Egypt’s 41% Charcoal Export Rise Triggers Questions Over Feedstock and Trade Destinations

Export growth raises questions over supply

Egypt’s charcoal export value rose by a reported 41% in one year to $16.3 million, prompting scrutiny of the raw materials behind the increase and the companies or public bodies responsible for production. The trade data discussed by television presenter Lamis Elhadidy listed Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Libya and Israel among the destination markets.

Elhadidy raised the issue on the television program “Al-Soura” on Al-Nahar, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm. She said the total value might appear modest compared with other export commodities, but the rate of growth warranted an official explanation. She called on the government to identify why exports had increased, whether the activity was led by private companies or state entities, and how much charcoal came from each type of feedstock.

No documented link to street-tree removals

The available reports do not establish that trees removed from Egyptian streets were converted into charcoal for export. Elhadidy explicitly rejected treating the export figures as direct proof of such a link. Charcoal can be produced from several sources, including agricultural tree residues, pruned branches, waste wood and sawdust. Determining the origin of the exported product would therefore require production records and a breakdown of the raw material used.

The controversy has also focused on Israel’s inclusion among the reported destinations. The sources provide no country-by-country values for charcoal shipments, meaning the overall 41% increase cannot be interpreted as a 41% increase in exports to Israel. Christian-Dogma cited other trade data based on UN Comtrade showing about $1.35 million of Egyptian exports to Israel in 2025 under a broader category covering wood, wood products and charcoal. Because that category extends beyond charcoal, the figure cannot be treated as the confirmed value of Egyptian charcoal exports to Israel.

Elhadidy asked the Ministry of Environment to explain the sources of charcoal production before parliament. A detailed disclosure would need to separate agricultural and pruning residues from other wood inputs, while also identifying producers, export volumes, values and destination markets. Neither report provides a published breakdown of the share produced from each feedstock or connects a specific shipment to wood from removed street trees.

Debate intersects with Cairo greening policy

The export debate comes amid wider criticism of tree removal and new government measures on urban greenery. Elhadidy called for officials responsible for any violations to be held accountable and sought disclosure of the costs of removing trees, replacing them and irrigating newly planted areas. She also argued that replanting should focus on residential districts where residents directly benefit, rather than only on sites distant from populated areas.

The reporting cited Articles 162 and 367 of Egypt’s Penal Code. Article 162 provides for imprisonment, a fine or either penalty, together with payment for the value of the damage, in specified cases involving trees planted in streets, parks, markets, public squares and other covered places. Article 367 addresses particular cases of cutting or damaging crops, trees and plants. The applicable legal treatment depends on the location and circumstances of each incident.

The government, meanwhile, has begun implementing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s directions for a “Greening Cairo” project. On September 5, the president called for cleared spaces to be converted into green areas as part of work on historic Cairo. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly followed with a September 7 meeting and ordered planting along the Ring Road and other major routes, as well as an inventory of vacant state land for parks and green spaces. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said tree cutting in the capital had stopped completely and pruning was restricted to necessary cases under specified controls. That position follows a July 2024 Cairo Governorate decision banning tree cutting and severe pruning across the capital’s districts, with transfers of trees requiring review by the relevant committee and supervision from the Ministry of Environment.