Fruits in Egypt

When in Egypt, the seasons of collecting strawberries, peaches, oranges and other fruits? What are the prices in stores and markets? What are the features of Egyptian fruits? Read the answers and watch the calendar below.

Important notes!

1. The season may change. Below we led a maturation calendar in Egypt of popular fruits. This calendar can shift +/- 1 month due to weather. In addition, every year new early and late satisfied varieties appear.

2. Greenhouse fruits. Some Egyptian fruits are available all year round, if they are grown in greenhouses. Agriculture in greenhouses in Egypt is not very common, but exists. Naturally, greenhouse fruit prices are 2-3 times higher than seasonal.

3. Prices in this article We give minimal – in the collection season. During the rest of the time, these fruits can be greenhouse or imported, and, accordingly, they are more expensive by 1.5-3 times. Prices in the presentation of Egyptian pounds. Attaceous course, see the article "What Money in Egypt" or use the Calculator of the Egyptian Pound.

4. How much can be brought. Fruit jacket through the border is limited. In Egypt, not against the export of fruit tourists in any quantities. However, there are restrictions on the import in the Russian Federation. Read our article "What can and can not be taken out of Egypt".

Fruit collection calendar in Egypt

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sen

Oct

But I

Dec

Strawberry

X

X

X

X

X

X

Oranges

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Mandarins

X

X

X

X

Dates*

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Grape

X

X

X

X

X

Grenades

X

X

X

X

Mango

X

X

Peach

X

X

X

Apricots

X

X

X

X

Watermelons

X

X

X

X

Pears

X

X

Guava

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Plum

X

X

* – dried all year round, fresh in October, November and December.

You need to know and do not forget

Previously, the Nile River each year brought fertile il in the delta. Harvests in Egypt have always been huge, the country is still in the era of the Roman Empire fed the whole Mediterranean. However, the yield had to pay – the Egyptians suffered from flooding during the spills of the Nile.

In the 60s built asuan dam and hydroelectric station. Fertile sludge no longer, but also floods too. How the Egyptians support greater yield? Naturally, with the help of "shock" doses of mineral fertilizers – phosphates and nitrates.

Now Egypt at the 11th place in the world on the use of mineral fertilizers – 650 kilograms on hectares of arable land (according to the latest report of the UN FAO). In Russia and in Ukraine, this indicator does not exceed 100, in Belarus 215.

Try not there are many fruits in Egypt. And do not be surprised that the fruits here are beautiful outwardly, but without taste and not sweet. Fruits with "doping" grow quickly, but sugar and taste do not have time to dial. Especially this concerns the early grades.

And the second problem

In Egypt, the problem of insect pests is. Egyptians are struggling with them pesticides that inevitably fall into fruit. As a result, Egyptian fruits constantly fall under the ban on supplies to other countries. Every year, the EU prohibits the import of certain Egyptian fruits, then the countries of the Middle East.

In addition to the problem of pesticides, there is also an antisanitarian problem. Most recently (at the very end of 2020), the investigation of the group of European scientists about 65 cases of infection with hepatitis A (IB subgenide virus) in Sweden, Austria and Germany. All acricted ate strawberries (mainly in confectionery). And guess where this strawberry was? From Egypt.

And in 2013, a terrible case happened in the USA. 129 people in the 8th states were infected with hepatitis A, drinking a smoothie from frozen Egyptian strawberries in a cafe, most affected by Virginia – 104 people. And this is despite the fact that at that time a ban on the importation of Egyptian strawberries in the USA. That is, strawberries were also smuggling!

Therefore, we strongly recommend not to "lean" to fruits in Egypt, so as not to saturate your body harmful chemicals. Or maybe it should be abstained at all.

Popular fruits – prices and features

Strawberry

Harvesting season: November, December, January, February, and some farms collect harvest until mid-May

Most of the strawberries in Egypt are grown on a plot from Cairo to Alexandria. This territory has recently been desert. Thanks to the new irrigation system, the Egyptians built here giant strawberry farms.

Egyptian strawberries in the world are far from being better. For example, at the time of actualization of this article (April 2021), the importation of Egyptian strawberries in Saudi Arabia is prohibited. Cause of sanctions: discovery in strawberry of high levels of pesticides. This is not surprising, considering very active use in Egypt inorganic fertilizers.

Active use of fertilizers leads to another negative effect. Strawberry "On Doping" rapidly growing and berries will quickly blush, but sugar and taste do not have time to dial. Usually the Egyptian strawberry is just tasteless.

