Egyptian Pomegranate Exports to Saudi Arabia: Wonderful Guide

Saudi Arabia is a core Gulf market for Egyptian pomegranate. In peak months, Egypt’s pomegranate exports move heavily to Saudi Arabia alongside Sudan and Libya — in October 2024 pomegranate was Egypt’s leading fruit export, with tens of thousands of tonnes shipped primarily to these markets. Egypt’s autumn Wonderful crop reaches the Kingdom fast via the Red Sea. This guide covers varieties, logistics, market requirements, the season calendar, and how to open a supply program. HS code 0810.90.

Quick Answer: Egyptian Pomegranate to Saudi Arabia

  • Product: fresh pomegranate, calibre-graded (HS 0810.90).
  • Egypt’s position: a major global pomegranate exporter — ~247,000 t / ~US$78M a season.
  • Saudi’s role: a core Gulf market, among Egypt’s top peak-season destinations.
  • Best varieties: Wonderful (main export), Baladi/116, Manfalouti (sweet).
  • Season: September–December, into January from storage.
  • Main route: reefer via Sokhna / Red Sea to Jeddah and Dammam.
  • Cold chain: carry at ~5–7 °C; ventilated, avoid chilling injury.
  • Compliance: phytosanitary certificate, SFDA import rules, Arabic labeling.

Why Egyptian Pomegranate Works for the Saudi Market

Pomegranate is a prized fruit across Saudi Arabia — eaten fresh, juiced and served at gatherings — and the Kingdom imports the bulk of its supply. Egypt is a leading source: a matching autumn season, deep-red Wonderful fruit, competitive pricing and short Red Sea transit. In peak months Saudi Arabia sits among the top destinations for Egyptian pomegranate, alongside Sudan and Libya.

For Saudi importers, Egyptian pomegranate offers reliable seasonal volume, strong colour and fast replenishment for retail and foodservice.

Best Varieties for Saudi Arabia

VarietyProfileSaudi fit
WonderfulDeep-red skin & arils, tangy-sweet, high juice★★★ The primary export variety
Baladi / 116Balanced sweet-tart, good colour★★ Mid-season option
ManfaloutiLarge, sweet, pale-red arils★★ Sweet/premium niche

For full variety detail see the Egyptian pomegranate export guide and the Egyptian Pomegranate Export Report.

Logistics: Egypt to Saudi Arabia

  • Ports of loading: Sokhna / Adabiya (Red Sea); Alexandria / Damietta for combined routings.
  • Ports of discharge: Jeddah (west) and Dammam (east); land bridge to Riyadh.
  • Temperature: carry at ~5–7 °C, ventilated; avoid chilling injury; protect from heat.
  • Packing: single-layer 4–5 kg cartons, count-graded, foam-netted; retail pre-pack on request.
  • Transit: short Red Sea sailing — fast replenishment for Gulf retail.

Saudi Market Requirements

  • Phytosanitary certificate from Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture meeting Saudi import conditions.
  • SFDA / SASO: compliance with Saudi Food & Drug Authority import rules; SABER as applicable.
  • Grade & calibre to buyer spec; sound, well-coloured fruit free of cracks and sunburn.
  • Documentation: certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list; Arabic labeling.
  • Food safety: GLOBALG.A.P (farm) and HACCP (packhouse) as baseline.

Season & Shipping Window

PeriodEgyptian cropSaudi notes
SepEarly Wonderful & BaladiSeason opens; strong Gulf demand
Oct–NovPeak Wonderful harvestPeak volume to Jeddah/Dammam
Dec–JanLate/stored fruitContinued supply from cold storage

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saudi Arabia a major Egyptian pomegranate market?

Yes. In peak months Saudi Arabia is among the top destinations for Egyptian pomegranate, alongside Sudan and Libya — in October 2024 pomegranate was Egypt’s leading fruit export, shipped primarily to these markets.

Which pomegranate variety is exported to Saudi Arabia?

Wonderful is the primary export variety — deep-red arils and high juice — with Baladi/116 and sweet Manfalouti as secondary options.

How is Egyptian pomegranate shipped to Saudi Arabia?

By reefer sea freight via Sokhna/Red Sea to Jeddah and Dammam, carried at about 5–7 °C in single-layer 4–5 kg cartons, foam-netted and count-graded.

What documents are required to import Egyptian pomegranate into Saudi Arabia?

A phytosanitary certificate meeting Saudi conditions, SFDA/SASO compliance (SABER as applicable), Arabic labeling, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, and farm/packhouse food-safety certification.

Request a Quote for the Saudi Market

Building a Saudi pomegranate program? PEI Trade supplies Wonderful (and Baladi/Manfalouti) pomegranate with calibre grading, ~5–7 °C cold-chain handling, SFDA/SASO-aligned documentation, Arabic labeling and fast Red Sea delivery to Jeddah and Dammam. Tell us your target volumes, variety, calibre and delivery window for a compliant offer.

Request a Pomegranate Quote →

How to Cite This Page

PEI Trade. “Egyptian Pomegranate Exports to Saudi Arabia: Wonderful Guide.” peitrade.com, 2026, https://peitrade.com/egyptian-pomegranate-exports-to-saudi-arabia/

Sources: Tridge “Pomegranates and mangoes top Egypt’s fruit exports” (Oct 2024 ~50k t primarily to Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Libya); FreshPlaza Egypt pomegranate 2024/25 reporting (~US$78M / ~247,000 t season). HS code 0810.90.

PEI Trade · New Cairo, Egypt · sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com · Brand: nile-prime.com · Ports: Alexandria, Damietta, Sokhna, Port Said (Incoterms 2020)