Short answer: Egypt exports onions year-round, with peak availability February–August. Red onions dominate Gulf and East African demand; golden onions serve West Africa and Europe. Standard packing is 25kg mesh bags, with containers holding 26–28 tonnes. Onions ship ambient or reefer (0–3°C) from Alexandria depending on transit time.
Cairo Fields at a glance
| Crop | Egyptian onions (red, golden) |
| Markets served | Gulf, East Africa, West Africa, Europe |
| Buyer type | Wholesale, food service, industrial |
| Packaging supported | 25kg mesh bags, 10kg bags, 50kg bags, jumbo bags (1000–1250kg), cartons |
| Documents supported | Phytosanitary, certificate of origin, SFDA, KEPHIS, FDA Ghana |
| Shipment model | FOB Alexandria — ventilated or reefer containers (0–3°C) |
| Ready to source? | Request a Quote → |
Cairo Fields supports international buyers sourcing Egyptian onions through crop availability planning, grower coordination, packing supervision, export documentation, and shipment readiness for Gulf, African, and European markets.
Egyptian onions are one of the simplest fresh produce categories for an importer to convert into a full-container program. The product is hardy, the shelf life is long relative to other fresh vegetables, and Egypt’s competitive pricing on volume makes onions a natural starting point for buyers in the Gulf and Africa who want consistent supply without the complexity of more perishable categories.
This guide covers what buyers need to know before placing an onion order — variety selection (red vs golden), calibre sizing, packaging formats, container loading, and how documentation differs across Gulf and African destinations.
Why Egyptian onions
Egypt is consistently among the world’s top five onion-producing countries. For importers, the practical advantages are:
- Year-round availability from overlapping growing regions (Upper Egypt harvests early; the Nile Delta follows)
- Competitive pricing on volume — Egyptian onion pricing undercuts most Mediterranean and Indian-origin supply for Gulf and African ports
- Natural shelf life — properly cured Egyptian onions hold 2–3 months in ambient storage, reducing cold-chain dependency
- Proximity — shorter transit times to Gulf (5–7 days) and East Africa (8–12 days) compared to alternative origins
The bulk-trade nature of onions also means that logistics are simpler than for more delicate produce. Onions tolerate temperature variation better, suffer less transit damage, and can ship in ventilated containers rather than strictly reefer — which lowers freight cost for price-sensitive markets.
Red onions vs golden onions
Egyptian growers produce both red and golden (yellow) onion varieties. The choice is driven by destination market preference, not quality difference.
Red onions
- Deep purple-red skin, white flesh with red rings
- Stronger, sharper flavour — preferred raw and in salads
- Primary demand: Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar), South Asia, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania)
- Varieties include Giza Red and local hybrids bred for colour depth and skin tightness
Golden onions
- Yellow-brown outer skin, pale yellow-white flesh
- Milder, sweeter when cooked — the standard cooking onion worldwide
- Primary demand: West Africa (Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire), some European and Central Asian programs
- Varieties include Giza 6, Beheri, and Spanish-type hybrids
Many buyers run a single-variety program (red only or golden only) matched to their retail or wholesale market. However, mixed-variety containers are possible for distributors serving diverse end-buyers.
If you are unsure which variety your market expects, red onions are the safer default for Gulf and East Africa; golden onions are the default for West Africa.
The Egyptian onion export calendar
Unlike citrus, onions do not have a single fixed window. Egypt’s climate allows staggered harvesting across regions:
- February–April: Early harvest from Upper Egypt (Sohag, Assiut, Minya). These are the first onions of the season and command slight premiums.
- April–July: Main Delta harvest (Beheira, Gharbia, Dakahlia). This is peak availability and the most competitive pricing window.
- August–October: Late-season and stored onions. Availability tightens; pricing rises.
- November–January: Off-season — limited supply from cold storage or late planting. Not all exporters can supply this window.
The practical takeaway: March through July is the widest availability window with the strongest pricing. Buyers running year-round programs should plan heavier purchasing during this period and discuss storage or phased-shipment arrangements for the off-months.
Sizing and calibre grades
Onions are graded by transverse diameter — measured across the widest point of the bulb. Standard Egyptian export grades:
| Grade | Calibre | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 30–50mm | Processing, dehydration |
| Medium | 40–60mm | Retail (some markets), food service |
| Large | 50–70mm | Retail, wholesale — most traded export grade |
| Jumbo | 60–80mm | Premium retail, hospitality |
| Super Jumbo | 80mm+ | Specialty / buyer-specific |
The 50–70mm band is the most commonly specified grade for Gulf and African wholesale markets. Retail programs in the Gulf often request 60–80mm for shelf presence. African wholesale markets tend to accept a wider tolerance (40–70mm mixed) which simplifies grading and improves pricing.
Calibre tolerance is negotiated per program — typically ±5mm around the stated band, with a maximum percentage (usually 5–10%) allowed outside the band.
Packaging formats
Onion packaging is market-driven. The three dominant formats for Egyptian onion exports:
Mesh bags (most common)
- 25kg red or white mesh bags — the standard for Gulf and African markets. Allows airflow, easy visual inspection, stackable.
- 10kg mesh bags — used for retail or where handling is manual and 25kg is impractical.
- 50kg mesh bags — used in some African wholesale markets (Ghana, Nigeria) where the trade operates in larger units.
Jumbo bags (bulk)
- 1000–1250kg ventilated jumbo bags (also called “big bags” or FIBC) — used for industrial buyers, large wholesalers, or markets with mechanical offloading. Maximises container payload.
Cartons
- 18–20kg ventilated cartons — occasionally specified for premium programs or European-facing supply. Higher cost, better presentation, less bruising.