Therefore, the Chief Council. First try, and after decide – buy her home or better and not worth. Price – from 10 to 25 Egypt pounds per kilogram depends on quality. Actual course, see our article "What Money in Egypt".

Oranges

Harvest Collection Season: From November to May

In Egypt, different varieties of oranges are grown, the most common: brought, Baladi, "Sweet", Shamuti, Valencia, "Bloody". The latter should not be confused with grapefruit. Different varieties have the time of the harvest season.

Egypt now pays a bet on oranges, 162,000 hectares of land are already employed in the country. In 2019, the Egyptians were sent to export 1,700,000 tons of oranges and took 38% of the world market. Earned this 662 million dollars. Egyptians shifted the Spaniards from the first place.

However, the secret of the success of Egyptian oranges is not at all as, but in price. In Egypt: Cheap workforce, low course of Egyptian currency, suitable weather conditions.

The taste of Egyptian oranges is very different. There are gorgeous sweet, there is a terrible kislytina. Need to try, and then take a big part home. Price – from 6 to 20 pounds per kilogram depends on variety and quality.

Mandarins

Harvesting season: From October to January

Egypt is the 5th in the world. Manufacturer of mandarins, total volume – about 1 million tons per year. Interesting fact that Russia is the world’s first importer of Mandarins. Therefore, it may not be worthwhile tangerines home from Egypt, they have in our supermarkets.

Ordinary tangerines in Egypt are not so often. More often, here they sell Clementine and Murcock (both hybrids of the mandarin and orange-king) or frumont (hybrid Mandarin Ponkan and Clementina). All these types of Egyptians are usually called "Mandarin", do not see differences. In Egypt, meets its variety, called "YUSFI Baladi", is grown in Upper Egypt. This variety is recommended to try first.

Yes, and we do not advise you to deal with tourists in the searches, do not waste your energy. It is better just trying tangerines, and if you like, take a big part home. Price – from 10 to 30 Egypt pounds per kilogram depends on quality.

And there is one more nuance. A lot of tangerines in Egypt are grown not higher farms, but private farmers. Therefore, the taste of mandarins in the Egyptian markets is a real lottery – from vigorous acids to gorgeous juicy and sweet fruits. Tip here one: try, try, try.

Dates

Harvest Collection Season: October, November. Dried dates are available all year round

Egypt is the world’s largest manufacturer of dates, the total production volume is more than 1,7000,000 tons per year, it is 21% of the world (season data 2019/2020). By logic, the quantity should sooner or later go to quality. However, in Egypt this has not yet happened. Egyptian dates in the world consider low-quality.

For exports, the dates almost never go. First, the Egyptians themselves consume them in large quantities, and there is simply no export. Secondly, the demand in the world market for Egyptian dates is low due to poor quality. As a result, in 2019, the Egyptians reversed from the export of dates of only 53.4 million dollars, the figure is funny.

In fact, there are different dates – and bad, and good. Egypt has no clear specialization in the variety. For example, in the Middle East, Majul grade is grown, in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco variety "Demlet Nur". And in Egypt grow varieties spontaneously. Fortunately, the situation every year is better.

In the fall, you can try ripe dicks, in which there is less sugar and more moisture. The rest of the time dried dates of different varieties are available. And then the advice is only one: Try and choose, then buy home in large quantities. Dried dates at a huge shelf life – 1 year or longer. Price: from 8 to 100 pounds per kilogram depends on the variety.

Grape

Harvesting season: from May to September

In the field of growing grapes, the Egyptians have achieved tremendous success. Grapes are a very favorable culture, and in Egypt just suitable climatic conditions. In Egypt now harvests about 1,720,000 tons per year, and the figure grows every year. Every year new vineyards are opened. Now the Egyptians are 13th in the world, but in the TOP10 will be included in a couple of years.

Most of the grade and sold in Egypt grades without bones. It is this grapes that goes to export to Europe and the Middle East Oil Countries. Egyptians grow the cutlery grapes, and not wine. Therefore, in the case of Egypt, good grapes does not mean good wine.

The most common variety is called "Flame Seedless" – this is a large red grapes without seeds. Also common: "Superior Seedless" and "Thompson Seedless" – White without seeds, "Crimson Seedless" – red without seeds. Now the Egyptians are actively engaged in the selection of their own varieties, which will give a greater yield in local climate.

Price – from 15 to 50 pounds per kilogram depends on variety and quality. And the quality of Egyptian grapes can be very different, so trying necessarily, and only then buy home kilograms.

Grenades

Harvesting season: From August to October

With grenades in Egypt have some problems. In 2018, only one farm company received a license to export. She was the only one that grows eco-grenades, that is, without the use of mineral fertilizers. All other exports were banned by the government.

