Egypt’s Food Industries Exports Hit Record High of $3.771 Billion in H1 2026; Non-Arab African Markets Account for 7% of Total Exports

Adham mohamed3 hours ago

1,338

The Food Export Council (FEC) announced that Egypt’s food industries exports reached their highest-ever half-year value during the first half of 2026, continuing their upward trajectory as part of the Egyptian government’s efforts to boost non-oil exports and enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets.

In a statement, the Council said that total Egyptian food industries exports during the period from January to June 2026 amounted to approximately US$3.771 billion, compared to US$3.414 billion during the corresponding period of 2025, marking a 10.5% increase and an additional US$357 million.

The Council noted that this strong performance reflects the growing competitiveness of Egyptian food products, the continued expansion of Egyptian exporters into international markets, the diversification of the country’s production base, and the increasing added value of many food products.

It also highlighted the efforts undertaken by the Food Export Council, in cooperation with relevant government entities, to support exports and open new foreign markets.

Egypt’s Food Exports to Non-Arab African Countries

The Council revealed that Egypt’s food industries exports to non-Arab African countries remained virtually stable during the first half of 2026, totaling approximately US$252 million, compared to US$251 million during the same period in 2025.

This represents a modest increase of US$1 million, or 0.4%, accounting for approximately 7% of the sector’s total exports.

According to the Council, although this group of markets has recovered compared to the decline recorded during the first five months of the year, it remains the only international market group that failed to achieve significant growth.

This underscores the importance of intensifying efforts to expand Egyptian products’ access to African markets and maximize the benefits of regional trade agreements.

Export Growth Driven by Market Diversification

The first-half results also confirmed that the growth in Egypt’s food exports was driven by the expansion of both export destinations and product categories, rather than dependence on a limited number of markets or commodities.

A total of 108 export markets increased their imports of Egyptian food products, while the European Union recorded the highest growth rate among the major international market groups.

Meanwhile, the second quarter alone accounted for approximately 66% of the total export increase achieved during the first half of the year, reflecting the accelerating momentum of the sector’s export performance.

Quarterly Export Performance

An analysis of quarterly performance shows that food industries exports reached approximately US$1.764 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to US$1.641 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025, representing a 7.5% increase and an additional US$123 million.

Exports during the second quarter climbed to US$2.007 billion, compared to US$1.773 billion during the same period last year, recording a 13.2% growth rate and an increase of US$234 million.

As a result, the second quarter accounted for approximately 53% of total exports during the first half of the year.

These figures indicate that the second quarter alone contributed around 66% of the total export increase achieved during the first half of 2026, compared to 34% for the first quarter, highlighting the continued success of Egyptian exporters in expanding and diversifying their international markets.

Arab Countries Remain the Largest Importing Bloc

Geographically, Arab countries maintained their position as the leading destination for Egyptian food industries exports during the first half of 2026.

Exports to Arab markets reached approximately US$1.737 billion, compared to US$1.588 billion during the corresponding period of 2025, recording an increase of US$149 million, or 9.4%, and accounting for approximately 46% of the sector’s total exports.

The European Union ranked second, with exports totaling US$852 million, up from US$739 million during the same period last year. The EU recorded the highest growth rate among the major international market groups at 15.4%, with an increase of US$113 million, raising its share to approximately 23% of Egypt’s total food industries exports. This reflects the continued growth in demand for Egyptian food products across European markets.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s food industries exports to the United States increased to approximately US$255 million, compared to US$233 million during the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of US$22 million, or 9.5%, and accounting for roughly 7% of total sector exports.

At the same time, exports to the Rest of the World rose to US$676 million, compared to US$604 million during the corresponding period last year, recording an increase of US$71 million, or 11.8%, representing approximately 18% of total exports.

The Council emphasized that these results demonstrate the continued geographical diversification of Egypt’s food industries exports.

Arab countries and the European Union together accounted for approximately 69% of total sector exports, while the United States, non-Arab African countries, and the Rest of the World collectively represented the remaining 31%, enhancing the sector’s resilience and its ability to withstand global economic fluctuations.