For most Gulf and African programs, 25kg mesh bags are the default unless the buyer specifies otherwise. Bag colour (red mesh, white mesh, orange mesh) can be specified — some markets have strong colour preferences for the bag itself.
Container loading programs
Onions are bulk-friendly, and most buyers source in full-container loads (FCL). Here is what standard container programs look like:
40ft reefer or ventilated container:
- 25kg bags: approximately 1,050–1,120 bags = 26–28 metric tons
- Jumbo bags (1,000kg): approximately 26–28 bags = 26–28 tons
- Set temperature: 0–3°C for reefer; ambient ventilation for short transits
20ft container:
- 25kg bags: approximately 520–560 bags = 13–14 metric tons
Ventilated vs reefer: For short-transit destinations (Gulf: 5–7 days), ventilated containers are commonly used and reduce freight cost. For longer routes (West Africa: 12–18 days), reefer is recommended to maintain quality through transit.
Building a recurring program
Onions suit monthly or bi-weekly shipping programs better than one-off spot purchases. A recurring program lets your exporter:
- Reserve consistent grading and sizing at the farm level
- Negotiate better rates across a committed season volume
- Align documentation and logistics in advance rather than scrambling per shipment
A typical Gulf buyer might run 2–4 containers per month across the main season (March–July), stepping down to 1–2 containers in the off-season depending on storage availability.
Quality and curing
Export-quality Egyptian onions must be:
- Fully cured — dry outer skins, no green necks, no moisture at the neck
- Clean — free of soil, minimal root remnants
- Sound — no sprouting, no soft rot, no mechanical damage
- Uniform — within the specified calibre band with minimal outliers
Curing is the critical step. Onions harvested and rushed to port without proper field or shed curing will break down in transit. A reliable exporter manages the curing window (typically 10–14 days post-harvest) as part of the program timeline — buyers should factor this into ETD planning rather than pushing for the earliest possible ship date.
Documentation by destination
The baseline documentation for every onion shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Phytosanitary certificate (Egyptian Plant Quarantine)
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading
Gulf-specific requirements
- Saudi Arabia (SFDA): Conformity certificate aligned with SASO standards; labelling in Arabic; specific MRL (maximum residue limit) compliance
- UAE: Municipality import permit; Emirates Authority for Standardization compliance
- Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain: Varying import permit and labelling requirements — confirm per destination
Africa-specific requirements
- Ghana (FDA): Food and Drugs Authority import permit; certificate of analysis may be requested
- Kenya (KEPHIS): Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service phytosanitary clearance; import permit
- Tanzania, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire: Requirements vary — typically phytosanitary certificate + certificate of origin + importer-arranged permits
Documentation preparation is covered under export coordination. The key point: confirm destination-country requirements at the inquiry stage, not after loading.
Common buyer mistakes
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Pushing for earliest ETD without allowing curing time. Onions need 10–14 days of field or shed curing post-harvest. Rushing to port with green-necked, under-cured onions leads to rot and weight loss in transit.
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Not specifying red vs golden variety. “Egyptian onions” without a colour specification creates assumptions. Gulf and East Africa default to red; West Africa defaults to golden. State it explicitly.
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Ordering reefer for short-transit Gulf routes. For 5–7 day routes to Jeddah or Jebel Ali, ventilated containers work well and save freight cost. Reefer is justified for 12+ day routes to West Africa.
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Accepting wide calibre tolerance to save cost. A 35–75mm mixed specification is cheaper but creates sorting problems for the buyer on arrival. If your end market expects uniformity, pay for tighter grading (e.g. 50–70mm, ±5%).
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Ignoring mesh bag colour conventions. Some Gulf markets expect red mesh; others expect white. African markets may have their own preferences. Confirm bag colour and any branding requirements at order stage.
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Planning year-round supply without discussing off-season. August–January is limited supply from storage. Discuss off-season capacity and pricing upfront rather than assuming year-round availability at peak-season rates.
How to request availability and pricing
To get an accurate response, include:
- Variety — Red, golden, or both
- Calibre — e.g. 50–70mm, 60–80mm, or a tolerance range
- Packaging — 25kg mesh bags, 10kg bags, jumbo bags, or other
- Destination country and port
- Volume — tons per shipment and frequency (one-off or recurring)
- Target ETD — when you need the first shipment to sail
Pricing is quoted FOB Egyptian port (typically Alexandria or Damietta) or CFR/CIF to destination depending on buyer preference. Onion pricing fluctuates with season — early season and late season carry premiums over peak availability months.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Egyptian onion export season?
Egypt exports onions year-round due to overlapping growing regions, but the main export window — and best pricing — runs February through August. The Delta harvest (April–July) offers the widest availability and most competitive rates.
What is the difference between Egyptian red and golden onions?
Red onions have deep purple-red skin and stronger flavour, preferred in Gulf, South Asian, and East African markets. Golden onions have yellow-brown skin and milder taste, standard in West African and some European markets. The choice is market-driven.
What sizes of Egyptian onions are available for export?
Standard export calibres range from 30mm to 80mm+. The most traded export grade is 50–70mm for wholesale and 60–80mm for retail. Sizing is negotiated per program with a standard ±5mm tolerance.
How are Egyptian export onions packaged?
The standard format is 25kg mesh bags for Gulf and African markets. Other options include 10kg bags, 50kg bags, jumbo bags (1,000–1,250kg), and ventilated cartons. Bag colour and labelling are specified per buyer.
How many tons of onions fit in a container?
A 40ft container holds 26–28 metric tons in 25kg mesh bags. A 20ft container holds 13–14 tons. Jumbo bags can push the upper end of payload capacity.
Request Onion Availability & Pricing — share your variety, size, packaging, destination, and volume, and we will respond with current-season availability and pricing.