Egypt exports 280,000 tons of food in one week, with citrus, potatoes leading shipments
However, Egypt’s food import volume exceeded its exports during this period.
EGYPT – Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority has reported that 5,440 food export consignments weighing a combined 280,000 tons were shipped between May 16 and May 22, 2026, by 1,484 exporting companies, covering approximately 760 food products.
The most popular food products exported from Egypt include citrus fruits, strawberries, grapes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions.
Fruit exports reached 88,000 tonnes across 36 varieties, with citrus fruits leading at 54,000 tonnes, followed by strawberries at approximately 17,000 tonnes and grapes at 12,000 tons.
On the other hand, vegetable exports reached 47,000 tonnes across 44 varieties, led by potatoes at 11,000 tonnes, while sweet potatoes and onions each recorded around 8,000 tonnes. Consequently, citrus and potatoes serve as primary commodities for nearly 200 global buyers.
However, Egypt’s food import volume exceeded its exports during this period. Egypt received 2,060 food import consignments totalling nearly 300,000 tonnes, which is 20,000 tons higher than export volumes. Key imported products included wheat, soybeans, and various oils.
On the other hand, the most critical global trade partners to Egypt’s economy include the Netherlands, as the largest importer of Egyptian food exports during the week, followed by Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, and Sudan among a total of 191 importing countries.
On the import side, Russia ranked as the leading exporter of food products to Egypt, followed by Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Indonesia among 83 exporting countries. Strategic hubs such as Damietta, Safaga, and Alexandria played critical roles in managing these high-volume shipments.
For imports, Alexandria Port processed the largest number of incoming food consignments with 687 shipments, followed by Cairo International Airport with 412 and Damietta Port with 281.
The NFSA also reported that 1,204 consignments were cleared under temporary release procedures, while 447 consignments were processed through the fast-track clearance system. Violations were recorded for 57 consignments, and import licenses were issued to 92 importers during the week.
For MEA fresh produce stakeholders, Egypt’s weekly trade figures demonstrate the country’s position as a regional agricultural hub, balancing significant domestic production with necessary imports.
The diversity of 760 exported products and 191 destination markets spreads risk, while concentrated import sources for wheat and oils expose Egypt to supplier disruptions.
Lastly, the relatively low violation rate (57 out of 5,440 consignments) indicates strong regulatory compliance among Egyptian exporters.
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