The fourth quarter is when Egypt turns back into a winter powerhouse. October, November and December close out the mango and pomegranate seasons, bring in the date harvest, open the winter vegetable program, and — the headline event — start the citrus season that will run deep into spring. If you are planning egypt produce october november december, this is the quarter where programs are locked, first citrus vessels sail, and mixed containers get genuinely interesting again.
As always, this guide sits under our full Egyptian produce seasons calendar — use that pillar to see how Q4 connects to the rest of the year.
Q4 at a Glance: What’s Available October–December
| Product | October | November | December | Notes for buyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oranges (Navel & Valencia) | — | First Navel (late Nov) | Navel volume; Valencia opens | Season officially opens in December |
| Mandarins | — | Season opens | Peak building | Nov–Mar window; early fruit sells fast |
| Lemons | Peak | Peak | Peak | Year-round, best window Aug–Feb |
| Dates | Fresh harvest | Peak (Siwi, Medjool) | Strong | Sep–Dec harvest; Ramadan buyers book now |
| Pomegranate | Peak Wonderful | Season closes | — | Last full month is October |
| Mango | Late Keitt | — | — | Final shipments early October |
| Sweet potatoes | Peak | Peak | Strong | Aug–Feb; Beauregard for EU programs |
| Winter vegetables | Begin | Volume builds | Full range | Tomatoes, peppers, green beans, spinach, cabbage |
| Fresh strawberries | — | Season opens | Volume (air + sea) | Nov–Mar window |
| Potatoes | Autumn crop | Autumn crop | — | Aug–Nov, then spring crop from January |
Month by Month
October: The Handover Month
October is a handover: the last Keitt mango leaves in the first days of the month, pomegranate hits peak Wonderful volume, and the date harvest is in full swing. Sweet potato is at its best, autumn potatoes and stored onions keep dry loads moving, and the first winter vegetables — tomatoes, peppers, green beans — begin cutting. Guava continues from Q3.
November: Dates Peak, Citrus Knocks
November belongs to dates (Siwi, and premium Medjool) at peak availability — this is when Ramadan programs are typically contracted — plus opening mandarins and, from late in the month, the first Navel oranges. Fresh strawberries start, mostly by air early on. Winter vegetables build volume fast, and sweet potato programs to Europe are at cruising speed.
December: Citrus Season Opens for Real
December is the true start of Egypt’s flagship export season: Navel volume, opening Valencia, mandarins accelerating and peak lemons. The full winter vegetable basket — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, spinach — is available, and strawberries move to sea freight volumes. December loads set the tone for the whole Q1 program; serious citrus buyers have already locked volumes by now (see our guide to winter citrus programs).
Suggested Mixed Loads for Q4
- October harvest load: 8 pallets pomegranate + 6 pallets dates + 6 pallets sweet potatoes.
- November Ramadan-prep load: 10 pallets dates + 6 pallets mandarins/lemons + 4 pallets guava or sweet potato for Gulf receivers.
- December citrus opener: 12 pallets Navel + 4 pallets mandarins + 4 pallets lemons — or the classic citrus-plus-onions build covered in our winter mixed container guide (citrus & onions).
- Winter veg sampler: tomatoes + peppers + green beans + zucchini for near markets with short transits.
Pallet minimums, temperature compatibility and documentation for multi-product loads are explained in our cornerstone on mixed produce containers from Egypt.
Booking Timing for Q4 Shipments
- Citrus: volume programs for Dec–Mar should be agreed in September–October. December spot fruit exists, but first-vessel Navel is allocated to program buyers.
- Dates: for Ramadan retail programs, contract in October–November while the full grade range is available.
- Pomegranate: October is the last full month — book by mid-September.
- Strawberries: air programs need 2–3 weeks’ notice; sea programs are built from December onward.
- Winter vegetables: flexible — 2–4 weeks ahead is usually enough outside holiday peaks.
PEIVANA loads from Alexandria, Damietta, Sokhna and Port Said, so Gulf and Asian receivers can route via the Red Sea while European buyers ship from the Mediterranean ports.
FAQ
When exactly does Egyptian citrus start shipping?
Mandarins open in November, the first Navel oranges load from late November, and December brings real volume with Valencia joining. Peak citrus months are January–March, but Q4 is when programs and first arrivals are secured.
Are Egyptian dates available for Ramadan programs?
Yes — harvest runs September–December, and Q4 is the contracting window. Buying in November means the widest choice of variety, grade and packing format, with shipments timed to arrive comfortably before Ramadan.
Can I combine citrus and winter vegetables in one container?
Often, yes — several winter vegetables tolerate citrus carriage temperatures on short transits, and dry items like onions can ride along in the right configuration. Send us your list and we’ll confirm what travels together safely.
Get a Q4 Quotation
Share your arrival window, destination port and target mix — we’ll reply the same day with availability and an indication. Request a quotation or reach us on WhatsApp — PEIVANA, the flexible Egyptian exporter.