An Egyptian citrus programme is a contracted season of weekly or monthly allocations. Navel contracts start in early November; Navel exports open when the Export Council announces the opening (15 December in each of the last two seasons) and run to 1 March. Valencia ships fresh January–May, then from cold storage to the end of August. Each shipment is a full 40 ft reefer, and the weekly programme runs 8–10 containers.
Last updated: October 2026
Programme Buying vs Spot Buying
| Programme (contracted season) | Spot (order by order) | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume security | Reserved weekly/monthly allocations for the season | Subject to what’s uncommitted that week |
| Sizing & grade | Agreed counts and grades held for you | Whatever remains — popular counts sell first |
| Price basis | Agreed in the contract | Ask for today’s price, order by order |
| Packhouse priority | Planned into the weekly programme | Behind programme buyers when capacity is tight |
| Best for | Retail programmes, steady wholesale demand | Opportunistic buying, top-ups, new-market tests |
Many buyers combine both: a core programme for expected demand, topped up with spot orders when their market runs hot.
What Goes into an Egyptian Citrus Programme
- Oranges: 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. Deciding your Navel/Valencia split early is the most useful step; our Egyptian oranges wholesale buyer’s guide covers counts, grades and packing.
- Mandarins: Mandarin exports open when the Export Council announces the opening of the season (early to mid December).
- Lemons: Lemons ship from the end of September.
The Orange Programme Timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before November | Share your season plan: volumes, counts, grades, carton brand and destination ports |
| Early November | Navel contracts start |
| On the Export Council’s announcement | Navel exports open (15 December in each of the last two seasons); ship dates are confirmed only after the announcement |
| January–February | Navel continues; Valencia starts fresh in January |
| 1 March | Navel exports end |
| March–May | Valencia fresh, with best quality January–April |
| June–August | Valencia from cold storage to the end of August, subject to the Export Council’s notice |
Oranges and Mixed Containers
| 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 |
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.
More in our mixed produce containers guide and the Egyptian produce seasons calendar.
Running Your Programme with PEIVANA
- Commercial grade: Class I (12–15% defects per carton) and Class II (up to 30%), in Peivana cartons.
- Weekly programme: 8–10 containers a week.
- Payment: 50% in advance and 50% against copy of the shipping documents.
- Visits: buyers can visit the farm or the packhouse by appointment.
Delivery terms: CFR / CIF to your port, or FOB Egypt.
FAQ
What is the minimum order for a citrus programme?
Each orange shipment is a full 40 ft reefer (1,664 cartons of 15 kg = 24.96 t), including trial orders. There are no 20 ft containers.
When should I contract Navel oranges?
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.
Is spot buying ever the better choice?
For a first trial, a spot order makes sense. For oranges, a trial is still a full 40 ft reefer.
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.
What are the payment terms?
50% in advance and 50% against copy of the shipping documents.
Ask for today’s price on a citrus programme
Tell us your target volumes, counts, packing and destination port, and ask for today’s price. Email: [email protected]