Globe artichokes market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Egyptian globe artichoke production grew from 285.9 thousand tonnes to 311.0 thousand tonnes, with market volume increasing from 284.1 to 308.9 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by the country's comparative advantage in cultivation due to suitable climatic conditions, which facilitated rising exports to European markets like Italy. Continued dominance in the Italian fresh artichoke market and growing European demand further boosted production through 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected export volumes, but production remained resilient, partly due to sustained consumer interest in artichokes as a healthy product.

A sharp surge occurred in 2021, with production jumping to 502.2 thousand tonnes and market volume reaching 499.4 thousand tonnes. This growth coincided with increased focus on artichokes as a health and medicinal product, alongside efforts to boost exports through trade missions. In 2022, production moderated to 465.6 thousand tonnes as the market adjusted, while processing infrastructure was being developed in key locations like the village of Sidi Ghazi, enhancing product quality and compliance with European food safety standards.

By 2023, production hit a record 594.1 thousand tonnes and market volume rose to 586.5 thousand tonnes. The village of Sidi Ghazi solidified its position as a global leader in artichoke processing and export, with export companies playing a central role in meeting demand from EU and Gulf markets. Advanced processing techniques and a continued export orientation underpinned this sustained market expansion.

Production globe artichokes in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt held the second position globally in globe artichoke production.

Top producers of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

World map of production of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

Egypt's globe artichoke production rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 311.0 thousand tons, marking a 1.3% increase over the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 285.9 thousand tons, when output dropped by 15.7%. This was followed by a rebound in 2019, with production climbing 7.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Egypt's globe artichoke production also grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 675.1 million US dollars, up 29.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 2.5%, averaging a 0.8% annual growth rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 501.6 million US dollars, representing a 23.9% decline that year.

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

Exports globe artichokes from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during these years. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 775 tons, while exports peaked in 2019 at 5 982 tons—a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, Egypt exported 2 121 tons of globe artichokes, a 64.5% decrease from the previous year. The largest surge occurred in 2019, with exports jumping 237.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Egypt's globe artichoke exports in volume terms went to Italy, which accounted for 91.5% of the total.

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, K $ US

Export values also exhibited volatility over this period. The low was in 2018 at 3 114 thousand US dollars, and the high in 2019 at 10 150 thousand US dollars—a 3.3-fold variation. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 605 thousand US dollars, down 54.6% from 2019. The sharpest drop was in 2018 at 64.3%, while the biggest rise was in 2019 at 226.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy was overwhelmingly the top destination for Egypt's globe artichoke exports in value terms, making up 91.3% of the total.

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

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

Imports globe artichokes to Egypt

According to market analysis, Egypt did not import any globe artichokes from 2017 to 2020.