Egypt’s Processed Food Industry Achieves a New Historic Record with Exports Surpassing USD 5.8 Billion by End of October 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Cairo – 2 December 2025
Egypt’s Processed Food Industry Achieves a New Historic Record with Exports Surpassing USD 5.8 Billion by End of October 2025
The Food Export Council (FEC) announced today that Egypt’s processed food exports have reached a new all-time record during the first ten months of 2025. Export revenues climbed to USD 5.8 billion, compared to USD 5.2 billion during the same period in 2024—registering a robust 11% growth, equivalent to an increase of USD 570 million.
This exceptional performance reaffirms the growing importance of the food processing sector as one of the key pillars of Egypt’s non-oil exports. The sector currently accounts for 14% of total non-oil exports, positioning it as the third largest exporting sector in the country.
Monthly Export Performance
Monthly data for January–October 2025 revealed strong momentum and balanced distribution throughout the year:
January: USD 530 million vs. 479 million in 2024 (+11%, +USD 52 million)
February: USD 533 million vs. 543 million in 2024 (-2%)
March: USD 578 million vs. 592 million in 2024 (-2%)
April: USD 630 million vs. 534 million in 2024 (+18%, +USD 96 million)
May: USD 634 million vs. 552 million (+15%, +USD 82 million)
June: USD 506 million vs. 475 million (+6%, +USD 31 million)
July: USD 625 million vs. 564 million (+11%, +USD 61 million)
August: USD 587 million vs. 500 million (+17%, +USD 87 million)
September: USD 539 million vs. 462 million (+17%)
October: USD 601 million vs. 493 million (+22%, +USD 108 million)
Total exports for the period reached USD 5.763 billion, marking the highest level ever recorded for the sector in this timeframe.
Regional Export Analysis
The Arab markets remained the largest destination for Egyptian processed foods, receiving USD 2.790 billion—representing 48% of total exports—achieving 2% growth with an additional USD 51 million compared to 2024.
The European Union ranked second with USD 1.155 billion (20% of total exports), marking 11% growth and an increase of USD 118 million.
Exports to non-Arab African markets recorded USD 432 million (8% of the total), maintaining stability compared to the previous year.
The United States posted remarkable performance, with exports totaling USD 371 million, up 36% (+USD 98 million), while exports to the rest of the world soared to USD 1.015 billion, marking a strong 43% increase (+USD 304 million).
Top Export Markets
Saudi Arabia continued to be the largest importer of Egyptian processed foods, with imports reaching USD 455 million, representing 13% growth (+USD 54 million).
The United States ranked second with USD 371 million (+36%, +USD 98 million), followed by:
Sudan: USD 293 million
Libya: USD 254 million (+3%, +USD 8 million)
Jordan: USD 239 million (+18%, +USD 37 million)
Netherlands: USD 201 million
Iraq: USD 197 million (+31%, +USD 47 million)
UAE: USD 193 million (+20%, +USD 32 million)
Algeria: USD 178 million (+36%, +USD 47 million)
Lebanon recorded one of the highest growth rates, reaching USD 172 million, an increase of 74% (+USD 73 million). Exports to Italy totaled USD 164 million, while Germany recorded USD 161 million (+46%).
China witnessed a substantial surge, with exports reaching USD 124 million, compared to 52 million in 2024—marking an impressive 140% growth.
Exports to Spain and Yemen were recorded at USD 146 million and USD 127 million respectively, while the UK registered USD 122 million (+36%). Brazil followed with USD 104 million (+23%) and Somalia with USD 88 million (+23%).
The top twenty export destinations accounted for USD 4 billion, representing 69% of total Egyptian food exports.
Top Exported Food Products
Frozen strawberries topped the list of exported food products during the first ten months of 2025 with USD 648 million, compared to 358 million in 2024—an 81% surge (+USD 290 million).
They were followed by:
Cola concentrates: USD 488 million (+4%, +USD 20 million)
Edible oils: USD 356 million (+39%, +USD 101 million)
Sugar: USD 318 million (-11%, -USD 40 million)
Grain-based preparations & biscuits: USD 304 million (+42%, +USD 89 million)
Flour & milling products: USD 274 million (-34%, -USD 144 million)
Frozen vegetables: USD 219 million (+1%)
Frozen potatoes: USD 223 million (+18%, +USD 33 million)
Animal feed preparations: USD 204 million (+50%, +USD 68 million)
Juices: USD 195 million (-22%)
Chocolate products: USD 201 million (+41%)
Prepared vegetables: USD 185 million (+14%)
Yeasts & mixes: USD 160 million (+26%)
Pickled olives: USD 167 million (-10%)
Miscellaneous food preparations: USD 139 million (-19%)
Other fast-growing products included fats and oils (USD 117 million, +69%), dried onions (USD 115 million, +55 million), pasta (USD 115 million, +9%), tobacco products (USD 107 million, +2%), fish (USD 72 million, +60%), cooked cheese (USD 72 million), salt (USD 56 million, +34%), and processed potato snacks (USD 58 million, +26%).
The diversity and scale of exported products underscore the competitiveness and resilience of Egypt’s food manufacturing sector across global markets.
Leadership Statements
Mr. Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council, stated that this year’s strong export performance reflects the strategic, coordinated efforts between the Egyptian government and the food manufacturing sector. He emphasized the continued support provided by state institutions—particularly under the direct guidance of the political leadership—which prioritizes enhancing the global competitiveness of Egyptian products.
He added that Egypt’s food processing industry now possesses all the core strengths required to remain one of the fastest-growing industrial sectors, including improved supply chains, expanding manufacturing capacity, and strong product quality.
Mr. Bazan highlighted that this year’s export surge is not merely the result of increased production capacity, but also a testament to the strength of Egypt’s food safety ecosystem, which has become a key driver of global confidence in Egyptian products. Support for the Egyptian Food Safety Authority has played a critical role in elevating compliance with international standards and facilitating entry into high-requirement markets.
He also noted that global regulatory bodies—including the European Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—continue to conduct regular audits of Egyptian facilities. Their reports consistently confirm adherence to advanced food safety and quality systems across Egyptian factories.
Mr. Bazan concluded by reaffirming the sector’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with national regulatory bodies to address local market challenges, improve operational performance, and implement advanced food safety systems—strengthening consumer confidence locally and internationally and positioning “Egyptian food” as a trusted brand in regional and global markets.