Egypt's food industry has achieved significant growth in exports, reaching $5.13 billion during the period from January to August 2026. This represents a growth rate of 10.8% compared to the same period in 2025, with an increase of $499 million. The growth in exports is attributed to the efforts of the Egyptian government to enhance non-oil exports and increase the competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets.
The food industry's export performance is considered one of the best in the history of the sector, with the highest value of exports recorded in the first eight months. This achievement reflects the increasing competitiveness of Egyptian food products and the success of exporting companies in expanding their presence in external markets. The growth in exports is driven by a diverse production base and high value-added products.
The export growth is also attributed to the efforts of the Export Council for Food Industries, which is working in cooperation with various concerned parties to support exports and enhance access to external markets. The council's efforts have led to an increase in the number of exporting companies and the expansion of export markets. A total of 2,731 companies were actively exporting during the period, with exports reaching 179 markets worldwide.
The analysis of export performance by quarter shows that the first quarter of 2026 recorded exports of $1.769 billion, representing a growth rate of 7.8% compared to the same quarter in 2025. The second quarter recorded exports of $2.050 billion, with a growth rate of 15.6%. The months of July and August also recorded significant growth, with exports reaching $681 million and $628 million, respectively.
In terms of geographical distribution, Arab countries continued to lead the list of importing countries, with exports reaching $2.419 billion during the period. This represents a growth rate of 8.9% compared to the same period in 2025. The European Union came in second, with exports reaching $1.124 billion, representing a growth rate of 16%. The United States also recorded significant growth, with exports reaching $334 million.
The analysis of major importing markets shows that Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the largest importer of Egyptian food products, with exports reaching $423 million during the period. The United States came in second, with exports reaching $334 million. Other major importing markets include Jordan, Libya, and Sudan. Spain recorded the highest growth rate among major importing markets, with exports increasing to $208 million.
The analysis of exported food products shows that frozen strawberries topped the list of major exports, with a value of $617 million during the period. Other major exports include beverage industry concentrates, edible oils, and chocolate. The growth in exports is driven by a diverse range of products, with the top 30 products accounting for 89% of total food industry exports.
Key points
- Egypt's food industry exports reached $5.13 billion in the first eight months of 2026, with a growth rate of 11%.
- The growth in exports is driven by a diverse production base and high value-added products.
- Arab countries and the European Union are the main markets for Egyptian food products, with exports reaching $2.419 billion and $1.124 billion, respectively.
