Buyer guide Egy Berries Team · 7 October 2026
How to Import Frozen Strawberries from Egypt: A 2026 Buyer Guide
Frozen strawberries are Egypt's best-known frozen fruit export, and more and more importers, processors and food service companies buy them directly from Egyptian growers and freezers. This guide is written by the export team at Egy Berries, an Egyptian grower, manufacturer and exporter of IQF frozen fruits and vegetables. It explains, step by step, what you need to know before your first order: when to buy, which specification to ask for, how the fruit is packed and shipped, which documents and border rules apply in the EU, China and the USA, and what drives the price.
Why importers buy frozen strawberries from Egypt
Egypt has become the main origin for frozen strawberries in Europe. According to EastFruit, Egypt shipped 81,900 tonnes of frozen strawberries to Germany in January–November 2025, 61% more than a year earlier, giving it about 70% of German imports. Egypt has been Germany's largest supplier since 2019. Poland, itself a large strawberry producer, imported 62,200 tonnes of Egyptian frozen strawberries in 2025, 73.6% of its frozen strawberry imports.
- Long season: a mild winter lets Egyptian farms harvest from December to June, earlier than most European origins.
- Volume and consistency: large, specialised farms and modern IQF lines supply full containers of uniform product.
- Short transit: Mediterranean ports such as Alexandria and Damietta are a short sail from European ports, with direct container services to Asia and the Americas.
- New access to China: China applies a zero tariff to most goods from Egypt from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, provided the origin rules and customs procedures are met.
When to buy: the Egyptian strawberry season
Egyptian strawberries for freezing are harvested from December to June, with the largest volumes in spring. Frozen strawberries are shipped all year from cold stores, and EastFruit data show export peaks between April and August. Buyers who need a fixed volume for the whole year usually agree a contract before or early in the season, then call off containers as they need them. See our harvest calendar for all Egyptian frozen fruits and vegetables.
Choose your specification
A clear specification avoids most quality disputes. These are the points to agree before you ask for a price, with the standard Egy Berries values:
| Parameter | What to agree | Egy Berries standard |
|---|---|---|
| Variety | Colour, sweetness and firmness differ by variety | Festival and Fortuna |
| Cut | Whole, diced or other cuts | Whole IQF; diced 10×10 mm and 15×15 mm |
| Calibre (whole) | Size range in mm | 15–25 mm and 25–35 mm |
| Brix | Minimum sugar level | Minimum 7° Brix |
| Quality | Defects, foreign matter, microbiology, pesticide residues | Agreed per order and destination limits |
| Storage | Temperature through the cold chain | −18 °C or colder |
For a full list of points to check, use our frozen strawberry specification checklist. If you are deciding between IQF and block-frozen fruit, read IQF vs block-frozen strawberries.
Packing and container loads
| Pack | Typical buyer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk: 1 × 10 kg carton with inner liner | Processors, repackers, industry | Most common export pack |
| Food service: 10 × 1 kg or 4 × 2.5 kg | Hotels, restaurants, catering | Bags inside a master carton |
| Retail: 20 × 400 g | Supermarkets, retailers | Egy Berries own-brand bags or your private label |
Most export orders travel as full 40-foot reefer containers holding about 24–26 tonnes in 10 kg cartons. The container is pre-cooled and kept at −18 °C or colder from loading to delivery. Ask for loading photos and the temperature record with your documents.
Documents and border rules by market
Frozen strawberries are classified under HS code 0811 10. The exact national code depends on whether sugar is added: in the EU, unsweetened frozen strawberries fall under 0811 10 90. The table shows the main points per market; your customs broker confirms the details and the current duty for your country.
| Market | What to know |
|---|---|
| European Union | Since 18 February 2026, frozen strawberries from Egypt are subject to increased official controls: 20% of consignments get identity and physical checks at the border control post (Regulation (EU) 2026/194). The importer pre-notifies each consignment with a CHED-D in TRACES; no official export certificate is required. EU pesticide limits apply. Details in our guide to EU border checks. |
| China | The overseas manufacturer must be registered with China's customs authority (GACC). From 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2028, China applies a zero tariff to most goods from Egypt, subject to origin rules and customs procedures. |
| United States | The producing facility must be registered with the US FDA, and the importer files FDA Prior Notice before arrival and meets the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) rules. |
| All markets | Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and the laboratory reports agreed in the contract. Some buyers also ask for a health certificate. |
Egy Berries is certified to FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, ISO 9001, HACCP and GLOBALG.A.P., and is registered with the US FDA and China GACC.
How to place an order, step by step
- Send your requirements: product, cut, calibre, packing, quantity, destination port and Incoterm (for example FOB or CIF).
- Receive a specification sheet and price offer for your volume and shipment period.
- Approve a sample from current production before you confirm.
- Sign the contract with specification, packing, shipment dates and payment terms.
- Production and checks: before each order we agree residue testing, documents and loading checks with you.
- Shipment: you receive the bill of lading, documents, loading photos and temperature data.
- Arrival and customs clearance by your broker at the destination port.
What affects the price of frozen strawberries from Egypt
Prices change with every season, so ask for a current offer. The main factors are:
- The size and quality of the crop, and the time of the season
- Cut and calibre (diced and tightly graded fruit cost more to produce)
- Brix and quality grade
- Packing: bulk cartons cost less per kilo than retail bags
- Order volume and contract length
- Incoterm, sea freight and the exchange rate
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for frozen strawberries?
Frozen strawberries are classified under HS code 0811 10. In the EU, frozen strawberries without added sugar use code 0811 10 90; sweetened strawberries use 0811 10 11 or 0811 10 19 depending on the sugar content.
When is the Egyptian frozen strawberry season?
Strawberries are harvested and frozen in Egypt from December to June. Frozen strawberries are shipped all year from cold stores, with export peaks from April to August.
How many tonnes fit in one container?
A 40-foot reefer container holds about 24–26 tonnes of frozen strawberries packed in 10 kg cartons, kept at −18 °C or colder.
Do frozen strawberries from Egypt need an export certificate for the EU?
No official export certificate is required, but since 18 February 2026, 20% of consignments are physically checked at the EU border and the importer must pre-notify each consignment with a CHED-D in TRACES.
Ready to import frozen strawberries from Egypt?
Tell us your cut, calibre, packing, volume and destination, and our export team will send a specification sheet and price offer.
Request a price offer on WhatsAppSee our frozen strawberriesInformation as of October 2026. Trade rules and tariffs change; check the current rules with your customs broker before shipping. Sources: EastFruit, Egypt achieves record frozen strawberry exports to Germany (18 Feb 2026) and Egypt becomes Poland's leading supplier of frozen strawberries in 2025; Regulation (EU) 2026/194; China State Council Tariff Commission Announcement No. 5 of 2026.