Q1 (January–March) is the widest quarter for buying from Egypt. Navel oranges ship to 1 March, Valencia ships fresh from January with best quality January–April, mandarins and lemons are shipping, and the winter vegetable range is in full swing. Oranges ship in full 40 ft reefers only and are never loaded with mandarins or lemons.
Last updated: October 2026
Q1 at a Glance
| Product | Jan | Feb | Mar | Q1 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges (Navel & Valencia) | Navel; Valencia fresh | Navel; Valencia fresh | Valencia (Navel exports end 1 March) | Navel best early in the season; Valencia best January–April |
| Mandarins | Peak | Peak | Late | Strong through February; tail in March |
| Lemons | Shipping | Shipping | Shipping | Lemons ship from the end of September |
| Fresh strawberries | Peak | Peak | Late | Best fruit Jan–Feb; short lanes / air |
| Potatoes (spring crop) | Start | Building | Peak | Main export crop of the year begins |
| Garlic | — | Fresh green | Fresh green | New-season green garlic from February |
| Sweet potatoes | Yes | Yes | — | Season closes in February |
| Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Full winter vegetable range |
| Zucchini, green beans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cool-season staples |
| Spinach, lettuce, cabbage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Winter leafies |
| Frozen lines (strawberries, okra, molokhia, spinach, mixes) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Year-round; new-crop strawberry IQF from January |
| Legumes (fava, chickpeas, lentils, beans) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Year-round dry cargo |
| Dates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Ship in reefer containers; Ramadan demand peaks when Ramadan falls early in the year |
The Q1 Headliner: Citrus
Navel contracts start in early November; exports open when the Export Council announces the opening (15 December in each of the last two seasons) and run to 1 March. Navel quality is best early in the season. Valencia ships fresh January–May, then from cold storage to the end of August, subject to the Export Council’s notice. Valencia quality is best January–April. Most requested counts per 15 kg carton are 48–88 for Navel and 72–113 for Valencia. Mandarin exports open when the Export Council announces the opening of the season (early to mid December). Lemons ship from the end of September.
Oranges ship in full 40 ft reefers only (1,664 cartons of 15 kg = 24.96 t), including trial orders, and are never loaded with mandarins or lemons. Full specification on the Peivana oranges page.
Also in Season: Strawberries, Potatoes and the Winter Range
- Fresh strawberries peak in January–February. Longer lanes take the IQF frozen version, which starts from the new crop in January.
- Spring potatoes begin in January and build to peak by March.
- Winter vegetables: tomatoes, colored peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, green beans, spinach, lettuce and cabbage are all in season.
- Frozen and legumes are available year-round.
Mixed Containers in Q1
There is no fixed mix. Each mixed container is built around the buyer’s request, and each combination is agreed case by case against the carrying temperature and ventilation each product needs, then confirmed after approval.
- Fresh produce travels in reefers, and each fresh combination is checked against every product’s carrying temperature and ventilation needs.
- Frozen lines run at −18 °C and never share a box with fresh produce; see the frozen mixed container guide.
- Legumes ship in dry containers; see the legumes mixed container guide.
| Case | Rule |
|---|---|
| Oranges with mandarins or lemons | Not loaded together |
| Oranges with any other product | On request, subject to approval |
| Oranges on their own | Full 40 ft reefer only (1,664 cartons of 15 kg = 24.96 t), including trial orders |
More in our mixed produce containers guide.
Q1 Booking Advice
Q1 is high season for Egyptian reefers, so send your request early. Navel exports end on 1 March, so Navel buyers should plan within that window. For the rest of the year, keep our seasons calendar bookmarked.
Delivery terms: CFR / CIF to your port, or FOB Egypt.
FAQ: Buying from Egypt in Q1
Which oranges ship in Q1?
Navel ships to 1 March, with best quality early in the season. Valencia ships fresh from January, with best quality January–April.
Can oranges go in a mixed container?
Oranges are never loaded with mandarins or lemons. Any other mixed container that includes oranges is on request, subject to approval. Otherwise oranges ship in full 40 ft reefers, including trial orders.
Are Egyptian fresh strawberries viable by sea freight?
To nearby markets, with strict cold chain and fast vessels. For longer lanes, most buyers switch to IQF frozen strawberries from the new crop.
When does the Egyptian potato season start?
The spring crop starts lifting in January, with volumes and sizing building from late February into March–June.
Ask for today’s price for Q1
Tell us your products, grade, packing and destination port, and ask for today’s price. Email: [email protected]