January to March is the friendliest quarter of the year to buy from Egypt. Volumes are at their winter peak, the product range is at its widest, and prices are at their most competitive — which is why Q1 is when most new importers load their first container. Here is exactly what is available in January, February and March, and how to combine it into containers that sell through fast.
Q1 at a Glance
| Product | Jan | Feb | Mar | Q1 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges (Navel & Valencia) | Peak | Peak | Peak | Heart of the season — best sizing and pricing |
| Mandarins | Peak | Peak | Late | Strong through February; tail in March |
| Lemons | Peak | Peak | Peak | Winter peak of a year-round product |
| 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 at their best |
| Frozen lines (strawberries, okra, molokhia, spinach, mixes) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Year-round; new-crop strawberry IQF from January |
| Legumes (fava, chickpeas, lentils, beans) & dates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Year-round dry cargo; Ramadan demand peaks in Q1 when Ramadan falls early in the year |
The Q1 Headliner: Citrus at Peak
Q1 is the heart of the Egyptian citrus season. Navel oranges are at full volume through March, Valencia is running strongly on its long December–June arc, mandarins are abundant through February, and lemons hit their winter peak. Sizing options are at their widest mid-season, so buyers who need specific counts (say, 56–64 for retail) get them most easily now. All citrus travels together at +4 to +5 °C — the anchor of the classic winter reefer.
Also in Season: Strawberries, Potatoes and the Winter Range
- Fresh strawberries peak in January–February — Festival and Fortuna varieties with real flavor. Sea freight works to nearby markets; longer lanes take the IQF frozen version, which starts arriving from the new crop in January at the year’s best pricing.
- Spring potatoes begin in January and build to peak by March — the start of Egypt’s biggest vegetable export program.
- Winter vegetables — tomatoes, colored peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, green beans, plus spinach, lettuce and cabbage — are all in full swing, giving mixed loads plenty of variety.
- Frozen and legumes never pause: they are the reliable last pallets that complete any Q1 container.
Suggested Q1 Mixed Loads
Load 1 — The Q1 classic (reefer, +5 °C)
8 pallets oranges + 4 pallets mandarins + 3 pallets lemons + 3 pallets cabbage + 2 pallets spinach. The proven winter box — full breakdown in our winter citrus container guide.
Load 2 — The greengrocer’s box (reefer, +8–10 °C, short lanes)
Tomatoes + peppers + cucumbers + zucchini + green beans in equal shares — a full vegetable counter from one container, ideal for Gulf lanes out of Sokhna with 3–6 day transits.
Load 3 — The frozen value box (reefer, −18 °C)
New-crop frozen strawberries + frozen okra + molokhia + mixed vegetables. January–March is the smartest time to contract strawberry IQF for the whole year.
Load 4 — The dry box (standard container)
Fava beans + chickpeas + lentils + dates — and note that when Ramadan approaches, this box books out early; see our Ramadan order timeline.
Q1 Booking Advice
Two practical notes. First, book reefers early in January — citrus season puts pressure on reefer equipment at Alexandria and Damietta, and the best vessel space goes to buyers who confirm 2–3 weeks ahead. Second, use the quarter to test: with this much variety in season, one Q1 container can trial five products for the price of one booking. For availability in the rest of the year, keep our full 37-product seasons calendar bookmarked.
PEIVANA loads Q1 containers from Alexandria, Damietta, Sokhna and Port Said with mixed loading as standard and same-day quotations.
Plan your Q1 container via the contact page or on WhatsApp.
FAQ: Buying from Egypt in Q1
What is the best product to anchor a Q1 container?
Citrus. Oranges and mandarins are at peak volume and their +4 to +5 °C set-point is compatible with lemons, winter leafies and cured onions or garlic from store — making them the easiest anchor to build a mixed load around.
Are Egyptian fresh strawberries viable by sea freight?
To nearby markets (Gulf via Sokhna, Eastern Mediterranean), yes — with strict cold chain and fast vessels. For longer lanes, most buyers switch to IQF frozen strawberries, which in Q1 come straight from the new crop at the year’s best prices.
When does the Egyptian potato season really start?
The spring crop starts lifting in January, but volumes and sizing hit their stride from late February into March–June. Early-window potatoes carry a price premium; March onward is the sweet spot.
How far ahead should I book a Q1 shipment?
Confirm orders 2–3 weeks before your target loading date. Q1 is high season for Egyptian reefers, and equipment and vessel space tighten, especially out of Alexandria and Damietta.