Egypt’s food industry exports reach record $3.771bn in first half of 2026
Egypt’s food industry exports rose 10.5% year on year to a record $3.771 billion in the first half of 2026. Chocolate delivered the largest product-level increase, while Arab countries and the European Union remained the sector’s main regional markets.
Exports set a half-year record
Egypt’s food industry exports reached $3.771 billion between January and June 2026, the highest half-year value recorded by the sector, according to data from the Food Export Council cited by Mubasher. The total was 10.5% above the $3.414 billion shipped in the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of $357 million.
Growth accelerated during the second quarter. Exports reached $2.007 billion, up 13.2% from $1.773 billion a year earlier, and accounted for about 53% of the first-half total. The quarter generated 66% of the six-month increase. First-quarter exports were $1.764 billion, 7.5% higher year on year, with an increase of $123 million.
The council said import demand for Egyptian processed food increased in 108 markets. This broader geographical and product base reduced the sector’s reliance on a limited group of destinations or commodities and supported Egypt’s wider campaign to expand non-oil exports and foreign-currency earnings.
Arab and European markets drive demand
Arab countries remained the largest regional destination, taking $1.737 billion of Egyptian food products, up 9.4% from $1.588 billion. They represented about 46% of sector exports. The European Union ranked second and recorded the fastest growth among the principal regional groups: shipments increased 15.4% to $852 million and represented about 23% of the total.
Exports to the United States rose 9.5% to $255 million. Shipments to non-Arab African countries were nearly flat at $252 million, up only 0.4%, making this the only major destination group without meaningful growth. Other global markets purchased $676 million, an increase of 11.8%. Arab countries and the EU together absorbed about 69% of Egypt’s food exports.
Saudi Arabia was the largest individual market at $308 million, an increase of 18%. The United States followed with $255 million, while Jordan and the Netherlands each received $166 million. Spain posted the strongest percentage gain among the leading destinations: exports nearly doubled, rising 94% to $149 million and adding $72 million. Shipments also grew to China, Palestine, Iraq and Algeria, while sales declined in markets including Germany, Lebanon and Morocco.
Chocolate leads product growth
Frozen strawberries remained Egypt’s largest food export category at $489 million, up 8%. Soft-drink concentrates ranked second at $306 million, followed by edible oils at $230 million. Chocolate exports surged 125% to $229 million, producing the largest absolute product increase at $127 million.
Edible oils added $48 million and frozen strawberries added $35 million. Fats and salt each contributed an additional $34 million. Together, chocolate, edible oils, frozen strawberries, fats and salt generated about 55% of total product-level export growth. Other expanding categories included prepared animal feed at $170 million, juice at $145 million and processed or pickled olives at $124 million.
Not every major category advanced. Sugar exports fell 19% to $143 million, a reduction of $35 million, while flour exports also declined 19% to $131 million. Mahmoud Bazan, chairman of the Food Export Council, said the council would continue supporting exporters, expanding the exporter base and improving access to priority markets, particularly African and other promising destinations.
