Apple market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Egyptian apple market expanded from 896 thousand tons to 1.1 million tons, primarily due to a sharp rise in imports which increased by 223 thousand tons. This surge was driven by a contraction in local apple cultivation areas, as domestic varieties were of lower quality and did not meet consumer preferences, forcing greater reliance on imported apples to satisfy demand. Apple prices also rose during this period, influenced by foreign exchange rates impacting import costs.

Following the 2019 peak, market volume fluctuated, reaching 1.22 million tons in 2021 before declining to 1.12 million tons in 2023. Domestic production showed a steady increase, surpassing 940 thousand tons by 2023, while imports fell significantly from 403 thousand tons in 2019 to 181 thousand tons in 2023. This shift reduced the market's dependence on foreign supply as local output grew.

In 2024, apple imports continued to decrease, falling to 153 thousand tons, while exports saw a modest rise. The import landscape changed with the entry of new players such as Polish and Italian apples, which entered the market in large volumes at competitive prices. The absence of banking issues in trade facilitated import and export operations, and farmers showed increased interest in apple cultivation thanks to improved knowledge of rootstocks and agricultural practices.

Production apple in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt ranked as the 19th largest apple producer in the world.

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In 2020, Egypt produced 751.2 thousand tons of apples, marking a measured increase of 7.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 701.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's apple output was valued at 713.9 million US dollars, showing a sharp uptick of 28.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 557.5 million US dollars, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019 at 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 thousand tons and peaked in 2017, with a 25-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Egypt's apple exports amounted to 0.4 thousand tons, representing a contraction of 39.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 96.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 405.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan (21.3% of exports in kind), Germany (19.0% of exports in kind), and Belgium (13.6% of exports in kind) were the main destinations for Egyptian apple exports, together accounting for 53.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 22-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Egypt's apple export value reached 0.4 million US dollars, corresponding to an abrupt decrease of 27.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 95.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 331.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Egyptian apple exports in value terms were Sudan (21.9% of exports in value terms), Germany (18.7% of exports in value terms), and Belgium (13.4% of exports in value terms), which jointly accounted for 54.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 180.3 thousand tons and peaked in 2019 at 403.4 thousand tons, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt imported approximately 303.0 thousand tons of apples, amounting to a strong decline of 24.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 123.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Poland (29.6% of imports in kind), Italy (28.6% of imports in kind), and Greece (19.2% of imports in kind) were the primary suppliers of apples to Egypt, jointly accounting for 77.4% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest point in 2019 at 403.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Egypt's apple import value reached 333.8 million US dollars, corresponding to a robust contraction of 17.2% relative to the prior year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 77.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (29.6% of imports in value terms), Italy (28.4% of imports in value terms), and Greece (19.2% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of apples to Egypt, together comprising 77.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020