Pork market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian pork market expanded significantly from 784 tonnes in 2018 to 960 tonnes in 2019, driven by the government's official permit for pig breeding, which encouraged farmers to establish new farms and increase domestic production. This growth was reinforced by a 2019 ban on imports of frozen beef and mutton, which shifted demand toward pork as an alternative protein. Additionally, the expansion of a licensed network of butcher shops selling pork improved product accessibility for consumers.

Market volume stabilized near 959 tonnes in 2020 as consumer concerns over swine flu outbreaks in China dampened pork sales, while import restrictions on beef from Brazil and India due to health scares supported demand for pork. However, the market contracted from 2021 onwards after a university study revealed adulteration in processed meat products, eroding consumer confidence, and stricter food safety controls led to the closure of some pork processing plants. Production costs also rose due to new government rules prohibiting the slaughter of young pigs, threatening the viability of some producers.

A sharp 12% drop in market volume to 788 tonnes occurred in 2023 as soaring meat prices, driven by higher production costs and reduced purchasing power, significantly curtailed consumption. The ongoing conflict in Sudan further disrupted live cattle imports, exacerbating supply shortages and price inflation. In 2024, rumors of African swine fever in China continued to pressure pork sales, while authorities issued new licenses for pig farms and eliminated frozen red meat imports to boost local production, though imports remained low.

Production pork in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Egypt's pork production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 842.0 t of pork, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 75.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.5%.

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

Exports pork from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2019, with a 53-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt's pork exports amounted to 25.0 t, surging by 1 171.2% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at just 2.0 t, while the sharpest decline occurred that same year, dropping by 95.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's pork exports were primarily directed to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for 85.2% of total shipments. Other destinations played a much smaller role in the export structure.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values varied dramatically, with a 44-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019. In 2020, Egypt's pork exports totaled 53 K $ US, rising by 725.7% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 K $ US, and the most significant decline occurred that year, falling by 93.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates were the two leading markets for Egypt's pork exports in value terms, together representing 84.7% of total export earnings. The remaining share was distributed among a variety of other countries.

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

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

Imports pork to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Egypt imported 142.4 t of pork, a 25.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 65.3%, with an average annual decline of 29.7%. The steepest drop occurred in 2018, down 53.5%, while the only increase was a modest 0.2% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant source for Egypt's pork imports in volume terms, accounting for 83.4% of total inflows. The remainder was spread across various other trading partners.

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, K $ US

Egypt imported pork worth 142.4 K $ US in 2020, down 19.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 58.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 25.7%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 49.4%, while a slight increase of 0.9% occurred in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil was the primary market for Egypt's pork imports in value terms, capturing 83.3% of total import spending. Other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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