Cairo: Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan el Khatib stated that Food Africa 2024 exemplifies the state’s strategy to advance the export sector. He praised the distinguished participation of numerous countries in the exhibition, highlighting its significance in enhancing trade exchange on both regional and global scales.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Khatib made these remarks on the sidelines of the opening of the 9th session of the “Food Africa,” “Fresh Africa,” and “Pack Process” exhibition. Scheduled from December 3 to 5, the event is hosted at Egypt’s International Exhibition Center, spanning 45,000 square meters. It features participation from 1,018 companies representing 39 countries, including notable participants like Germany, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, India, Poland, Russia, and Turkey, which is attending as a guest of honor.

Khatib emphasized the increase in the number of exhibitors and participating countries, as well as international buyers, ma
rking it as the second largest exhibition in the region. He remarked that the exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to bolster business participation and partnerships across the African continent and the Middle East region.

The exhibition also serves as an important platform to explore the latest methods and innovations in the food, beverages, and packaging sectors, the minister further noted. It aims to build on the successes achieved in food industry exports in recent years.

In 2024, food exports reached approximately $4.6 billion by the end of September, achieving a growth rate estimated at nearly 18 percent, compared to exports during the same period in 2023, which were about $3.9 billion, the minister added. He also highlighted that Arab countries topped the list of countries importing Egyptian food industries during this period, followed by the EU, non-Arab African countries, and the United States.