early-season shipments. November Navels may not have reached optimal sweetness. Professional exporters test Brix before harvest — ask for confirmation before committing to early ETDs.
How to request availability and pricing
To get an accurate availability and pricing response, share these parameters upfront:
- Variety — Navel, Valencia, or a seasonal switch
- Calibre band — e.g. 72–88mm for retail, 53–72mm for processing
- Carton format and label — 10kg / 15kg / net bags, and labelling preference
- Destination country and port of discharge
- Target ETD window — which also determines variety availability
- Volume — per shipment and, if recurring, per season
The more specific the brief, the faster and more accurate the response. Buyers building a recurring program can discuss committed seasonal volumes and specification alignment in a pre-season planning call.
Full product detail is on the Egyptian oranges page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Egyptian orange export season?
Egypt exports oranges from November through July. Navel oranges ship November to March. Valencia oranges ship March through July. The exact start depends on Brix levels and weather — your exporter should confirm readiness against your target ETD.
What sizes of Egyptian oranges are available for export?
Standard export calibres range from 40mm to 92mm. The most traded sizes for retail are 64–88mm (Navels) and 60–80mm (Valencia). Smaller calibres go to juice processors; larger calibres carry a premium for retail display.
What is the difference between Navel and Valencia oranges from Egypt?
Navels are seedless, easy to peel, sweeter, and best for fresh eating. They ship November to March. Valencias have seeds, thinner skin, higher juice content, and ship March to July. Buyer choice depends on end use — retail table fruit vs juice vs both.
What packaging do Egyptian orange exporters use?
Standard formats are 15kg open-top cartons, 10kg cartons, and 8kg gift boxes. Net bags (1kg–3kg) inside cartons are common for European retail. Labelling can be private label, neutral, or supplier-branded depending on buyer requirements.
What documents are needed to import Egyptian oranges?
The core set includes: commercial invoice, packing list, phytosanitary certificate (issued by Egyptian Plant Quarantine), certificate of origin, bill of lading, and — for some destinations — a cold treatment or fumigation certificate. Requirements vary by importing country.
Request Orange Availability & Export Pricing — send your variety, calibre, carton format, destination, and volume, and we will come back with availability and pricing for your window.