Saudi Arabia Remains Egypt’s Largest Importer of Food Products

Among the largest importers of Egyptian food industries products during the first half of 2026, Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the leading export destination, with imports valued at US$308 million, recording an 18% increase and an additional US$47 million compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

The United States ranked second with imports totaling US$255 million, posting a 9% growth rate and an increase of US$22 million. Jordan came in third with imports worth US$166 million, achieving a 24% increase and an additional US$32 million.

Exports to the Netherlands also reached US$166 million, recording 19% growth and an increase of US$26 million, while exports to Sudan amounted to US$159 million, reflecting a slight decline of 3%.

Spain Records the Highest Growth Among Major Markets

Spain delivered the strongest performance among Egypt’s top export destinations, with food industries exports rising to US$149 million, representing the highest growth rate among major markets at 94%, and an increase of US$72 million over the same period in 2025.

Meanwhile, exports to Libya remained almost stable at US$159 million, posting a marginal decline of 1%.

Exports to Iraq increased to US$135 million, reflecting 25% growth, while exports to Algeria reached US$131 million, up 27%.

Shipments to China climbed to US$130 million, recording 29% growth and an increase of US$30 million compared to the first half of 2025.

Strong Performance Across Several Key Markets

Exports to Palestine rose to US$121 million, posting a remarkable 43% increase and an additional US$36 million.

Exports to Italy totaled US$115 million, reflecting 6% growth.

Meanwhile, exports to the United Arab Emirates reached US$106 million, recording a slight 2% decline, while exports to Germany stood at US$90 million, down 12%.

On the other hand, exports to the United Kingdom recorded notable growth of 37%, reaching US$86 million.

Among the remaining markets in the list of the top twenty importers:

Lebanon: US$75 million, down 24%.

Morocco: US$74 million, down 14%.

Yemen: US$72 million, up 20%.

Brazil: US$70 million, down 6%.

Poland: US$66 million, recording 14% growth.

Overall, the top 20 importing markets accounted for approximately 70% of Egypt’s total food industries exports during the first half of 2026, with imports valued at US$2.633 billion out of the sector’s total exports of US$3.771 billion. This reflects the continued strength of Egyptian food products in major international markets, alongside their successful expansion into a number of promising destinations.

Analysis of Egypt’s Main Exported Food Products

At the commodity level, frozen strawberries remained Egypt’s leading food export during the first half of 2026, generating US$489 million, representing an 8% increase and an additional US$35 million compared to the same period in 2025.

Soft drink concentrates ranked second with exports totaling US$306 million, recording 2% growth.

Edible oils came third, with exports valued at US$230 million, achieving 26% growth and an increase of US$48 million.

Chocolate Achieves the Highest Growth Among Major Export Products

Chocolate recorded the highest export growth among Egypt’s key food products, with exports soaring to US$229 million, representing an exceptional 125% increase and an additional US$127 million compared to the first half of 2025.

Continued Growth in Value-Added Food Products

Exports of frozen vegetables reached US$125 million.

Exports of pickled and processed olives increased to US$124 million, recording 21% growth.

Miscellaneous food preparations totaled US$109 million, reflecting 37% growth and an increase of US$30 million.

Exports of prepared vegetables amounted to US$106 million, while fats and oils reached US$92 million, posting a significant 60% increase and an additional US$34 million.

Meanwhile:

Yeast: US$76 million.

Salt: US$70 million, recording a remarkable 95% increase and an additional US$34 million.

Manufactured tobacco and tobacco substitutes: US$70 million.

Pasta: US$62 million.

Processed cheese: US$45 million.

Dried onions: US$43 million.

Dairy products: US$40 million, up 30%.

Fish products: US$37 million.

Pickled vegetables: US$35 million.

Processed potatoes: US$35 million.

Exports of essential oils and aromatic resins reached US$34 million, while frozen fruits totaled US$33 million, recording 25% growth.

Gum Arabic exports climbed to US$31 million, achieving an exceptional 195% increase and an additional US$21 million.

Exports of casings and intestines also reached US$31 million, while other cheese products totaled US$29 million.

Overall, the top 30 export commodities accounted for approximately 89% of Egypt’s total food industries exports during the first half of 2026, with a combined value of US$3.363 billion out of the sector’s total exports of US$3.771 billion.

The figures highlight the continued diversification of Egypt’s food export basket and the strong performance of several value-added products, particularly chocolate, edible oils, fats and oils, salt, and Gum Arabic.

