Poultry prices climb in Egypt ahead of Ramadan
Seasonal demand before Ramadan has pushed chicken prices to multi-month highs, prompting the government to expand subsidised frozen poultry imports.
EGYPT – Egypt has recorded a sharp rise in poultry prices during February as consumer demand strengthens in the run-up to Ramadan.
Officials described the surge as seasonal and temporary, linked to higher consumption patterns rather than supply shortages.
To ease pressure on households, authorities announced plans to increase imports of frozen poultry and parts, which will be sold through state outlets at around US$2 per kilogram.
Fresh baladi chicken prices climbed from roughly US$2.20 per kilogram in December 2025 to about US$2.40 by mid-February 2026, marking the highest level in nearly 10 months.
Among governorates, Beheira recorded average prices of about US$2.75 per kilogram, followed by Ismailia and Sharqia at around US$2.70, while New Valley posted the lowest levels at roughly US$1.65.
Fresh white poultry also rose from approximately US$1.45 per kilogram in December to around US$1.80 by mid-February.
Prices for white chicken exceeded about US$2 per kilogram in Damietta, Beheira and Dakahlia, whereas New Valley again recorded the lowest price at roughly US$1.35, highlighting wide regional disparities.
Frozen poultry prices increased from approximately US$2.45 per kilogram in December to about US$2.55 by mid-February, with Matrouh reporting peaks above US$3.80 and New Valley remaining the least expensive at around US$1.65.
The government confirmed an agreement to expand frozen poultry imports to stabilise the market and widen supply at controlled prices.
Domestic production strengthened in 2025, with broiler output reaching an estimated 1.6 billion birds compared with 1.4 billion in 2024.
Baladi chicken production rose by 12.5% year-on-year to about 360 million birds, up from 320 million previously.
Despite the release of feed shipments and softer corn and soybean prices, retail poultry prices continued to trend upward, raising concerns about market inefficiencies and oversight.
In 2025, Egypt imported frozen poultry worth approximately US$110 million, with Brazil accounting for about US$104 million of that total, followed by Ukraine and Poland at roughly US$3 million each. of that total, followed by Ukraine and Poland at roughly US$3 million each.
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