This guide is for purchasing managers at importers, frozen-food wholesalers and fruit processors (jam, fruit preparations, yogurt, ice cream, bakery fillings) who plan to import frozen strawberries from Egypt for the 2026/27 season. You will learn what changed at the EU border in 2026, how the reported smaller new crop may affect availability, and which specifications and checks to put in your order.
What changed at the EU border in 2026
In January 2026 the European Commission added strawberries from Egypt to Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793. The entry covers fresh, chilled and frozen strawberries (CN codes 0810 10 00 and 0811 10). The hazard is pesticide residues, and the frequency of identity and physical checks is 20% of consignments. [1] The Commission based this on RASFF notifications and Member State control data that pointed to new risks from possible pesticide residues. [1] The measure applies from 18 February 2026. [2]
The June 2026 amendment, Regulation (EU) 2026/1206 of 9 June 2026, kept the Egyptian strawberry entry at 20%. [3] The lists are replaced from time to time, so confirm the current rate before each booking.
In practice, border authorities carry out identity and physical checks, including sampling and laboratory analysis, at the Annex I frequency. The frequency is applied as an overall rate for the whole entry. [4] Any consignment can be selected. Where batches are identified in the entry document, sample units are drawn from different batches of the consignment. [4] Clear lot coding therefore helps if a sample is taken.
These controls apply at EU borders only. Buyers in the Gulf, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia and China follow their own national rules, so check the import requirements of your own country.
Which problems importers are seeing
Oxamyl. Poland reported a RASFF alert on frozen Egyptian strawberries in January 2026 after oxamyl was found in a batch. A consignment in November 2025 had also shown two banned substances. [5] EFSA’s 2024 residue report notes that oxamyl is non-approved and that its MRLs were lowered to the limit of quantification in 2023. [6] The default MRL is 0.01 mg/kg for substances without a specific limit. [6] AGRINFO reports that the lowered oxamyl limits apply from 11 May 2024. [7] In practice, any detectable oxamyl is a problem.
Quality defects. Polish inspectors have detained Egyptian frozen strawberry shipments for mould, spoilage or unauthorised residues. [5] This is why cold-chain records and organoleptic specifications belong in the order as well as residue limits.
Hygiene and viruses. If your product is eaten without cooking, ask suppliers about hygiene, worker-health controls and virus testing for the lots you buy.
Market effect. In 2026 trade reports described excess stock, weaker buyer appetite and continued EU border rejections. [8]
The 2026/27 crop: reported smaller area
A grower interviewed by FreshPlaza on 29 October 2026 said planted area is down by at least 40%, an estimate he called widely shared in the sector. He gave several reasons: last season’s oversupply and price collapse, newcomers leaving the sector, and growers unable to plant fully because of costs and phytosanitary problems. [9] He also reported lower yields because of the fungus Neopestalotiopsis, which forced replanting. [9] This is one grower’s view, so treat the 40% as an indication rather than an official figure.
A reported smaller crop and a 20% border check point the same way: buyers who fix specifications and volumes early, with suppliers who control their fruit sources, are better placed.
| Period | What happens | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | New-crop contracts are booked | Fix cut, grade, format, residue and documentation requirements; agree phasing |
| December to March | Strawberry harvest and freezing | Confirm lot coding, sampling and inspection; plan loading |
| Year-round | Frozen supply from stock | Call off by lot, with the same specification and test reports |
How to import frozen strawberries from Egypt: a buyer checklist
Put these points in your specification and ask for confirmation in writing.
| Item | What to specify | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Blast-frozen for jam, fruit preparations and yogurt; IQF for retail packs, toppings and ice cream | Blast-frozen is the cost-effective choice for manufacturers; IQF keeps berries free-flowing |
| Cut and grade | Whole, halves, dices or slices; Grade A or B | Defines size, colour and defect tolerance for your process |
| Residues | Lot-level multi-residue report from an accredited laboratory, with oxamyl included, against EU MRLs | Residues are the stated reason for the 20% border check |
| Traceability | Lot code linked to the grower and freezing plant | Lets batches be identified and sampled separately at the border |
| Hygiene and virus | HACCP-based plant controls; norovirus and hepatitis A testing if your product is not cooked | Protects ready-to-eat products |
| Quality | No mould or off-odour; foreign-matter and metal-detection limits; temperature records | Mould and spoilage have been reasons for detention |
| Packing and loading | Pack to your specification, private label if needed; 20 ft or 40 ft container | Avoids relabelling and delays |
Tarawy sources frozen strawberries on demand from Egyptian growers and freezing plants. We handle quality control and inspection, export documents, packing to your specification, private label, container loading and shipping from any Egyptian port. We hold ISO 9001:2015 and HACCP certification. Tell us which test reports your QA team needs and we will confirm what can be arranged for your lots. See our IQF strawberries page for formats.
Processors that build fruit preparations or blends may also want frozen mango, and juice makers can look at our juices and concentrates.
FAQ
Does the 20% check apply to frozen strawberries?
Yes. The Annex I entry for Egypt covers strawberries that are fresh, chilled or frozen, under CN codes 0810 10 00 and 0811 10. [1]
Is the 20% rate permanent?
No. Regulation 2019/1793 provides a temporary increase in controls, and the Commission replaces the annexes when it reviews them. The rate was kept at 20% in June 2026. [3] Check the current text before each booking.
When should I book the new crop?
New-crop contracts are booked in autumn, ahead of the December to March harvest. With a smaller crop reported, earlier booking gives more choice of lots and specifications.
Blast-frozen or IQF?
Choose blast-frozen if you cook or process the fruit into jam, fruit preparations or yogurt. Choose IQF if you need free-flowing berries for retail packs, toppings or ice cream.
Do EU controls affect shipments to non-EU markets?
No. Regulation 2019/1793 applies at EU border control posts. Check the import rules of your own country.
To discuss your 2026/27 programme, 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
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/194 of 28 January 2026, EUR-Lex, 29 January 2026
- Temporary increased official controls on foods from certain countries, January 2026 update, AGRINFO, 2026
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1206 of 9 June 2026, EUR-Lex, 10 June 2026
- Consolidated text of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, EUR-Lex, 8 January 2025 version
- Frozen strawberries from Egypt rejected in Poland due to banned pesticide, FreshPlaza, 26 February 2026
- The 2024 European Union report on pesticide residues in food, EFSA Journal, 2026
- Maximum residue levels for oxamyl, AGRINFO, 2023 (revised January 2024)
- Egyptian IQF strawberry prices fall 2% with EU rejections, FreshPlaza, 2026
- “Next Egyptian strawberry season will be completely different”, FreshPlaza, 29 October 2026
