The Egypt market for Indian kabuli chickpeas
Egypt and North African markets import kabuli chickpeas; Egyptian food imports need Arabic labelling and NFSA clearance.
Indian community in Egypt (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 5,690 (NRI 5,407 + PIO 283).
Kabuli Chickpeas specification for Egypt orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Size | 42-44, 44-46, 58-60, 60-62, 75-80 count per ounce or 8-12 mm screen (typical) |
| Moisture | ≤ 12-13% (typical) |
| Admixture / foreign matter | ≤ 0.5% (typical) |
| Damaged / weevilled | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Splits | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Processing | Machine cleaned, sortexed, double polished (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Egypt requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Egypt
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Factory/brand registration | GOEIC | GOEIC registration under Decree 43/2016 |
| Arabic labelling & standards | EOS / NFSA | Arabic labels; NFSA import clearance |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping kabuli chickpeas to Egypt
Typical sea transit from India: 12–18 d to Alexandria/Port Said; 8–12 d to Ain Sokhna (Red Sea) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 22-25 MT bagged, 40' HC about 25-26 MT (weight-limited).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Egypt is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Egypt
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Inland; Alexandria / El Dekheila (Med) and Ain Sokhna Port (Red Sea, ~120 km) / Port Said | HORECA, pharma importers & local formulators (APIs, excipients) |
| Alexandria | Port of Alexandria & El Dekheila Port (Egypt's largest Mediterranean port complex, ~60% of | HORECA, shipping agents & importers, textile/yarn buyers |
| Giza | Inland (Greater Cairo); Alexandria / Ain Sokhna · Cairo International (CAI); Sphinx Intern | hotel/HORECA, 6th of October industrial zone factories (textiles, pharma |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import kabuli chickpeas into Egypt?
Key requirements: Factory/brand registration — GOEIC (GOEIC registration under Decree 43/2016); Arabic labelling & standards — EOS / NFSA (Arabic labels; NFSA import clearance). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Egypt take?
Typically 12–18 d to Alexandria/Port Said; 8–12 d to Ain Sokhna (Red Sea) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate).
Does Egypt have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA with India (Egypt is in COMESA/AfCFTA/Agadir, not with India). MFN tariffs [S7 — not mentioned] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to kabuli chickpeas from India?
Usually HS 071320. Egypt applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What does 42-44 count mean?
It is the number of chickpeas per ounce (28.35 g); a lower count means larger seeds. 42-44 is a bold premium grade.
Do you supply desi chickpeas and chana dal too?
Yes, desi (brown) chickpeas and split chana dal can be supplied for South Asian diaspora markets alongside kabuli grades.
When is the new crop available?
The Indian rabi chickpea harvest runs roughly February-April; new-crop shipments start from about April.
Related guides
Request a quote: kabuli chickpeas to Egypt
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Egypt. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.