Following a meeting of the Egyptian Export Authority Council held on November 17, the official launch date for the orange export season has been set for December 15, 2025. This is a late start compared to last year's season, which began on December 1, and has come as a surprise to many exporters.
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Mohamed Shaker, export manager at Almansi and member of the council, says: "We are indeed seeing a late start to the orange season this year. This decision was dictated by the ongoing coloring at several farms, but it also responds to the need to better organize the export season. Yes, it's a risky decision, but it will greatly help to better control quality and prices at the start of the season."
Regarding coloring, Shaker explains, "It is now completely forbidden to export oranges that are still coloring, as some exporters used to do. The export authority has therefore opted to launch exports once the oranges have passed the raw coloring point."
As for the concern about formalizing the starting prices for the season, the exporter adds, "Usually, growers who arrive on the market early overprice their oranges due to the surge in orders ahead of Christmas, which increases pressure in the sector. This decision, therefore, mitigates random pricing and better organizes the start of the season."
This decision came as a surprise to many exporters and was received differently depending on their profile. Shaker explains: "This delay will certainly cause discontent among many exporters, especially those who have their own production. It will affect their contractual obligations and also reduce their price forecasts at the start of the season. Other exporters, on the other hand, welcomed the decision, as it will mitigate unjustified and unrealistic farmgate prices."
"This postponement also carries a commercial risk, as December and early-season Navel oranges are an important window in several markets, notably the Russian market," Shaker adds.
It remains to be seen whether this decision could be revised, bringing the date earlier, as has been the case previously and as recently as last season. Shaker shares, "Many companies are considering issuing a memorandum of approval to ensure that this date is definitively maintained, but this is still at the consultation stage."
For more information:
Muhammad Shaker
Al Mansi
Tel: +20 102 562 2070
Email: [email protected]
www.almansifresh.com
