Tag: Frozen Produce

Your Strategic Sourcing Destination for 2025 and Beyond

In the dynamic and often volatile world of global trade, strategic importers are constantly seeking markets that offer more than just quality products. They need reliability, verifiable safety, logistical efficiency, and a clear growth trajectory. In recent years, one country has decisively emerged as a global agricultural powerhouse, demonstrating remarkable growth and solidifying its position as a vital and resilient hub for the world’s food supply: Egypt.

The latest figures are not just impressive; they signal a fundamental shift in the global agricultural landscape. From January to mid-October 2024 alone, Egypt’s agricultural exports surpassed 6.9 million tons, generating revenues of over $4.04 billion. This isn’t a momentary spike; it’s the result of a sustained, strategic national effort to cultivate excellence, invest in modern infrastructure, and build lasting international partnerships. For buyers looking to build competitive and secure supply chains, the message is clear: Egypt is the strategic sourcing destination for 2025 and beyond.

Anchored by Powerhouse Products: A Foundation of Scale and Quality

At the heart of Egypt’s export success are several powerhouse products where the country is not just a participant, but a global leader. The sheer volume and quality of these cornerstone crops provide a reliable foundation for international buyers, ensuring consistency and scale that few other nations can match.

Two of the leading fresh export categories are:

• Citrus: Egyptian citrus has become a global benchmark. In 2023, Egypt ranked as the world’s fifth-largest exporter, shipping an incredible $1.17 billion worth of citrus to markets around the world. This success is built on a sophisticated understanding of market needs. We cultivate premium varieties like Valencia and Navel oranges, carefully segmenting them by caliber—directing larger, pristine fruit to the demanding fresh retail markets in the EU, and smaller calibers to the juice processing industry. This strategic approach ensures maximum value and minimal waste. With the Netherlands acting as a critical re-export hub for the continent, our citrus reaches every corner of Europe efficiently.
• Potatoes: The scale of Egypt’s potato production is immense. In just the first half of 2025, exports exceeded 1.2 million tons. As the world’s fifth-largest potato exporter, Egypt has become a cornerstone supplier for the EU, Russia, and the MENA region. We supply both fresh table varieties for retail and specialized processing potatoes, such as the Lady Rosetta and Hermes varieties, which are prized by snack food manufacturers in Spain and Belgium. The Italian market, in particular, has shown explosive growth, recognizing the quality and reliability of Egyptian supply.

These figures demonstrate a mature, large-scale industry capable of meeting the high-volume, high-specification demands of the world’s largest and most discerning importers.

A Diversified Basket of Quality: Your One-Stop Sourcing Hub

Beyond the headline numbers for citrus and potatoes, Egypt’s true strength lies in its incredible diversity. The nation’s unique climate, blessed by the Nile, allows for a wide variety of crops to flourish, offering importers the invaluable opportunity to source a broad portfolio from a single, reliable origin. Consolidating sourcing not only simplifies logistics but also strengthens partnerships.

This agricultural boom extends across a rich basket of products, each with its own success story:

• Mangoes: With one of the highest growth rates in the fruit sector, Egyptian mangoes are gaining international fame for their unique flavor and aroma. Varieties like the Keitt and Kent are finding enthusiastic consumers globally, with a particularly remarkable surge in demand from the United Kingdom, where imports have grown over 55% in a single year.
• Pomegranates: Prized for the deep red, antioxidant-rich ‘Wonderful’ variety, Egyptian pomegranates hold a key seasonal advantage. Our harvest begins before competitors like Spain and Turkey, allowing our partners in Europe and the Middle East to be the first to market each season. The versatility of our pomegranates makes them ideal for both the fresh market and for high-quality juice production.
• Onions: As a top-6 global exporter, Egypt is a key and consistent supplier of red, yellow, and Dutch onion varieties. We have become a fixture in the supply chains of major European retail chains, particularly in the UK and the Netherlands, who depend on our year-round availability and quality.
• Frozen Strawberries: In the frozen category, Egypt’s leadership is absolute. We are the undisputed world #1 exporter, commanding an incredible 28% of the entire global market. For a buyer, this status is the ultimate assurance of reliability, expertise, and unmatched scale. When you source frozen strawberries from Egypt, you are sourcing from the best.

