Apples, pears and quinces market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Egypt's production of apples, pears and quinces increased from 786 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 032 thousand tons in 2023, largely due to adaptive farming practices and state support. Early in the period, growers shifted to low-chill apple varieties such as local cultivars to cope with insufficient cold hours, while the Ministry of Agriculture issued technical bulletins with recommendations to raise yields. By 2020, the expansion of agricultural land and vertical development of crop production provided an additional boost, and later improvements in agricultural legislation and irrigation technologies helped achieve record output.

Market volume fluctuated as imports surged from 181 thousand tons in 2018 to 406 thousand tons in 2019 before declining. In 2021, new competitors from Poland, Greece and Italy entered the market, offering apples at competitive prices, which raised imports to 364 thousand tons and intensified price competition. At the same time, Egyptian consumer preferences moved toward high‑quality fruit with desired sizes (60–80 mm), sustaining demand. By 2023, imports dropped to 182 thousand tons, partly because of rising domestic production and ongoing international competition.

The total market size reached 1 215 thousand tons in 2023, down from a peak of 1 310 thousand tons in 2021 but still well above the 2018 level of 967 thousand tons. Consumer behavior continued to shift toward fresh, high‑quality fruit, and retail prices showed upward pressure. Technical guidance for growers and the adoption of suitable varieties kept influencing the supply structure.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt ranked 21st globally in the production of apples, pears, and quinces.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Egypt's production volume of apples, pears, and quinces rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 830.6 K t, marking a 7.8% increase from 2019. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, production grew by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 770.3 K t, with the largest decline of 2.0% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of apples, pears, and quinces in Egypt reached 789.4 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 28.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value of production rose by 21.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 612.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2018, representing a 25-fold decrease. In 2020, Egypt's foreign supplies of apples, pears, and quinces amounted to 0.4 K t, a 39.3% decline from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K t, with the largest decline of 96.0% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 405.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Egypt's exports in kind were Sudan (21.3% of exports), Germany (19.0%), and Belgium (13.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 53.9% of total export flows.

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 signs of volatility over the observed years. Exports reached their peak in 2017 and fell to a trough in 2018, changing by a factor of 22. In 2020, Egypt exported 0.4 M $ US worth of apples, pears, and quinces, representing a 27.4% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 M $ US, with the largest decline of 95.4% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 331.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Egypt's exports in value terms were Sudan (21.9% of exports), Germany (18.7%), and Belgium (13.4%). This group collectively accounted for 54.0% of total export flows of apples, pears, and quinces from Egypt.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

The market demonstrated volatility during this period. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2018, varying by 2.2 times. In 2020, Egypt's imports of apples, pears, and quinces totaled 305.3 K t, a 24.7% decline from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 181.3 K t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 405.6 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 123.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (29.4% of imports in kind), Italy (28.5%), and Greece (19.1%) accounted for the largest share of imports, together comprising 77.0% of total flows.

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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, changing by a factor of 1.8. In 2020, Egypt's imports of apples, pears, and quinces amounted to 336.5 M $ US, showing a strong reduction of 16.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 405.1 M $ US, with the largest increase of 77.1% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets—Poland, Italy, and Greece—together absorbed 76.8% of total imports in value terms of apples, pears, and quinces to Egypt.

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

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