Egypt’s food exports exceed $5 billion as frozen strawberries retain lead

Eight-month exports reach a record

Egypt’s food-industry exports exceeded $5 billion for the first time in the opening eight months of a year, reaching $5.128 billion between January and August 2026. Banker News reported that this was $499 million, or 10.8%, above the $4.629 billion recorded in the same period of 2025.

Mahmoud Bazan, chairman of Egypt’s Food Export Council, described the result as the sector’s highest ever for the first eight months. The number of active exporting companies reached 2,731, serving 179 markets. Imports of Egyptian food products increased in 110 of those markets, indicating that growth was spread across a broad customer base rather than confined to one destination.

Arab markets remain dominant as EU sales accelerate

Arab countries remained the largest regional destination, purchasing $2.419 billion of Egyptian food products, up $197 million or 8.9% year on year. They accounted for about 47% of the sector’s exports. The European Union ranked second, with sales rising 16% from $968 million to $1.124 billion—the fastest growth among the main regional groups. Exports to the United States increased 8.9% to $334 million, while non-Arab African markets received $356 million, up 3.3%.

Saudi Arabia was the leading individual market at $423 million, an 18% increase representing an additional $64 million. The United States followed with $334 million, ahead of Jordan at $228 million, Libya at $226 million and Sudan at $214 million. Spain produced the strongest increase among major destinations: exports more than doubled, rising 107% to about $208 million. According to the Food Export Council data cited by Al Amal Al Mal, Spain alone generated roughly 22% of the sector’s net export growth.

Strawberries lead, while chocolate records fastest rise

Frozen strawberries retained first place in the product ranking, with exports of $617 million. Al Amal Al Mal reported growth of 8%, equivalent to an increase of about $46 million from the comparable 2025 period. Soft-drink concentrates followed at $419 million. Edible-oil exports reached $351 million after expanding 27%, while chocolate posted the largest gain among the main products, rising 98% to approximately $301 million—an increase of $149 million.

Other substantial categories included sugar at $240 million, prepared animal feed at $238 million, cereal preparations and biscuits at $211 million, and juice at $197 million. The 30 largest products generated $4.577 billion, or about 89% of total sector exports. Product-specific gains also explain the strongest country results: Spain’s increase included $58 million from edible oils and $20 million each from prepared animal feed and processed or pickled olives. Saudi Arabia’s increase was led by an additional $66 million of chocolate exports, alongside gains of $6 million each for soft-drink concentrates and dairy products.