Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, said the sector recorded its highest-ever export value for the January–August period, supported by a broader base of export markets and products.
Egypt’s food industry exports rose 10.8% during the first eight months of 2026, surpassing the $5 billion mark for the first time to reach approximately $5.128 billion, compared with $4.629 billion during the same period last year.
Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, said the sector recorded its highest-ever export value for the January–August period, supported by a broader base of export markets and products.
He added that 110 markets recorded growth in imports of Egyptian food products, while the number of active exporting companies reached 2,731, shipping products to 179 markets worldwide.
Arab countries remained the largest destination group for Egyptian food exports, receiving $2.419 billion worth of products during the first eight months of 2026, up 8.9% from $2.222 billion during the same period in 2025.
According to Bazan, Arab markets accounted for around 47% of Egypt’s total food industry exports during the period.
The European Union ranked second, with exports rising 16% to $1.124 billion from $968 million, an increase of $155 million and the highest growth rate among the major regional groups.
Exports to the United States increased 8.9% to $334 million, while exports to non-Arab African countries reached $356 million, up 3.3%.
Saudi Arabia remained the largest individual market for Egyptian food exports, with shipments rising 18% to $423 million, an increase of $64 million.
The United States ranked second at $334 million, followed by Jordan at $228 million, Libya at $226 million and Sudan at $214 million.
Spain recorded the strongest growth among major markets, with exports surging 107% to approximately $208 million, an increase of $107 million.
Bazan attributed the increase in exports to Spain mainly to higher shipments of edible oils, which rose by around $58 million, as well as prepared animal feed and processed and pickled olives, each contributing increases of $20 million.
Exports to Saudi Arabia increased by around $64 million, supported by a $66 million rise in chocolate exports.
By product, frozen strawberries topped Egypt’s food industry exports at $617 million, up 8%, followed by soft drink concentrates at $419 million and edible oils at $351 million, up 27%.
Chocolate recorded the largest increase among major export products, surging 98% to approximately $301 million, an increase of $149 million.
Sugar exports reached $240 million, followed by prepared animal feed at $238 million, cereal preparations and biscuits at $211 million, and juices at $197 million.
The top 30 exported products accounted for around 89% of the sector’s total exports, with a combined value of $4.577 billion.
Bazan said the Food Export Council will continue working to open new markets, address challenges facing exporters and intensify trade promotion activities, business missions and market studies.
He added that these efforts are aimed at turning the current growth in food exports into sustainable export expansion.
