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Egypt is one of the world’s leading herb exporters — fragrant fresh mint, basil, parsley, dill and coriander airfreighted to Europe and the Gulf, and a huge dried-herb and spice-seed industry supplying basil, marjoram, mint, coriander, cumin and fennel to food manufacturers worldwide. A warm climate, year-round growing and a deep processing base make Egyptian herbs a global staple. This guide is the hub for importers: what Egypt grows, when it ships, the markets it serves, the specifications buyers ask for and the compliance behind every consignment.
Quick answer: Egypt is one of the world’s leading exporters of dried herbs and spice seeds — a top global supplier of dried basil, marjoram and mint and of seed spices such as coriander, cumin, fennel, caraway and anise — and a major fresh-herb exporter. Fresh lines include mint, basil, parsley, dill, coriander, chives, rocket, rosemary, thyme, sage and marjoram. Fresh herbs are available year-round (peak winter for Europe) and are airfreighted; dried ships year-round. HS codes vary by botanical: fresh leafy culinary herbs commonly 0709.99; aromatic/medicinal herbs (basil, mint, marjoram, sage, rosemary, fresh or dried) under 1211.90; seed spices (coriander, cumin, caraway, fennel, anise) under heading 0909; and other dried spices such as thyme and bay leaves under heading 0910. Most fresh herbs are kept cold (~0–2°C) but basil is chilling-sensitive (~10–12°C). Markets include the EU, UK and the Gulf. (Sources: ITC Trade Map, 2025; CBI.)
Table of Contents
Why Egyptian herbs
- Global scale: Egypt is among the largest suppliers of dried herbs and spice seeds and a major fresh-herb exporter.
- Fresh and dried: airfreighted fresh herbs plus a deep dried-herb and seed-spice processing industry.
- Year-round growing: warm climate and greenhouses give continuous fresh supply.
- Wide range: culinary, aromatic and seed-spice botanicals from a single origin.
- Proximity: fast air routes to Europe and the Gulf for highly perishable fresh herbs.
Main Egyptian herb lines
| Herb | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | Fresh & dried | Major line; cold-stored fresh |
| Basil | Fresh & dried | Chilling-sensitive fresh; big dried export |
| Parsley | Fresh & dried | Flat & curled; cold-stored fresh |
| Dill | Fresh & dried | Cold-stored fresh |
| Coriander | Fresh, dried & seed | Leaf cold-stored; seed a major spice line (0909) |
| Cumin, caraway, fennel, anise | Seed (dried) | Major seed-spice exports (heading 0909) |
| Marjoram, thyme, sage, rosemary | Fresh & dried | Aromatic; major dried lines |
Season and availability
Fresh herbs are grown year-round in open field and greenhouses, with the export emphasis on the winter months when European local supply is limited. Dried herbs and spice seeds are produced and shipped year-round. Growing and drying are concentrated in Beheira, Nubaria, Fayoum, Beni Suef and Minya, the last three being major dried-herb, seed-spice and medicinal-plant areas. Exact patterns vary by botanical, planting and weather.
Key export markets
- European Union & UK: major markets for fresh (winter), dried herbs and spice seeds.
- Gulf & Arab states: strong fresh-herb demand.
- Global food industry: dried herbs and seed spices to manufacturers and spice packers worldwide.
Specifications and grades
- Fresh: bright colour, strong aroma, no yellowing or wilting; bunched or loose, clean.
- Dried: colour, aroma, leaf/stem ratio, cut/sieve size; microbiological cleanliness.
- Seed spices: volatile-oil content, purity/admixture, moisture and microbiological cleanliness.
- Packing: fresh in bunches/cartons or clamshells (airfreight); dried and seed in bags/cartons.
- Pricing & terms: fresh usually airfreight; dried and seed FOB/CIF by specification.
HS classification depends on the botanical and form, which buyers should confirm per line: fresh leafy culinary herbs (parsley, dill, coriander leaf, rocket, chives) commonly fall under 0709.99; aromatic and medicinal herbs used mainly in flavouring, perfumery or pharmacy (basil, mint, marjoram, sage, rosemary), whether fresh or dried, under 1211.90; seed spices (coriander seed, cumin, caraway, fennel, anise) under heading 0909 — not 0910; and other spices such as thyme, bay leaves, ginger and turmeric under heading 0910.
Compliance and food safety
Herbs are a high-scrutiny category. Fresh herbs require a phytosanitary certificate, strict compliance with destination MRLs (EU: Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 — fresh herbs face close residue checking), and microbiological control (Salmonella/E. coli on leafy herbs), with GLOBALG.A.P. certification. Dried herbs and spice seeds additionally need HACCP with controls for aflatoxins, Salmonella and, for some, unauthorised dyes (e.g. Sudan), often with BRCGS / ISO 22000. While Egypt as an origin is not on the EU’s enhanced official-controls list (Regulation (EU) 2019/1793) for herbs, the category is inherently residue- and contaminant-sensitive, so disciplined MRL and microbiological management is essential to avoid border rejections.
Explore the Egyptian herbs hub
- Egyptian Herb Types — mint, basil, parsley, dill, seed spices and more, fresh and dried.
- Egyptian Herbs Export Season & Calendar — year-round fresh and dried supply.
- Egyptian Herbs Export Requirements — residue scrutiny, micro and dried-herb safety.
- Egyptian Herbs Packaging & Cold Chain — airfreight, cold storage and the basil exception.
- Best Egyptian Herbs Exporters — how to choose a supplier.
Frequently asked questions
What herbs does Egypt export?
Fresh and dried mint, basil, parsley, dill, coriander, chives, rocket and aromatic herbs like marjoram, thyme, sage and rosemary, plus seed spices such as coriander, cumin, caraway, fennel and anise.
Is Egypt a big herb exporter?
Yes – it is among the world’s largest dried-herb and seed-spice suppliers and a major fresh-herb exporter.
Are Egyptian herbs available year-round?
Yes – fresh herbs grow year-round (with a winter export emphasis), and dried herbs and seed spices ship year-round.
How are fresh herbs shipped?
Mostly airfreighted because they are highly perishable, with cold-chain handling (basil kept warmer).
What compliance applies to herbs?
Phytosanitary certificates, strict MRLs and micro control for fresh; HACCP with aflatoxin/Salmonella/dye controls for dried and seed spices.
How to cite this page. Reusing a figure from this guide? Please cite it and link to this page as the source.
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Fresh Herbs Export: The Complete Guide.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-herbs-export-guide/
Sources
- ITC Trade Map (2025) — Egyptian fresh herb, dried herb and spice-seed export volumes and destinations (a world-leading dried-herb and seed-spice supplier).
- Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture — herb lines, growing/drying regions and export data.
- CBI / USDA FAS — EU and Gulf fresh and dried herb demand.
- European Commission — MRLs (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005), Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 official-controls list (Egypt not listed for herbs), microbiological and contaminant (aflatoxin, dye) requirements.
Source Egyptian herbs with PEI Trade. We supply fresh culinary and aromatic herbs, a full range of dried herbs and seed spices to EU, UK and Gulf buyers, with GLOBALG.A.P. handling, strict residue and microbiological control, and correct cold-chain or airfreight logistics. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com