Overview
Variety matters as much as caliber here. Festival, Senga, and Fortuna are the varieties commonly grown in Egypt for freezing, and they differ in Brix, colour, and how well the berry holds its shape through the freezing process.
Where this grade is used
- Retail frozen fruit packs where the berry is visible through the packaging
- Smoothie and dessert programs where whole fruit is portioned rather than blended to a puree
- Foodservice plating and premium dessert applications, generally in the largest band
- Yogurt and dairy inclusion, generally in the smallest band
What to specify in an RFQ
- Specify the caliber band numerically: 15-22mm, 22-26mm, or 26-35mm. The smallest band suits dairy inclusion and industrial use, the middle band is the retail default, and the largest is presentation-led.
- Tie any Brix guarantee to a named variety and a shipment window, not to the season as a whole. Brix runs a minimum of 7.0 to 9.0 depending on variety, and the varieties behave differently across the harvest.
- Residue screening against EU Maximum Residue Limits should be a pre-shipment condition. MRL exceedance is the most common cause of rejection on EU-bound Egyptian strawberry.
- From January 2026 the EU raised physical inspection to 20% of Egyptian strawberry consignments. Build the extra clearance time into the delivery schedule and have the documentation pack complete before departure.
- Availability in the 26-35mm band is narrower than in the smaller bands. Agree early if the program depends on it.
How this compares to the other grades
Shared IQF Strawberry specifications
These apply across all grades and cuts of IQF Strawberry. Grade-specific requirements sit on top of them.
| Sizing Options | Whole: 15-22mm, 22-26mm, 26-35mm. Diced: 10×10mm. Sliced: 6-8mm thickness. |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -18°C or colder throughout transit and storage |
| Microbiology Limits | E. Coli < 10 cfu/g, Salmonella: Absent in 25g, Listeria: Absent in 25g |
| Brix Levels | Min 7.0 to 9.0 depending on crop variety (Festival, Senga, Fortuna) |
| Packing Configurations | 1×10kg carton bulk, 4×2.5kg polybags per carton, or customized packaging |
| Pesticide Control | Reviewed against EU Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) / FDA requirements |
| Packing options | 1×10kg bulk; 4×2.5kg polybags; 20×400g retail; Private label |
| Harvest season | Nov–Mar (peak Dec, Jan, Feb) |
Frequently asked questions
What size bands are available for Egyptian IQF whole strawberry?
Three: 15-22mm, 22-26mm, and 26-35mm. The middle band is the usual retail default, the smallest suits dairy inclusion and industrial use, and the largest is specified where the berry is the visual focus.
Which strawberry varieties does Egypt freeze?
Festival, Senga, and Fortuna are the varieties commonly grown for freezing. They differ in Brix, colour, and how well the berry holds shape through freezing, so a Brix guarantee is most reliable when tied to a named variety.
How does the 2026 EU inspection change affect strawberry shipments?
From January 2026 the EU raised physical inspection to 20% of Egyptian strawberry consignments. It does not change the specification, but it does lengthen clearance, so the documentation pack should be complete before departure and the delivery schedule should absorb the additional time.
Why is the largest caliber band harder to source?
Larger fruit means lower yield per hectare. Availability in the 26-35mm band is correspondingly narrower than in the smaller bands, so programs depending on it should be agreed ahead of the November to March season.
Other IQF Strawberry grades and cuts
Include the grade band, volume, packing format, destination, Incoterm, required documents, and target shipment window for structured partner-route review.
Submit RFQ/RFP