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Egyptian Dates for India (Medjool and Saidi)
This guide is for Indian importers and wholesalers buying Egyptian dates. It covers the two varieties PEI Trade ships to India, Medjool (Majdoul) and Saidi: how each is graded and packed, the season, reefer shipping to Nhava Sheva (JNPT), the document set and the trade terms. HS code 0804.10.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Egyptian Dates for India
- Varieties: Medjool (Majdoul) and Saidi. Both are dry tamr dates, not fresh rutab.
- Medjool grades (by skin separation): Premium (A) 0โ12%, Delight (B) 35โ45%, Classic (C) 45โ50%.
- Medjool sizes (by fruit weight): Medium 17โ18 g, Large 19โ21 g, Jumbo 22โ23 g, SuperJumbo 24โ27 g.
- Saidi grades: Delight (higher) and Classic (value). There is no grade below Classic.
- Season: Medjool is booked JulyโAugust and shipped OctoberโDecember, then from cold storage. Saidi ships JulyโDecember.
- Shipping: full 40 ft reefer only, one product per container, to Nhava Sheva (JNPT). Medjool ships at โ18 ยฐC; other varieties at the reefer setting agreed for each order. Other Indian ports on request.
- Documents: phytosanitary certificate (fumigation included under the EgyptโIndia protocol), pesticide residue analysis from the QCAP laboratory, certificate of origin, invoice and packing list.
- Terms: CFR / CIF to Nhava Sheva, or FOB Egypt.
- HS code: 0804.10.
Why Egyptian Medjool and Saidi Fit the Indian Market
Indian date buying is built around Ramadan. Ramadan 2027 is expected in February 2027, so containers for Ramadan 2027 ship OctoberโDecember, which is exactly when new-crop Egyptian Medjool ships. Medjool for that window is booked in JulyโAugust.
Need a price for Egyptian Medjool or Saidi dates for India?
Tell us the product, size and destination port, and our export team will prepare an offer for you.
The two varieties cover two different buyers. Medjool is a large premium date at 18โ27% moisture, sold by size and by grade, so an importer can match the grade to the shelf it is going on. Saidi is a dry date with two grades, Delight and Classic, for buyers who want a firmer date at a lower cost than Medjool.
Medjool Grades and Sizes
Medjool is graded by skin separation: the share of fruit where the skin has lifted away from the flesh. The lower the share, the higher the grade.
| Grade | Skin separation | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (A) | 0โ12% | Top grade |
| Delight (B) | 35โ45% | Middle grade |
| Classic (C) | 45โ50% | Value grade |
Medjool is also sized by the weight of a single fruit:
| Size | Fruit weight |
|---|---|
| Medium | 17โ18 g |
| Large | 19โ21 g |
| Jumbo | 22โ23 g |
| SuperJumbo | 24โ27 g |
Medjool moisture is 18โ27%. Medjool is fumigated before shipment. For India, the fumigation is covered inside the phytosanitary certificate (see Documents).
Saidi Grades
| Grade | Position |
|---|---|
| Delight | Higher grade |
| Classic | Value grade. There is no grade below Classic. |
Packing
| Variety | Pack sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medjool | 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg | The 5 kg pack has a polyethylene bag inside |
| Saidi | 5 kg carton | Polyethylene bag inside |
Shipping: Egypt to Nhava Sheva
- Container: reefer only, full 40 ft container, one product per container.
- Temperature: Medjool ships at โ18 ยฐC; other varieties at the reefer setting agreed for each order.
- Port of discharge: Nhava Sheva (JNPT). Any other Indian port on request.
- Transit: about 16 days on average to Nhava Sheva. This is an average, not a guaranteed time.
- Preparation before loading: about two days.
Documents
- Phytosanitary certificate. Fumigation is covered inside this certificate under the EgyptโIndia protocol; there is no separate fumigation certificate.
- Pesticide residue analysis certificate from the QCAP laboratory.
- Certificate of origin.
- Commercial invoice.
- Packing list.
For how each paper is checked on arrival, see Export Documentation for Egyptian Produce.
Trade Terms
- CIF or CFR Nhava Sheva.
- FOB Egyptian port.
Season Calendar
| Period | Medjool | Saidi |
|---|---|---|
| JulyโAugust | Bookings | Shipping |
| September | No shipments; new crop ships from October | Shipping |
| OctoberโDecember | New crop shipping (Ramadan 2027 containers) | Shipping |
| January onward | Shipping from cold storage | Not available (Saidi ships JulyโDecember) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Egyptian date varieties does PEI Trade ship to India?
Medjool (Majdoul) and Saidi. Both are dry tamr dates, not fresh rutab.
How is Egyptian Medjool graded?
By skin separation: Premium (A) 0โ12%, Delight (B) 35โ45% and Classic (C) 45โ50%. It is also sized by fruit weight, from Medium (17โ18 g) to SuperJumbo (24โ27 g).
When should Indian buyers book dates for Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected in February 2027, so containers for Ramadan 2027 ship OctoberโDecember. Medjool is booked in JulyโAugust.
How long does shipping from Egypt to Nhava Sheva take?
About 16 days on average, which is not guaranteed, plus about two days of preparation before loading.
Is a separate fumigation certificate needed for India?
No. Under the EgyptโIndia protocol, fumigation is covered inside the phytosanitary certificate.
Can Medjool and Saidi be loaded in one container?
No. Each container is a full 40 ft reefer with one product.
Need a price for Egyptian Medjool or Saidi dates for India?
Tell us the product, size and destination port, and our export team will prepare an offer for you.
Request a Quote for the Indian Market
Tell us the variety, grade, size, pack and Indian port you need, and the shipping month, and we will come back with an offer.
How to Cite This Page
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Dates for India (Medjool and Saidi).” peitrade.com, 2026, https://peitrade.com/egyptian-dates-exports-to-india/
Sources: PEI Trade export desk specifications for Medjool and Saidi dates, October 2026. HS code 0804.10.
Related
- Guide: Egyptian Dates Export: The Complete Guide
- Market: Exporting Egyptian Produce to India 2026/2027
- Season: The Ramadan 2027 Demand Cycle on Egyptian Produce
- Documents: Export Documentation for Egyptian Produce 2026
Last updated: 26 October 2026
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