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Egypt is one of the world’s major onion exporters, and its onions — firm, pungent, long-storing golden and red bulbs — reach Europe, the Gulf, the UK, Russia, Asia and Africa. A spring harvest that lands before Europe’s own crop, combined with low growing costs and good storage life, makes Egyptian onions a counter-seasonal staple for importers. This guide is the hub: 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 the world’s third-largest onion producer (around 3.7–3.8 million tons a year), and onions are among its top agricultural exports at roughly 277,000 tons (its fifth-largest agri-export). The main export window runs roughly April to October — built on the March–May bulb harvest plus cold-dry storage, with early spring/green onions from around February — counter-seasonal supply that reaches Europe before its own crop. Egypt ships golden/yellow and red onions to the EU, Gulf, UK, Russia, Asia and Africa. Fresh onions are traded under HS code 0703.10 (dried/dehydrated onion under 0712.20). (Sources: FAO, 2023; ITC Trade Map / Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, 2025.)
Table of Contents
Why Egyptian onions
- Counter-seasonal timing: Egypt’s spring harvest reaches Europe before the EU’s own onions are ready, filling a key gap.
- Storage and shelf life: firm, well-cured bulbs with good pungency travel and store well.
- Golden and red supply: both main colour types are grown at export scale.
- Cost and proximity: competitive pricing and short sea routes to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf.
- Dehydrated segment: beyond fresh, Egypt is also a notable exporter of dehydrated onion (and garlic) for the food-processing industry.
Egyptian onion varieties
Egypt grows both main colour types at export scale, alongside early-season green onions and a dehydrated segment for processing.
| Type | Notes | Main use / market |
|---|---|---|
| Golden / yellow onions | Firm, pungent, long shelf life; the export mainstay | EU, Gulf, UK — retail & foodservice |
| Red onions (e.g. Giza 6 and local red types) | Deep red, firm | Gulf, Asia, Europe |
| Spring / green onions | Early-season, bunched | Early export windows |
| Dehydrated onion (segment) | Dried flakes / granules / powder | Food processing — global |
Season and availability
The Egyptian onion bulb harvest runs from about March to May, and the main export window runs from roughly April to October — the spring crop plus cold, dry storage. Early spring/green onions open the window from around February, and the main golden and red bulb crop follows. Exact harvest and export dates shift year to year with planting and weather.
Key export markets
- European Union: a major spring destination, taking Egyptian onions before the EU’s own crop is ready.
- Gulf & Arab states: steady demand for both golden and red onions.
- United Kingdom, Russia, Asia & Africa: further established and growing markets.
Note on export policy: Egypt has at times regulated or temporarily restricted onion exports to manage domestic supply and prices, so the current export-policy status should be confirmed before contracting.
Specifications and grades
- Sizing: graded by diameter into standard bands (for example 40–70 mm, 50–70 mm, 70–90 mm), with the mix agreed in the specification.
- Quality: firm, single-centred, well-cured with dry, intact skins; free from sprouting, soft necks and defects.
- Packing: net / mesh (leno) bags (5, 10, 20 or 25 kg), big (jumbo) bags, or cartons — to the buyer’s requirement.
- Pricing & terms: FOB or CIF, with the size mix locked after grading.
Fresh onions and shallots are traded under HS code 0703.10; dried/dehydrated onion (flakes, granules, powder) falls under 0712.20.
Compliance and food safety
For EU and UK programs, onions must meet residue limits (MRLs, Regulation (EC) No 396/2005) and the EU general marketing standard for fresh produce, travel with a phytosanitary certificate, and increasingly carry GLOBALG.A.P. certification with packhouse food-safety management (HACCP, and where required ISO 22000 or a GFSI scheme). Wood pallets must be ISPM 15 compliant, with clear lot-coded traceability. Egyptian onions are not on the EU’s enhanced official-controls list (Regulation (EU) 2019/1793), so they are not subject to increased border checks — standard MRL and phytosanitary rules apply.
Explore the Egyptian onion hub
- Egyptian Onion Varieties — golden, red and more, in depth.
- Egyptian Onion Export Season & Calendar — month-by-month availability.
- Egyptian Onion Export Requirements — phytosanitary, MRLs and EU/UK rules.
- Egyptian Onion Packaging & Cold Chain — curing, cold-dry storage and shipping.
- Best Egyptian Onion Exporters — how to choose a supplier.
Frequently asked questions
When are Egyptian onions in season for export?
The bulb harvest runs roughly March to May, and the main export window runs from about April to October (spring crop plus cold, dry storage), with early spring/green onions from around February.
What types of onion does Egypt export?
Mainly golden/yellow and red onions, plus early spring/green onions and a significant dehydrated-onion segment for processing.
Which markets buy Egyptian onions?
The EU (a major spring market), the Gulf and Arab states, the UK, Russia, Asia and Africa.
Under what HS code are onions traded?
Fresh onions and shallots fall under HS code 0703.10; dried or dehydrated onion falls under 0712.20.
What compliance is needed?
A phytosanitary certificate, compliance with EU MRLs and the general marketing standard, GLOBALG.A.P. with packhouse food-safety certification, and ISPM 15 wood packaging.
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 Onion Export: The Complete Guide.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-onion-export-guide/
Sources
- FAO (2023) — Egyptian onion production (~3.7–3.8 million tons; world’s third-largest producer).
- ITC Trade Map / Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture (2025) — onion exports (~277,000 tons; fifth-largest agricultural export).
- CBI / USDA FAS — EU market windows and demand for imported onions.
- European Commission — MRLs (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005), marketing standards, phytosanitary requirements, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 official-controls list.
Source Egyptian onions with PEI Trade. We supply golden and red onions — graded to your calibers — to EU, Gulf, UK, Russian, Asian and African buyers, with GLOBALG.A.P. handling, full documentation and cold-dry storage discipline. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com