This article is for purchasing and production managers at Belgian jam, fruit preparation and bakery processors, and for the importers who supply them. It explains when blast frozen strawberries for jam and fruit preparations are the better buy, where IQF earns its place, and what to put in your request for quotation.
Belgium: a processing hub that already buys Egyptian strawberries
Belgium is the fourth largest importer of frozen berries in Europe, and frozen strawberries are its main frozen berry import, at more than 31,000 tonnes in 2022.1 Egypt was the dominant frozen strawberry supplier to Belgium that year, with exports of 8,800 tonnes.1
Belgium is also a trade hub. It has a few very large frozen-food importers and significant re-exports of imported berries.1
Two formats, two jobs
- IQF: each berry is frozen separately, so pieces stay loose and can be dosed. CBI describes IQF berries as whole and free-flowing.2 In our range, IQF suits retail packs, toppings and ice cream.
- Blast-frozen: the fruit is frozen in bulk packs rather than as loose individual pieces. It usually needs tempering or breaking up before use. In our range, it is the cost-effective choice for manufacturers making jam, fruit preparations and yogurt.
We supply both formats in whole, halves, dices and slices, in Grade A and Grade B.
Why blast frozen strawberries for jam are usually the better fit
A jam kettle or fruit preparation vat cooks, crushes or blends the fruit. Loose, separate berries add little value there. Free-flow is the main benefit of IQF, and a cooked batch does not use it.
The EU jam rules make fruit input cost more important. From 14 June 2026, the general minimum fruit content of jam rises from 350 g to 450 g per kg of finished product.3 The label must also state the fruit content per 100 g of product.3 More fruit per batch means the cost per kilogram of fruit input weighs more in your recipe. That is our reading of the change, so check it against your own formulation and national rules.
The same logic applies to fruit preparations for yogurt and dairy. Choose the cut by the texture you want in the finished product:
- Whole or halves for jams with larger pieces.
- Dices or slices for fruit preparations that need a more even piece size.
- Grade A where appearance matters in the finished product, and Grade B where the fruit is cooked or blended.
Where IQF is the right choice
Choose IQF when pieces must stay separate or visible, or when you portion small amounts by hand or by machine:
- Retail bags where the consumer pours what they need.
- Toppings, where whole or sliced berries are placed visibly.
- Ice cream inclusions and other lines that dose frozen pieces directly.
See our IQF strawberries page for details.
Which format for which production line
| Production line | Suggested format | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jam, kettle cooking | Blast-frozen | Fruit is cooked, so individual separation is not needed |
| Fruit preparation for yogurt and dairy | Blast-frozen | Fruit is cooked or blended with other ingredients |
| Bakery filling | Blast-frozen, or IQF if pieces must stay visible | Depends on the texture you want in the filling |
| Ice cream inclusions | IQF | Loose pieces dose evenly into the mix |
| Toppings | IQF | Berries must stay whole and separate |
| Retail frozen bags | IQF | Consumers portion the product themselves |
Rules that apply to either format
- Temperature: the EU quick-frozen foodstuffs directive requires product temperature of -18 °C or lower, with brief deviations allowed during transport and local distribution.4
- Labelling: the same directive requires the sales name, the indication “quick-frozen” and a batch identification.4
- Contaminants: CBI names pesticide residues and micro-organisms as the most common contaminant requirements for frozen berries.2 It also says food safety certification and frequent laboratory testing help create a positive image for suppliers.2
We handle sourcing, quality control and inspection, and export documents. Our certifications are ISO 9001:2015 and HACCP. Tell us which test reports or documents your quality team needs before you place an order.
RFQ checklist for strawberry buyers
| Item | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Format | Blast-frozen or IQF |
| Cut | Whole, halves, dices or slices, plus size range |
| Grade | Grade A or Grade B |
| Packing | Pack type and weight, labelling language, private label if needed |
| Container | 20 ft or 40 ft, and the quantity you plan to buy |
| Destination | Your port of discharge in Belgium or elsewhere in the EU |
| Documents and testing | Certificates and test reports your quality department requires |
| Timing | Whether you buy from frozen stock or book the new crop |
Egyptian strawberries are harvested from December to March. Frozen supply is available all year, and new-crop contracts are booked in autumn.
If your recipe also uses other fruit, see our frozen mango for mixed fruit preparations. Juice and beverage makers can look at our juices and concentrates.
FAQ
Can I use IQF strawberries for jam?
Yes. IQF fruit works in a kettle. For manufacturers, though, blast-frozen is the cost-effective choice, because jam does not need individually separated berries.
Do you supply both blast-frozen and IQF strawberries?
Yes. We supply frozen strawberries in both formats, in whole, halves, dices and slices, in Grade A and B. We pack to your specification and can run private label.
When should I book strawberries for next season?
Harvest runs from December to March, and new-crop contracts are booked in autumn. Frozen supply continues all year. Send your requirements early if you want to plan around the new crop.
Ready to compare formats for your line? Send your requirements (product, cut, grade, quantity, packing and destination port) to export@tarawy.com or WhatsApp +20 102 021 8587. You can also use our contact page.
Sources
- The European market potential for frozen berries, CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries), data for 2022, accessed 12 November 2026
- Entering the European market for frozen berries, CBI, accessed 12 November 2026
- Fruit jams and other products (Directive 2001/113/EC, amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1438), EUR-Lex, European Union, accessed 12 November 2026
- Directive 89/108/EEC on quick-frozen foodstuffs for human consumption, EUR-Lex, European Union, accessed 12 November 2026
