Navel vs Valencia oranges from Egypt

Navel and Valencia are the two orange varieties most buyers ask Egypt for, and they cover different parts of the year. Navel is the winter eating orange. Valencia, called the summer orange in Egypt, extends supply from February to August. Many importers run both to keep oranges on shelf for most of the year.

What is the difference between navel and Valencia oranges?

Navel oranges

A Navel has a small second fruit at its blossom end, which looks like a navel and gives the variety its name. It is seedless and easy to peel, which is why retail buyers prefer it as an eating orange. Its juice turns bitter if it stands, so it is a poor choice for juice that is not drunk at once. See Navel orange.

Valencia (summer) oranges

Valencia is a late variety with a lot of juice. It is the standard orange for juicing, and it eats well too. In Egypt it is sold as the summer orange (برتقال صيفي), because it carries orange supply on from February, as the Navel season ends, through to August. See Summer orange.

Which orange should you import?

• Retail, eating fruit, December to February: Navel.
• Juice bars, food service, processors: Valencia.
• Year-round programme: Navel in winter, then Valencia from February to August.

How are Egyptian oranges packed?

Both varieties are packed in carton or plastic crates of 7–15 kg, or in 1-tonne wooden bins for bulk and processing buyers. Size grade, carton print and labels are agreed per order. Tell us your market and we will propose a packing format.

Ask for a quote

Prices move weekly, so we quote per request. Send the variety, quantity, packing and destination, and we reply within one working day. Request a quote, or check the full Egyptian produce calendar.