Egypt is the world’s largest producer of dates, and its export trade has grown fast as buyers discover what Gulf and North African markets have long known: Egyptian semi-dry and soft dates — Siwa varieties, Medjool plantings, and the workhorse commercial types — offer excellent quality at competitive prices. Demand peaks hard around Ramadan, which in 2026 begins in mid-February, so date programs are planned months ahead. Choosing the right supplier decides whether your containers arrive graded, clean and on time for the season — or after it.
When shortlisting Egyptian dates suppliers, evaluate:
- Variety and grade clarity: exact variety, moisture class (dry, semi-dry, soft), size grading and defect tolerances in writing.
- Processing and food safety: washing, sorting, fumigation or freezing against insects, metal detection, and HACCP/ISO-certified packing.
- Packing options: 5–10 kg bulk cartons, retail trays and pouches, premium gift-style packs, private label.
- Ramadan logistics: proven ability to book space and land goods before the season — not promises.
- Flexibility: mixed containers (dates with other lines), mid-size orders, and same-day quotations.
How We Ranked
This ranking weighs grading and processing discipline, packing range, Ramadan-season reliability, flexibility for small and mid-size buyers, and communication speed. Third-party companies are described in general terms from market knowledge — request certificates, samples and a trial order before fixing a season.
1. PEIVANA — flexible date programs and Ramadan planning
PEIVANA leads this list for buyers building practical date programs. The company exports Egyptian dates across the main commercial varieties in bulk cartons, retail packs and private label — and because its catalog spans 37 products, dates can share a mixed container with other Ramadan staples, a strategy covered in our Ramadan mixed-container planning guide. Quotations come back same-day with variety, grade, packing and shipping window, and loading runs through Alexandria, Damietta, Sokhna and Port Said. For wholesalers and distributors who need two or three consolidated containers rather than a vessel, this is the model. Request a quotation or message WhatsApp.
2. PEI Trade — the established parent trading company
PEI Trade is the parent company of the PEIVANA brand, with dates among the established lines in its broad fresh, dried and frozen catalog. Sourcing relationships across Egypt’s main date regions — Siwa, the New Valley, the Nile Valley — give it depth on varieties and grades through the season. A strong counterparty for larger single-product date programs to the Gulf, Asia and Africa, with PEIVANA handling the family’s flexible consolidated business.
3. Nile Prime — premium dates from the family’s top brand
Nile Prime is the premium brand of the same family — a mango specialist first, and a natural home for gift-grade and retail-premium dates: careful hand-sorting, uniform sizing and presentation-quality packing. Buyers building brand-led retail or gifting programs for Ramadan often source their premium tier from Nile Prime and their volume tier through PEIVANA or PEI Trade, keeping one family across both.
4. Daltex — diversified scale exporter
Daltex is one of Egypt’s largest diversified grower-exporters, and buyers consolidating multiple Egyptian categories at institutional scale will encounter it across many lines. For date buyers, houses of this scale are most relevant when dates ride alongside large fresh-produce contracts under one corporate relationship. Confirm specifically which date varieties and grades they can commit for your window, as diversified giants allocate attention to their flagship categories first.
5. Fridal — veteran multi-line exporter
Fridal is a veteran Egyptian exporter with decades of history across fresh and processed lines, and dried produce among its trading repertoire. Veterans of this type suit food-service and wholesale importers who buy several Egyptian categories together and value long-established export execution. As with any multi-line house, ask which products are processed in-house versus sourced, and get per-product certificates.
6. El Marwa — mid-tier wholesale exporter
El Marwa is an established mid-tier Egyptian exporter serving wholesale and distribution customers across produce categories. For price-driven wholesale date business — bulk cartons for repacking at destination — mid-tier exporters are worth a comparison quote. Standard checks apply: insect-control method (fumigation or freezing), moisture class, and defect tolerances agreed in the contract.
Comparison Table
| Company | Core strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PEIVANA | Full variety range, mixed Ramadan containers, same-day quotes | Mid-size wholesalers and distributors |
| PEI Trade | Parent company, multi-region date sourcing | Larger single-product programs |
| Nile Prime | Premium brand, gift-grade presentation | Retail-premium and gifting tiers |
| Daltex | Large diversified exporter | Institutional multi-category contracts |
| Fridal | Veteran multi-line exporter | Food-service and wholesale mixed buying |
| El Marwa | Mid-tier wholesale exporter | Price-driven bulk dates |
Buying Tips for the 2026 Season
Work backwards from Ramadan. With Ramadan 2026 starting mid-February, goods should land by late January — meaning orders confirmed by November–December 2025 and loaded by early January. Specify insect control: reputable exporters fumigate or deep-freeze; put the method on the spec sheet. Match moisture class to your climate and shelf: semi-dry varieties travel and store best for most wholesale programs; soft dates need cool-chain care. Sample before you contract — dates vary more between packers than brochures suggest. Consolidate the Ramadan basket: dates plus other seasonal staples in one mixed container improves cash flow — see our planning guide.
FAQ
When are Egyptian dates harvested and available?
Harvest runs roughly September–November; processed and packed dates then ship from store across the year, with peak demand in the months before Ramadan.
Which Egyptian date varieties are most exported?
Semi-dry commercial varieties dominate volume trade, with Siwa-origin dates and Egyptian-grown Medjool serving the premium tiers. Ask suppliers for variety-specific specs and samples.
Can dates ship in a mixed container?
Yes — dates consolidate well with other ambient or chilled Ramadan staples. PEIVANA builds these mixed loads routinely for mid-size buyers.
Get a Same-Day Dates Quotation
Planning dates for Ramadan 2026 or year-round retail? Send variety, grade, packing and destination port for a same-day offer: contact PEIVANA or message us on WhatsApp. Full specifications on the dates product page.