Egypt is one of the world’s important onion exporters, supplying Europe, the Gulf, Africa and Asia. Two types dominate: golden (yellow) onions and red onions. Together they cover the market from February to September.
Two types, two windows
| Type | Window | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Golden (yellow) | February – June | Wholesale, retail, processing |
| Red | April – September | Retail and wholesale; popular in the Gulf, Africa and Europe |
Peak volumes are usually from March to May.
Sizes (calibre)
Onions are graded by diameter. Common calibre bands are 40–60, 50–70, 70–90 and 90–120 mm. Retail bags usually use medium calibres; foodservice and processing prefer large onions because they reduce peeling time.
Curing and dryness
After harvest, onions are cured: the outer skins and neck dry so that the bulb is sealed against moisture and disease. A well-cured onion has a tight, dry neck and several layers of dry, papery skin. Poorly cured onions sprout and rot during transport. Specify:
- Dry, closed necks.
- Minimum number of dry skins.
- Firmness.
- Tolerances for sprouting, doubles, sunburn and neck rot.
- For red onions: colour depth of the skin and inner rings.
Packing formats
- 25 kg mesh bag — the standard wholesale format.
- 10 kg printed bag — red or golden bags printed with your brand.
- Ventilated bulk formats — for processing.
Before bagging, onions go through size selection from 40 to 120 mm.
Shipping onions
Onions need dry air. They are shipped either refrigerated at about +2 to +4 °C or in a ventilated dry programme, as agreed, with relative humidity around 65–70%. High humidity causes rooting and mould. Onions should not travel with produce that needs high humidity, such as leafy vegetables or carrots.
Onions and garlic
Many buyers combine onions with garlic, which needs similar dry conditions. This makes a practical mixed programme for wholesale buyers.
For onions, dryness is quality. A well-cured onion in the right bag and dry air arrives firm and clean.
See specifications on our Egyptian onions page.
Frequently asked questions
When are Egyptian red onions available?
From April to September.
When are Egyptian golden onions available?
From February to June, with a peak from March to May.
What onion sizes can you supply?
40–60, 50–70, 70–90 and 90–120 mm calibre bands.
How should onions be shipped?
In dry air: refrigerated at about +2 to +4 °C or in a ventilated dry programme, at around 65–70% relative humidity.