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Egypt is one of the world’s most important strawberry origins. It ships fresh strawberries to Europe and the Gulf during the cooler months, and it is a leading global exporter of frozen strawberries. For importers, Egyptian strawberries offer bright colour, natural sweetness and competitive prices — fresh in winter and spring, frozen all year round.
Where Egyptian strawberries grow
Strawberries are cultivated mainly in the governorates of Ismailia, Qalyubia, Beheira and the Nubaria region, often on raised beds with drip irrigation and plastic mulch, and increasingly under tunnels. Mild winters allow a long production season when most European fields are dormant.
Key varieties
| Variety | Characteristics | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Festival | Bright red, firm, sweet; excellent shipping quality | Fresh export and IQF |
| Fortuna | Early, conical, glossy red, good flavour | Fresh export and IQF |
| Camarosa | Large, dark red, firm and durable | Fresh export, processing |
| Sweet Charlie | Very sweet, delicate skin, early | Local market, IQF |
| Albion / Monterey | Day-neutral, consistent production, rich flavour | Premium fresh markets |
Fresh strawberries
Fresh Egyptian strawberries are exported mainly from late autumn to spring. Because strawberries are highly perishable, they are picked at the right colour stage, pre-cooled within hours and kept at 0–2 °C throughout the chain. Air freight is common for Europe and the Gulf, while sea freight in reefers is used for nearby markets.
Typical packing options include:
- High punnets: 20 × 225 g (4.5 kg net per carton) or 12 × 400 g (4.8 kg)
- Flat punnets: 10 × 250 g (2.5 kg) or 8 × 250 g (2.0 kg)
- Plastic or cardboard containers of 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg
- Private-label punnets and cartons on request
Shelf life is short — up to about two weeks under ideal conditions — so programmes must be planned carefully. See our fresh strawberry page for details.
IQF strawberries: Egypt’s frozen champion
Egypt is one of the leading suppliers of frozen strawberries to the European Union and many other markets. The main processing season runs from May to July, when fruit is fully ripe, sweet and deeply coloured. Berries are washed, calyx-removed, sorted, optionally sliced and individually quick frozen.
| Specification | Golden Roots IQF strawberries |
|---|---|
| HS code | 0811.10 |
| Varieties | Festival – Fortuna – Camarosa |
| Forms | Whole and sliced |
| Retail packing | 400 g / 1 kg printed bags |
| Bulk packing | 10 kg / 20 kg blue polyethylene bags in cartons |
| Storage | –18 °C, up to 24 months |
IQF strawberries are used in jams, yoghurts, smoothies, bakery fillings, ice cream and retail freezer packs. Discover our IQF strawberry range.
Quality and food safety
For both fresh and frozen strawberries, buyers should request evidence of residue testing against destination MRLs and microbiological testing for frozen fruit. Golden Roots works with GLOBALG.A.P.-certified growers and food-safety-certified processors and shares lab reports with every lot.
Combine fresh and frozen
Many of our customers combine a winter fresh programme with a contract for IQF strawberries, securing year-round supply from a single trusted partner. Contact us to plan your strawberry season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are fresh Egyptian strawberries available?
Fresh Egyptian strawberries are available mainly from late autumn through spring, when European production is low, and are shipped by air or by sea to nearby markets.
What forms of IQF strawberries do you offer?
Golden Roots offers IQF whole and sliced strawberries in 400 g and 1 kg retail bags or 10 kg and 20 kg bulk cartons.
Which varieties are used for IQF strawberries?
Festival, Fortuna and Camarosa are the main varieties, with the IQF processing season concentrated between May and July.
