Egyptian strawberries

The Egyptian strawberry season has started several weeks earlier than in a normal year, with harvesting progressing faster than usual. As a result, the crop is also expected to finish around three weeks earlier, with the end of the season now projected for the first week of May instead of June.

From a volume perspective, the planted area is approximately 10% higher year on year, supporting a solid overall availability. Quality indicators are currently positive. The strawberries show a bright red colour, which is essential for this category, while brix levels between 8 and 10 point to a good flavour profile for the current season.

In a typical year, the crop evolves from underripe fruit in December, to good quality between January and April, followed by overripe fruit towards May and June. This season differs slightly, with good quality already available in December. However, quality expectations for the coming months remain to be confirmed, as warmer-than-usual conditions in Egypt have accelerated crop development.

In terms of logistics, strawberries are primarily packed in 10 kg or 15 kg cartons. Alternative formats such as 4 × 2.5 kg or 1 kg are available, subject to a minimum order quantity of 10 tonnes.

Pricing is slightly lower compared to last season, with reductions ranging between €0.03/kg and €0.08/kg, depending on the required strawberry specification. This positions Egyptian strawberries as a cost-effective ingredient, particularly for berry mixes, where strawberries typically represent the most economical component.

Based on current market dynamics, it is recommended to secure volumes for December and January to ensure both availability and consistent quality. At this stage, no immediate shortage is expected for Egyptian strawberries, although early booking remains advisable given the accelerated season timing.