The 5th Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Festival was inaugurated at the Agricultural Museum in Cairo by Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, and Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture. The event was also attended by governors of Giza, New Valley, Fayoum, and Qena. The festival features 80 exhibitors, including farmers, manufacturers, and exporters, and is supported by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).
Egypt has made significant strides in the production of medicinal and aromatic plants. The country has around 80,000 feddans of land dedicated to growing various types of plants, including parsley, basil, mint, anise, chamomile, fennel, coriander, hibiscus, and jasmine. A substantial portion of these plants, around 85%, are used for export after being dried.
The export value of Egypt's medicinal and aromatic plants has seen a considerable increase. In 2025, the country's exports reached $852 million, up from $400 million in previous years. These exports include dried products, extracts, and oils, highlighting the growing importance of this sector to Egypt's economy.
The Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture has outlined a strategy to further expand the production and export of medicinal and aromatic plants. The plan focuses on promoting good practices, tracking, and contracting, as well as integrating small-scale farmers into the industry. The ministry also aims to encourage the establishment of drying, distillation, and extraction factories to increase the value added to these products.
A key project aimed at supporting the growth of Egypt's medicinal and aromatic plants sector is the Integrated Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Samasta, Beni Suef. This center, implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union, features units for sterilization, guidance, marketing, and analysis of residual materials.
Dr. Manal Awad emphasized the importance of the Integrated Center, stating that it will help increase the value added to medicinal and aromatic plants, support producers for export, boost income, and create job opportunities. The center is expected to play a crucial role in the development of this sector in Egypt.
The 5th Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Festival provides a platform for stakeholders to network, share knowledge, and explore opportunities for growth in this sector. With the support of international partners and the government's strategic initiatives, Egypt is poised to further consolidate its position as a significant player in the global market for medicinal and aromatic plants.
Key points
- Egypt's medicinal and aromatic plants exports reached $852 million in 2025.
- The country has around 80,000 feddans of land dedicated to growing medicinal and aromatic plants.
- A new Integrated Center for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants is being established in Beni Suef to support the sector's growth.