108 Markets Drive the Growth of Egypt’s Food Industries Exports

The Food Export Council’s analysis of the markets driving the growth of Egypt’s food industries exports during the first half of 2026 shows that 108 international markets increased their imports of Egyptian food products, generating a combined export increase of US$547 million. This performance reflects the success of Egyptian exporters in diversifying their overseas markets and strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian food products worldwide.

Spain Tops the List of Growth-Driving Markets

Spain emerged as the largest contributor to export growth, with Egyptian food exports to the Spanish market increasing by approximately US$72 million compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

The increase was primarily driven by:

Edible oils: US$27 million

Pickled and processed olives: US$16 million

Prepared animal feed: US$13 million

The Council noted that this performance reflects the growing European demand for Egyptian edible oils and other value-added food products. The increase in exports to Spain alone accounted for approximately 20% of the sector’s net export growth during the first half of the year.

Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan and China Register Strong Growth

Saudi Arabia ranked second among the markets contributing to export growth, recording an increase of US$47 million, driven mainly by higher exports of:

Chocolate: US$57 million

Soft drink concentrates: US$6 million

Dairy products: US$4 million

Exports to Palestine increased by US$36 million, supported by higher shipments of:

Edible oils: US$8 million

Prepared vegetables: US$7 million

Cereal-based preparations and biscuits: US$5 million

Meanwhile, exports to Jordan rose by US$32 million, led by:

Fats and oils: US$14 million

Edible oils: US$8 million

Chocolate: US$4 million

Exports to China increased by US$30 million, driven primarily by the remarkable rise in frozen strawberry exports, which expanded by US$66 million, highlighting the growing presence of Egyptian agricultural products in the Chinese market.

Growth Extends Across Several Strategic Markets

Export growth also extended to a number of other key international markets.

Exports to Algeria increased by approximately US$28 million, supported by higher shipments of:

Edible oils: US$46 million

Molasses (blackstrap molasses): US$8 million

Frozen strawberries: US$1 million

Exports to Iraq grew by approximately US$27 million, mainly due to increased exports of:

Manufactured tobacco and tobacco substitutes: US$11 million

Chocolate: US$7 million

Pickled and processed olives: US$5 million

Meanwhile, exports to the Netherlands increased by approximately US$26 million, driven by:

Fruit juices: US$14 million

Prepared animal feed: US$10 million

Miscellaneous food preparations: US$7 million

Exports also posted notable increases to the United Kingdom and the United States, with gains of US$23 million and US$22 million, respectively.

Collectively, these markets accounted for roughly one-fifth of the sector’s total export growth during the first half of 2026.

Products Driving Export Growth

The Council’s analysis identified chocolate as the single largest contributor to the increase in Egypt’s food exports during the first half of 2026.

Chocolate exports increased by US$127 million, making it the strongest-performing export product.

It was followed by:

Edible oils: US$48 million

Frozen strawberries: US$35 million

Fats and oils: US$34 million

Salt: US$34 million

These five product categories alone accounted for approximately 55% of the total increase in merchandise exports during the reporting period.

The Council emphasized that this performance demonstrates that the growth achieved in Egypt’s food industries exports during the first half of 2026 was not dependent on a single market or one export commodity. Instead, it resulted from broad-based expansion across multiple regional and international markets and a diversified portfolio of export products, strengthening the sector’s long-term sustainability and resilience against fluctuations in global markets.

Food Export Council Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Egyptian Food Exports

Concluding his remarks, Bazan stressed that the strong performance of Egypt’s food industries exports during the first half of 2026 reflects the increasing competitiveness of Egyptian food products in international markets and the success of ongoing efforts to diversify both export destinations and export products.

He noted that this diversification enhances the sustainability of the sector’s growth while reducing dependence on a limited number of markets or commodities.

Bazan added that the Food Export Council will continue implementing its programs aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian exporting companies, expanding the country’s exporter base, and supporting access to priority and promising international markets—particularly in Africa.

These initiatives include providing comprehensive market studies, organizing trade promotion missions, and del

ivering capacity-building programs for exporters. Such efforts are designed to support Egypt’s national strategy for increasing non-oil exports, enhancing the contribution of the food industries sector to economic growth, and strengthening the country’s foreign currency earnings.