This diversity means that importers can build deep, strategic relationships with partners who can provide a wide range of high-quality products, streamlining procurement and enhancing supply chain security.

The Infrastructure of Success: Global Reach and Market Access

Egypt’s agricultural success is supported by a robust infrastructure designed for global trade. It’s a combination of natural geographic advantage and strategic international agreements that creates a seamless and cost-effective export environment.

Our logistical infrastructure is proven, with established trade routes to over 165 countries. Egypt’s strategic location provides a critical “proximity advantage,” especially for European markets. Shorter transit times compared to Southern Hemisphere competitors mean a fresher product on arrival, a longer shelf life in your distribution centers, lower freight costs, and a significantly reduced carbon footprint—an increasingly important factor for today’s conscious consumer.

This physical advantage is amplified by a framework of powerful trade agreements. The EU-Egypt Association Agreement creates a tariff-free gateway to the lucrative 450-million-consumer EU market. For our partners in the Middle East, agreements like the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) remove trade barriers and simplify customs procedures. These are not just political acronyms; they are mechanisms that lower your landed costs and de-risk the import process.

Partnering for a Competitive Edge in a Thriving Market

In this thriving landscape, choosing the right partner is crucial. An experienced, certified exporter acts as your gateway to the best of what Egypt has to offer. They provide the on-the-ground expertise, rigorous quality assurance, and logistical know-how to translate our national success into your specific business advantage.

At Tarawy Trading, we are proud to be a key player in this national success story. Our commitment to quality is verifiable and absolute. Our ISO 9001:2015 certification is your guarantee of a consistent, documented, and professional management system, while our HACCP certification is your assurance that we have proactively identified and controlled for any potential food safety hazard, protecting your brand and your customers.

The trend is undeniable. To build a future-proof supply chain, you need partners in a market that is growing, diversifying, and leading the world. You need a partner in Egypt.

Contact Tarawy Trading today to learn how you can leverage Egypt’s agricultural boom to gain a competitive edge in your market.

5 Things to Know When Sourcing Produce from Egypt

For European importers and procurement managers, sourcing high-quality fresh and frozen produce is a complex balancing act. You need reliable, year-round supply, impeccable food safety standards, and a competitive price. Increasingly, you also need a partner who understands the intricate regulatory and logistical landscape of your specific market.

Egypt has firmly established itself as a strategic sourcing destination for Europe, offering a powerful combination of quality, volume, and proximity. However, unlocking the full potential of this partnership requires an understanding of the key factors that ensure a smooth, safe, and profitable import process.

As a leading Egyptian exporter with extensive experience in the European market, we’ve compiled a guide to the five most important things you should know when sourcing produce from Egypt.

1. The Proximity Advantage: Faster, Fresher, and More Sustainable

In logistics, time is money—and freshness. Egypt’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East offers a significant competitive advantage over suppliers from the Southern Hemisphere.

• Shorter Transit Times: Shipping from Egypt to major European ports takes significantly less time than from countries like South Africa, Peru, or Chile. This means the product arrives on your shores faster and fresher, with a longer remaining shelf life for your own distribution network.
• Reduced “Food Miles”: In an era where consumers and corporations are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint, shorter shipping routes translate directly into a more sustainable supply chain. This is a powerful selling point for your own environmentally-aware customers.
• Lower Logistical Costs: Reduced transit times and fuel consumption can lead to more competitive freight costs, directly benefiting your bottom line.

For European buyers, this geographical advantage means you get a higher quality product with a better sustainability profile, strengthening your position in the market.

