Proper shipping of fresh agricultural products is one of the most important challenges facing international importers. Egypt enjoys advanced logistics infrastructure including modern ports, integrated cooling stations, and a diverse shipping fleet that ensures fresh products arrive in optimal condition.
Egypt has major ports specialized in agricultural exports: Alexandria Port (Egypt's largest port, equipped with the latest cooling systems), Damietta Port (specialized in agricultural and liquid shipments), and Port Said Port (direct Suez Canal access reduces shipping time to Europe by 10-15 days). Modern cooling stations are available at all ports, ensuring a continuous cold chain from farms to shipping vessels. Cairo International Airport also provides air freight for fresh fruits within 24-48 hours to any destination worldwide.
Reefer containers are used for shipping fresh agricultural products: 20ft containers (accommodate 10-15 tons of vegetables), 40ft containers (accommodate 22-28 tons). Temperatures per product: onions and potatoes 0-5°C, mangoes and tropical fruits 8-12°C, leafy vegetables 0-4°C. Humidity: 85-95% for most products. Ventilation systems are used for products that produce gases during ripening. ISPM-15 treated wooden pallets are preferred to avoid quarantine issues.
Required documents vary by destination country, but essential documents include: Egyptian Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate from the Egyptian Agricultural Quarantine Authority, Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for chemical residues, GlobalGAP or HACCP certificate for certified farms, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, and Cold Treatment Certificate for products requiring heat treatment. For the European Union, a TRACES certificate is required. For Gulf countries, SASO certificate and an Arabic ingredient list are mandatory.
Shipping fresh agricultural products from Egypt requires specialized logistics expertise and deep understanding of cold chains and international documentation. Rowad El Shareq offers integrated logistics services including customs clearance, inspection, custom packaging, and sea and air freight. Contact us for customized shipping solutions for your products.