Egyptian hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is harvested once a year, in December and January. Buyers who contract in October–November secure volume and price; buyers who wait until spring buy from stored stock.
The hibiscus year at a glance
| Period | What happens | What the buyer should do |
|---|---|---|
| August–September | Crop develops in Upper Egypt (Aswan, Qena) | Review last season’s quality and confirm next year’s volume |
| October–November | Market sets new-crop expectations | Agree specification, volume and price; reserve new crop |
| December–January | Harvest and sun/shade drying of calyces | Ask for pre-shipment samples of the new crop |
| February onward | Cleaning, cutting, sieving and shipment | Approve the lot sample and COA before loading |
| Rest of the year | Stored stock is sold | Spot purchases, subject to availability |
Grades and specification
Hibiscus is traded as whole calyces, cut, tea-bag cut (TBC, typically 0.5–2 mm), siftings and powder. The key quality points are a deep red colour, low moisture and low acid-insoluble ash. ONIC’s archive reference specification for hibiscus TBC is moisture below 12%, total ash below 10%, acid-insoluble ash below 1% and purity of 99%, with a reference shelf life of 36 months.
- Colour: state your colour expectation and, if it matters for your product, a colour test in the infusion.
- Cut and dust: for TBC, fix the size range and the maximum fines.
- Foreign matter: seeds, stalks and leaves should be specified.
Why booking early matters
Hibiscus is a single-harvest crop. Once the new crop is sold, buyers depend on stored stock until the next December. Contracting in October–November gives you first choice of lots and lets you plan shipments from February. It also gives time to agree laboratory testing before loading.
Tests to agree for the EU
For the EU, plan pesticide-residue testing against Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Hibiscus used as a herbal infusion falls under the general EU maximum level for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal infusions of 200 µg/kg (dried product) (Regulation (EU) 2020/2040). Contaminant limits are consolidated in Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
Buying hibiscus from ONIC
ONIC supplies whole, cut, TBC and powder hibiscus, typically in 20 kg woven bags. See the hibiscus product page and the crop calendar, or reserve new-crop volume.
Products in this guide
HibiscusQuick answers
When is Egyptian hibiscus harvested?
In December and January, mainly in Upper Egypt (Aswan and Qena).
When should I contract new-crop hibiscus?
In October–November, before the harvest. Shipments of new crop usually start from February after cleaning and cutting.
Source from ONIC
Send your specification, quantity and destination port – we reply with a quotation and can send samples.