Most Egyptian packers transition from oranges to mangoes

On Jun 23, 2026

Most Egyptian packers and exporters are now shifting their focus to mangoes and grapes in place of oranges. The export season for Egyptian Valencia oranges is in its final stretch, with approximately 90% of the export program already completed. At the same time, preparations for the mango season are gathering pace, with buyers planning their programs early. This is according to Howaida Hassan, export manager at Select Greens.

Egyptian Valencia oranges are still available
Unlike last season, when domestic market pressure on supply led to a premature end to the orange season, supply is still available at this late stage in Egypt and is even finding interested buyers, according to Howaida. She explains: “We continue to ship to several destinations, as demand remains stable in our main export markets. Although the South African season is already well underway, many buyers continue to source Egyptian oranges. The first South African oranges generally take some time to reach full maturity; therefore, Egyptian Valencia oranges remain competitive during this transition period. ” She adds that the characteristics of the Egyptian supply, such as juice content, Brix levels, and eating experience, continue to drive demand for Egyptian oranges through the end of the season.

Despite numerous reports from industry players citing a lack of profitability this season, Howaida maintains that the price situation remains stable. “The market is relatively stable compared to last season. The Egyptian citrus sector has planned the 2025/2026 season more rigorously, establishing more realistic production and export forecasts that are better aligned with global demand,” she explains.

The export season is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks, and Howaida considers it a success despite the obstacles encountered along the way. She explains: “I would describe this season as a success, even though it has been one of the most challenging in recent years due to the war in the Middle East and the ensuing disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. The pressure on exporters has been enormous, with shipping schedules becoming less predictable, transit times lengthening, emergency surcharges imposed, and war-risk costs affecting logistics planning.

Despite these pressures, Select Greens met all its contractual obligations and maintained supply to its customers throughout the season. We received zero quality complaints from our customers during the entire Valencia orange season. In my opinion, this indicator alone is sufficient for us to declare that this export campaign was a success,” the exporter continues.

Accelerated preparations for the mango season
As the orange season draws to a close, attention is already turning to mangoes. Howaida expects the Egyptian mango export season to begin within the next two to three weeks, featuring the Tommy Atkins, Naomi, Osteen, R2E2, Awees, Sideeka, and Zebdia varieties. “Later in the season, starting in August, varieties such as Keitt and Kent will be available, thereby extending the Egyptian mango export period,” she adds.

According to the exporter, the diversity of Egypt’s mango offerings is a key competitive advantage: “Egypt has developed a highly diverse portfolio of mangoes in recent years, enabling exporters to supply different market segments with varieties that offer distinct differences in taste, appearance, shelf life, and suitability for long-distance transport.”

As for prices, Howaida is cautious about making premature predictions. “It’s still a little too early to predict opening prices with certainty, since harvest volumes and market demand won’t become clear until exports begin.” Nevertheless, I expect opening prices to be slightly higher than last season’s, driven by the constant rise in the costs of agricultural inputs, labor, packaging materials, and logistics. Ultimately, prices will depend on the balance between available supply and international demand during the first few weeks of the season,” she explains.

“Premium mango varieties intended for export have relatively short harvest windows and require careful coordination across harvesting, packing, and cold-chain logistics to ensure optimal quality upon arrival. I therefore expect that programs will be locked in earlier and earlier between exporters and buyers,” Howaida concludes.

For more information:
Howaida Hassan
Select Greens
Tel: +20 101600 7773 / +20 122460 8886
Email: [email protected]
www.selectgreens.eg

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