Two offers for the same Egyptian mango can look far apart on price and still be identical in value. The difference is usually the trade term. Under Incoterms 2020, FOB and CFR split the cost and risk of a shipment differently, and a buyer who reads them correctly avoids paying twice or comparing offers that are not alike. This note explains how we quote Egyptian mango at Nile Prime and how to line up FOB and CFR offers side by side.
What FOB covers
FOB, free on board, means we deliver the fruit loaded on board the vessel at the named Egyptian port, most often Alexandria, Damietta or Sokhna. Up to that point we carry the cost and risk: grading, packing, inland haulage, export clearance, terminal handling and loading. Once the cartons are on board, risk passes to you. From there the buyer arranges and pays for ocean freight, insurance, and everything at the destination. FOB suits importers who hold their own freight contracts or a forwarder that gives them better sea rates than a one-off booking.
What CFR adds
CFR, cost and freight, means we quote the same fruit but also book and pay the ocean freight to your named discharge port. Risk still passes when the goods are loaded in Egypt, so the buyer should insure the cargo, but the seller organises the main carriage. CFR suits buyers who prefer one delivered number to their port and would rather not manage the shipping leg. Because we ship mango every week in season, our freight bookings are often competitive, which is why a CFR figure can beat a buyer assembling FOB plus freight separately.
Comparing offers cleanly
To compare an FOB offer against a CFR offer, add the buyer-side ocean freight and any expected surcharges to the FOB price, then set that total against the CFR figure for the same port and transit time. Confirm the port pair, the reefer setting and the sailing schedule are the same, because a cheaper number on a slower service can cost more in shelf life. Our guide on shipping Egyptian mango by sea in 2026 sets out transit times and reefer settings by lane, which helps when you weigh price against arrival quality.
Practical points for mango
Mango is temperature sensitive, so whichever term you choose, agree the reefer set point, ventilation and any controlled-atmosphere option in writing before loading. Match the term to the count and grade you need, not the other way around: it is worth reviewing our Keitt specification guide so the fruit inside the carton is right before you fix the shipping basis. We can quote either term from any of our three ports.
Getting a delivered number
Tell us your discharge port, the variety and count you want, and whether you prefer FOB or CFR, and we will return a clear Incoterms 2020 offer you can compare with confidence. To request a quote, message our export desk on WhatsApp at +20 10 9911 1918.