The reason for this solution is an increased level of pesticides. Just recently, the EU has entered into force on this issue, and the Egyptian authorities understood that most of their grenade control would not pass. In 2019, several more exporter farms appeared, but it did not change the situation.

We would not recommend buying and trying grenades in Egypt. It is unlikely that the Egyptians will stop pouring the gardens of pesticides.

Price – from 10 to 20 pounds per kilogram. As in the case of other fruits, we recommend to try first, and then buy a lot to yourself to bring home.

Peach

Harvesting season: from April to June

Egypt takes 10th place in the world of peach production, volume – 266,000 tons per year. Egypt exports approximately half of this volume. The most common varieties in Egypt: "Florida Prince", "Tropic Prince" and "Ruby Cross".

In April, peaches are rather sour than sweet. Impriferable varieties appear, which simply do not have time to gain taste and sugar. Good sweet peaches appear only at the end of May. Now there are even new varieties that ripen in March, they definitely do not wait for sweets and tastes.

Recently, peaches and nectarines around the world are going on. Fruits look beautiful outside, but inside already rotten. It is difficult to say what it is connected with. But just in case we will give two councils: the first one – be sure to try, and then buy large quantities; Second – Eat them faster, do not delay in the refrigerator for weeks.

Peaches are often susceptible to disease. Therefore, watches the fruit on the skin of white or dark spots. With the slightest doubts, it is better to go to another seller, the benefit of their markets.

Price – from 10 to 40 pounds per kilogram depends on variety and quality.

Apricots

Harvesting season: from April to July

Egyptians in the year are grown about 100,000 tons of apricots, they are 9th in the world in terms of volumes. The Egyptians love the apricots very much, call them "Mineshi". Orange color they have "Mineshi", that is, "apricot color". They love so much that almost all of their apricots eat themselves.

And the Egyptians lack their apricots, import from other countries. Yes, and if you think about 100 thousand tons – this is just 1 kilogram for each Egyptian. Is there a lot?

Previously, the apricot season was very short – week or two. Egyptians even have a source expression "Fel Muszymash", which is equivalent to our "after the rain on Thursday". That is, one person asks: "When you return the debt?". He is answered: "In the apricot season". Means that for a short time you will not find me, this season will be very quickly going through.

Now the season is not so short – lasts from mid-April to the beginning of August. Although due to weather conditions may begin later and end earlier.

Price – from 20 to 40 pounds per kilogram depends on the quality and variety.

Watermelons and melons

Harvesting season: from April to July

Egyptians grow quite a lot of watermelons – 1.7 million tons per year, they are 9th in the world. Most of the watermelons and melons from Egypt goes to export.

The watermelon season in Egypt begins earlier than we. Therefore, if you got here in April, May or June, then eat local watermelons and melons with pleasure.

Already in August buy and carry home Egyptian watermelons already make no sense. We have our own, who are even cheaper than Egyptian. The price of watermelons in Egypt – from 5 to 10 pounds per kilogram. The price is high. This is due to the high cost of Egyptians to the water supply to the fields. Water here is catastrophically lacking, and watermelons of water need a lot.

In April 2019, rumors have gone that defective watermelons appeared on the market with white pulp in the center. They were called "Cancer Watermelons", suspecting that they can cause oncological diseases. In fact, the watermelon has it, called "Hollow Heart". But for health, this phenomenon is not dangerous. Although from another point of view, this is an "alarming bell", because this effect is associated with the use of cytokinin for regulation of plant growth. The Ministry of Agriculture declares that dangerous watermelons are only rumors.

Useful advice

– Fruits can be bought in the markets, in supermarkets or shops at hotels. In supermarkets, security guarantees are clearly more. In any case, if you decide to try a fruit, we strongly recommend thoroughly wipe it with an antiseptic napkin. It’s better to be renounced than risking to poison. Read our article "How not to choose in Egypt".

– Before driving fruits from Egypt, think home, and is it worth it?? For example, if the watermelon or melon burst in the suitcase, then spoil all things inside. But if they still decided, do not forget to pack the fruit for the time of flight to the packages and redeemly tie these packages.

– in supermarkets and in the bazaars it is more profitable to pay by Egyptian pounds. And although in the resort zones of dollars and euros are taken everywhere, the course may often be unprofitable. Read our article "Currency exchange in Egypt".

– about the fact that it is still interesting to bring, read in our review "What to bring from Egypt".

Successful rest at Egypt resorts, and read our interesting articles about this country (List of articles below).