Youm7-
Egyptian food industry exports recorded their highest value in the sector’s history during the first seven months of this year, reaching approximately $4.473 billion from January through July 2026, compared with $4.040 billion during the same period in 2025, an increase of $433 million, or 10.7%.
Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, said the sector’s performance reflects continued improvements in the competitiveness of Egyptian products and companies’ ability to expand into international markets, supported by a diversified production base and increased value added across many products.
He noted that export growth was not dependent on a limited number of markets, as 114 markets increased their imports of Egyptian food products during the comparison period. The European Union recorded the highest growth rate among the major international blocs.
Second Quarter Drives Food Industry Export Growth
Data from the Food Export Council showed that food industry exports rose to $1.766 billion in the first quarter of 2026, compared with $1.641 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025, an increase of $125 million, or 7.6%.
Exports jumped to $2.054 billion in the second quarter, compared with $1.773 billion during the same period last year, an increase of $280 million, or 15.8%.
The second quarter alone accounted for approximately 65% of the total increase in the sector’s exports during the first seven months, while exports in July alone reached approximately $653 million, up $27 million, or 4.3%.
European Union Records Fastest Growth
In terms of geographic distribution, Arab countries topped the list of the largest importing groups of Egyptian food products, with exports worth $2.055 billion, compared with $1.910 billion, an increase of $145 million, or 7.6%. They accounted for 46% of total sector exports.
The European Union ranked second, with exports reaching $1.008 billion, compared with $850 million, an increase of $158 million, or 18.6%—the highest growth rate among the major international groups—raising its share to approximately 23%.
Food exports to the United States reached $290 million, compared with $277 million, representing growth of 4.8%, while exports to non-Arab African countries reached $307 million, up 2.3%.
Exports to the rest of the world also increased to $813 million, compared with $703 million, representing growth of 15.6%.
Saudi Arabia Leads Markets as Spain Records 107% Jump
Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the largest importer of Egyptian food products, with imports worth $363 million, up 19%, an increase of $59 million.
The United States ranked second at $290 million, followed by Libya at $196 million, Jordan at $194 million, up 20%, and the Netherlands at $189 million, up 21%.
Spain recorded the highest growth rate among the major markets, with exports surging 107% to reach $188 million, an increase of $97 million.
Exports to Algeria also increased to $159 million, up 29%; Iraq to $156 million, up 19%; Palestine to $142 million, up 38%; and China to $142 million, up 19%.
Egyptian exports to the United Kingdom reached $108 million, up 46%, while exports to Germany declined 18% to $99 million, and exports to Morocco fell 23% to $89 million.
The top 20 importing markets accounted for approximately 69% of total sector exports, worth $3.089 billion.
Chocolate and Edible Oils Lead Export Growth
By product, frozen strawberries topped the list of Egypt’s major food exports, with exports worth $558 million, up 7%, an increase of $38 million.
Concentrates used in the production of carbonated beverages ranked second at $368 million, followed by edible oils at $298 million, up 35%, an increase of $77 million.
Chocolate exports recorded the largest increase among major products, surging 114% to $262 million, an increase of $140 million.
Exports of prepared animal feed also rose to $219 million, up 28%, while juice exports increased to $174 million, up 17%.
Meanwhile, sugar exports declined 19% to $176 million, while flour exports fell 19% to $149 million.
Salt exports doubled, rising 100% to $82 million, while exports of fats and oils increased 50% to $114 million.
The top 30 exported food products accounted for approximately 89% of total sector exports, with a value of $3.998 billion.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables Lead Sectors
At the sector level, processed fruits and vegetables and beverages ranked first, with exports worth $1.2 billion, followed by frozen fruits and vegetables at $930 million.
The confectionery, chocolate, biscuits, and bakery products sector recorded the highest growth rate among the major sectors, with exports rising 45% to $547 million, an increase of $169 million.
Spain, Saudi Arabia and Palestine Among Key Growth Drivers
An analysis of the markets driving food industry export growth showed that 114 markets increased their imports of Egyptian products, generating a combined increase of $682 million.
Spain topped the list of markets contributing to export growth, with an increase of $97 million, driven by higher exports of edible oils worth approximately $50 million, pickled and processed olives worth $19 million, and prepared animal feed worth $15 million.
Saudi Arabia ranked second, with an increase of $59 million, supported by a $62 million increase in chocolate exports, an $8 million increase in carbonated beverage concentrates, and a $5 million increase in dairy and dairy product exports.
Exports to Palestine increased by approximately $39 million, while exports to Algeria rose by $36 million, the United Kingdom by $34 million, the Netherlands by $33 million, and Jordan by $32 million.
The top 20 markets contributing to export growth accounted for approximately 78% of the total increase, equivalent to $532 million.
Five Products Account for 56% of Export Growth
In terms of products driving growth, chocolate topped the list with an increase of $140 million, followed by edible oils at $77 million, prepared animal feed at $48 million, salt at $41 million, and fats and oils at $38 million.
These five products alone accounted for approximately 56% of the total growth in food product exports during the first seven months of 2026.
Mahmoud Bazan stressed that the sector’s export performance reflects the diversity of markets, products, and sectors driving growth. He noted that the Food Export Council will continue working to enhance companies’ competitiveness, expand the exporter base, and support access to priority markets.
He added that the council will focus during the next phase on African markets and promising markets through market studies, trade missions, and capacity-building programs, supporting the state’s targets of increasing non-oil exports and strengthening foreign currency resources.