Cairo: Egypt's food industries' sector continued to post positive results during the first four months of 2026, with total exports reaching USD 2.432 billion between January and April, up from USD 2.272 billion in the same period of 2025, marking an increase of 7.1% worth USD 161 million, according to a statement released by the Food Export Council (FEC) on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the Council attributed the positive performance to the sector's ability to maintain its competitiveness, diversify export markets, and strengthen its presence in key and emerging markets despite global economic challenges and ongoing volatility in international trade and supply chains.
Monthly exports rose to USD 536 million in January 2026, compared with USD 531 million a year earlier. Exports climbed to USD 586 million in February from USD 532 million, while March exports reached USD 616 million, up from USD 578 million in the corresponding month of 2025. April recorded the highest monthly export value during the period at USD 694 million, compared with USD 631 million in April 2025, registering an increase of 10.1 percent, an equivalent amount of USD 64 million.
The Council said that the figures reflected sustained growth in external demand for Egyptian food products and the success of exporting companies in expanding into major markets. Arab countries remained the largest importers of Egyptian food products, accounting for exports worth USD 1.126 billion, or 46 percent of total exports, up by USD 39 million from the same period last year.
The European Union ranked second with imports worth USD 551 million, representing 23 percent of total exports. The European bloc posted the largest increase among major regions, with exports rising by USD 72 million, or 15 percent, driven by stronger demand for frozen strawberries, olives, and edible oils. Exports to the United States rose 11 percent, amounting to USD 160 million.
Exports to non-Arab African countries fell 6 percent to USD 155 million, while exports to the rest of the world increased by 11 percent to hit USD 441 million. Saudi Arabia remained Egypt's largest single export market, with food exports reaching USD 213 million, up 21 percent, supported by strong demand for chocolate, beverage concentrates, dairy products, and animal feed.
The United States ranked second with exports of USD 160 million, followed by Jordan at USD 110 million, up 22 percent. Spain ranked fourth with exports of USD 103 million and recorded the highest growth among major markets, with exports surging 103 percent, or USD 52 million, largely due to increased shipments of edible oils, olive oil, and processed olives.
Exports to the Netherlands reached USD 97 million, up 2 percent, while exports to Libya totaled USD 93 million despite a 23 percent decline. China strengthened its position as one of the most promising markets, with exports rising 42 percent to USD 82 million, mainly driven by frozen strawberry shipments.
Exports to Palestine increased 47 percent to stand at USD 81 million. Exports to Italy rose 10 percent to record USD 78 million, while exports to the United Arab Emirates remained broadly stable at USD 76 million. Exports to Kazakhstan increased 17 percent to reach USD 46 million.
The United Kingdom and Iraq also posted strong growth. Exports to the UK jumped 61 percent to USD 61 million, while exports to Iraq rose 26 percent to USD 87 million, driven by higher sales of chocolate, tobacco products, fats, and oils. Germany was among the few European markets to register a decline, with exports falling 14 percent to USD 56 million due to lower imports of frozen strawberries and processed agricultural products.
Among Arab and African markets, exports to Sudan fell 16 percent to USD 107 million, while exports to Lebanon declined 29 percent to USD 47 million. Exports to Somalia, Morocco, and Libya also recorded notable declines.
The top 20 export destinations accounted for USD 1.706 billion, or around 70 percent of total food exports during the January-April period.