Overview
Egyptian broccoli harvests through the winter, which positions it well against Northern Hemisphere supply gaps.
Grades, cuts, and formats
These are the formats commonly traded from Egypt. They serve different applications rather than representing quality tiers, so the format should follow the finished product, not the price.
Florets 20-40mm
The smallest caliber band. Used in mixed vegetable blends, ready meals, and applications where the floret is a component.
Florets 30-50mm
The standard mid band. Common default for retail frozen vegetable packs.
Florets 40-60mm
Large caliber for presentation-led applications — foodservice plating and premium retail where the floret is visible and intact.
Stems
Processed separately from florets. A lower-cost input for soups, purees, and blends.
Technical specifications
| Sizing Options | Florets caliber: 20-40mm, 30-50mm, 40-60mm. Stem length: Max 15mm. |
|---|---|
| Blanching Index | Peroxidase negative (supports enzyme inactivation) |
| Storage Temperature | -18°C or colder |
| Microbiology Limits | E. Coli < 10 cfu/g, Salmonella: Absent/25g, Listeria: Absent/25g |
| Packing Configurations | 1×10kg carton bulk, 4×2.5kg bags, or custom private label |
| Packing options | 1×10kg bulk; 4×2.5kg bags; Private label |
| Harvest season | Nov–Apr (peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar) |
| Container fit (40ft HC reefer) | 10kg cartons, 100 cartons per pallet, 20 pallets per container |
Sourcing notes for buyers
- Stem length maximum 15mm is the specification that most affects appearance. A floret with a long stem reads as poor trimming even when the caliber is correct.
- Blanching should be peroxidase negative to confirm enzyme inactivation and support colour retention.
- Harvest runs November through April with peak from December to March.
- Microbiological limits: E. coli under 10 cfu/g, Salmonella absent in 25g, Listeria absent in 25g.
- Offered into EU, GCC, and North America. Packing is 1x10kg bulk, 4x2.5kg bags, or private label.
Frequently asked questions
What floret calibers are available for Egyptian IQF broccoli?
Three bands: 20-40mm, 30-50mm, and 40-60mm. The 30-50mm band is the common default for retail packs, while 40-60mm is specified where the floret is visible in the finished dish.
Why does stem length matter for frozen broccoli?
Stem length maximum 15mm is the specification that most affects visual quality. A floret with an over-long stem reads as poorly trimmed even when the caliber is within specification.
When is the Egyptian broccoli season?
November through April, with peak volume from December through March, which positions it against Northern Hemisphere winter supply gaps.
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