2. The Language of Trust: Speaking Fluent Certification

In the European market, food safety and quality certifications are not just paperwork; they are the language of trust. They are the first thing a professional buyer looks for, as they are a non-negotiable prerequisite for market entry.

• The Baseline (HACCP & ISO 9001): Any credible exporter must have these foundational certifications. Our HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certification demonstrates a proactive, systematic approach to food safety, while ISO 9001:2015 guarantees a robust quality management system for consistent and reliable operations.
• The EU Entry Ticket (GLOBALG.A.P.): For fresh produce, GLOBALG.A.P. is the universally recognized standard for Good Agricultural Practices. It is considered the minimum requirement for supplying almost all major European retailers. Partnering with an exporter who is already compliant with GLOBALG.A.P. standards saves you time and de-risks your supply chain.
• Advanced Standards (BRCGS, IFS): For processed or packed goods, including our IQF frozen produce, buyers expect certification to a GFSI-recognized standard like BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) or IFS (International Featured Standards).

When you partner with Tarawy Trading, you are working with a team that is fluent in this language of certification. We understand these standards are your assurance of safety and quality, and we have built our processes to meet and exceed them.

3. Navigating the MRL Maze: Beyond Legal Requirements

Complying with the EU’s Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides is a given. However, experienced importers know that the most demanding markets, particularly Germany, operate on a stricter set of private standards.

Major German retailers often impose their own internal MRLs that can be as low as 30-50% of the legally permitted EU limit. This practice, sometimes called the “German discount,” is a de facto market requirement. An exporter who is unaware of this, or unable to comply, will find their products rejected, even if they are legally compliant.

A knowledgeable partner will understand this nuance. We conduct rigorous testing and work with our growers to ensure our products, from fresh sweet potatoes to oranges, can meet these tougher-than-legal standards. This capability is a critical point of differentiation and a key question you should ask any potential supplier.

4. The Tariff-Free Gateway: The EU-Egypt Association Agreement

Beyond logistics and quality, there is a significant commercial advantage to sourcing from Egypt. The EU-Egypt Association Agreement, in force since 2004, has created a free-trade area that liberalizes trade for the vast majority of agricultural goods.

For you, the importer, this is not just a political detail; it’s a tangible financial benefit. This agreement means that most produce imported from Egypt into the EU is subject to reduced or zero tariffs. This translates directly to:

• Lower Landed Costs: Reduced tariffs mean a more competitive final price.
• Simplified Customs Procedures: The agreement helps streamline customs clearance, reducing the risk of administrative delays at the port.

By sourcing from Egypt, you are leveraging a powerful trade agreement that is designed to make commerce between our regions easier and more profitable.

5. Proven Success in Your Market

Finally, the best indicator of future success is a proven track record. Egypt is not a new or speculative supplier to Europe; we are a core, long-term partner. Tarawy Trading has extensive experience supplying some of Europe’s most dynamic markets with key products.

• Sweet Potatoes in the Netherlands & UK: Egypt is a dominant supplier of sweet potatoes to Europe, and we are a key part of that success story. We have a deep understanding of the quality and sizing requirements for the Dutch and British markets, which are among the largest consumers.
• Oranges in Germany & the Netherlands: As a top-5 global exporter of citrus, Egypt is a vital supplier to Europe. We have experience meeting the specific caliber demands of German retail and the high-volume needs of Dutch trading houses that serve the entire continent.

This experience means we don’t just sell a product; we provide a solution tailored to your market’s specific needs.

Your Strategic Partner in Egypt

Choosing an export partner is a critical decision. By understanding these five key areas, you can select a supplier who not only provides a quality product but who also functions as a strategic extension of your own team.

At Tarawy Trading, we pride ourselves on being that partner. We combine the best of Egyptian agriculture with a deep understanding of the European market. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a more resilient, reliable, and profitable supply chain from Egypt.