Virgin olive oil and fractions market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian virgin olive oil market began the period with the introduction of packaging guidelines in 2018, aimed at reducing sediment and ensuring final product quality. Market volume then grew to 42 099 t in 2019, supported by a government plan to plant 100 million new olive trees to boost domestic production. This upward trend reversed in 2020, with the market contracting to 36 956 t.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume surging to 44 690 t. This growth was facilitated by an updated list of approved oil extraction and packaging plants, enhancing regulatory oversight. The expansion continued into 2022, reaching 45 700 t, aided by a public-private partnership providing training to farmers on pest control and climate adaptation. However, the market fell back to 40 000 t in 2023 as high temperatures in the Mediterranean region weakened the olive harvest, and adulteration of olive oil increased due to sharp price rises.

Production virgin olive oil and fractions in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Egypt was among the world's leading producers of virgin olive oil and fractions from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume.

Top producers of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Egypt's production of virgin olive oil and fractions declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 36 000 tonnes, representing a 12.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 41 300 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 20.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Virgin olive oil and fractions production in Egypt declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 150.0 million US dollars, marking a 12.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 221.4 million US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 23.7% rise.

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

Exports virgin olive oil and fractions from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 129 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with the peak being 8.9 times higher than the minimum. In 2020, Egypt exported 412 tonnes of virgin olive oil and fractions, reflecting a significant increase of 219.0% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 82.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Egypt's exports of virgin olive oil and fractions in volume terms were Spain (26.3% of exports), Turkey (22.7% of exports), and the United States (20.7% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.7% 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, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values bottomed in 2019 at 537 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with the peak being 11.5 times higher than the minimum. In 2020, Egypt's exports of virgin olive oil and fractions reached 1 716 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic increase of 219.7% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 with an 87.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Egypt's exports of virgin olive oil and fractions in value terms were Spain (24.8% of exports), Turkey (23.7% of exports), and the United States (21.8% of exports). Collectively, these three countries represented 70.3% 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 virgin olive oil and fractions to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's imports of virgin olive oil and fractions increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 368 tonnes, up by 47.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 313.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Egypt's imports of virgin olive oil and fractions in volume terms were Syria (24.0% of imports), Spain (23.9% of imports), and Italy (16.6% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 64.5% of total import 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, K $ US

Virgin olive oil and fractions deliveries to Egypt increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Egypt imported 5 471 thousand US dollars worth of virgin olive oil and fractions, indicating a steep advance of 39.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 225.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Egypt's imports of virgin olive oil and fractions in value terms were Spain (25.0% of imports), Syria (23.4% of imports), and Italy (16.4% of imports). Jointly, these three countries represented 64.7% of total import flows.

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

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