Egyptian Food Industries Achieve a New Historic Milestone with Exports Exceeding USD 6.8 Billion in 2025
Cairo – 26 January 2026
Press Release issued by Mr. Mahmoud Bazan, Chairman of the Food Export Council
Egyptian Food Industries Achieve a New Historic Milestone with Exports Exceeding USD 6.8 Billion in 2025
The Egyptian food industries sector achieved an unprecedented record performance in 2025, with export values reaching approximately USD 6.807 billion, compared to about USD 6.097 billion in 2024, marking a growth rate of 12%, equivalent to an increase of USD 711 million.
This exceptional performance reflects the growing position of food industries as one of the main drivers of growth in Egypt’s non-petroleum exports, representing approximately 14% of total non-oil exports and ranking third among the main export sectors.
Quarterly Export Performance Development
The quarterly performance of Egyptian food industry exports during 2025 showed notable improvement compared to 2024, reflecting the sector’s resilience and its ability to maintain a sustainable growth path, supported by the recovery of external demand and the increasing competitiveness of Egyptian food products in several key markets.
In the first quarter (January–March), export value reached approximately USD 1.6 billion, compared to about USD 1.6 billion during the same period in 2024, achieving 2% growth with an increase of USD 28 million. The strong start in January supported overall performance despite a slight decline in February and March due to seasonal factors and stable demand in some markets.
The second quarter (April–June) recorded strong performance, with exports rising to approximately USD 1.8 billion, compared to USD 1.6 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2024, achieving 13% growth and an increase of USD 210 million. This was driven by outstanding performance in April and May, supported by increased exports of value-added manufactured goods and improved demand in Arab and European markets.
In the third quarter (July–September), the sector maintained its positive performance, recording exports of approximately USD 1.8 billion, compared to about USD 1.5 billion during the same period in 2024, reflecting 15% growth and an increase of USD 226 million, supported by a significant rise in exports during July and August and continued export momentum in September.
In the fourth quarter (October–December), exports achieved the highest growth rates, reaching approximately USD 1.6 billion, compared to about USD 1.4 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2024, achieving 18% growth and an increase of USD 246 million, supported by improved contractual orders and increased exports of several high value-added food commodities.
Analysis by International Groupings
In terms of the geographical distribution of Egyptian food industry exports in 2025, Arab countries ranked first as the largest importing markets, with exports amounting to USD 3.4 billion, representing approximately 51% of total exports, achieving 5% growth compared to 2024.
The European Union ranked second with exports totaling USD 1.3 billion, representing 19% of the total, achieving 14% growth. Exports to non-Arab African countries reached approximately USD 516 million, representing 8% of the total, with relative stability compared to the previous year.
Exports to the United States of America recorded remarkable performance, reaching USD 438 million with a 36% growth rate, while exports to the rest of the world amounted to approximately USD 1.1 billion, achieving strong growth of 30%.
Analysis of Key Importing Markets
Analysis of the top twenty importing countries of Egyptian food industries in 2025 confirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintained its leading position, with export values reaching USD 563 million, achieving 15% growth, reflecting stable demand and the expanding presence of Egyptian food products in the Saudi market.
The United States of America ranked second with exports of USD 438 million, achieving strong growth of 36%, driven by rising demand for high value-added products.
In third place, Sudan recorded exports worth USD 344 million despite a decline of 18%, affected by economic and logistical challenges, followed by Libya with exports of USD 299 million, down 7%.
Jordan achieved positive performance with exports of USD 287 million, growing 15%, while Algeria recorded one of the highest growth rates with exports of USD 244 million, achieving strong growth of 62%.
The United Arab Emirates recorded exports of USD 237 million, growing 21%, while exports to Iraq reached USD 236 million, achieving 28% growth.
In European markets, Egyptian food exports to the Netherlands reached approximately USD 232 million despite a decline of 11%, while Italy recorded exports of USD 191 million, growing 21%, and Spain achieved exports of USD 186 million with notable growth.
Turkey recorded exports worth USD 169 million, Poland reached USD 154 million, and Belarus recorded USD 148 million.
Some markets witnessed exceptional growth, with exports to China surging to USD 136 million, achieving a record growth rate of 148%, while exports to England reached USD 137 million, growing 59%.
Lebanon recorded exports of USD 201 million, achieving strong growth of 70%, while exports to Brazil reached USD 141 million, growing 29%.
The list of the top twenty countries was completed by Ireland with exports of USD 128 million and Somalia with approximately USD 122 million, reflecting the expanding map of importing markets for Egyptian food products.
Accordingly, total Egyptian food industry exports to the top 20 importing countries reached approximately USD 4.7 billion in 2025, representing about 70% of total sector exports, reflecting the concentration of exports in major markets alongside expansion into promising high-growth markets.
Analysis of Exported Food Commodities
Analysis of the commodity structure of Egyptian food industry exports in 2025 showed clear diversification in the production and export base, with relative concentration in a group of main commodities with the largest relative weight, reflecting the development of Egypt’s food manufacturing capabilities and the expanding global demand for Egyptian food products, particularly high value-added goods.
Frozen strawberries topped the list of exported food commodities in 2025, with export value reaching approximately USD 697 million, compared to about USD 383 million in 2024, achieving a record growth rate of 82%, and alone representing about 10% of total food industry exports. This was driven by increased demand in European, American, and Chinese markets and the adoption of the Egyptian product as a key supplier in global supply chains.
Beverage concentrates ranked second with exports of USD 563 million, representing about 8% of total exports, with relative stability in growth rates, reflecting steady global demand and Egypt’s continued position as a major manufacturing hub for this commodity.
Edible oils also recorded strong performance, with exports reaching USD 432 million, achieving 41% growth, representing about 6% of total exports, supported by expanded production capacities and rising demand in Arab and African markets.
In contrast, sugar exports declined to USD 374 million, representing about 5% of total exports, down 8%. Preparations based on cereals and biscuits recorded exports of USD 372 million, achieving strong growth of nearly 40%, representing about 5% of total exports, reflecting increasing demand for high value-added processed food products.
Exports of flour and milling products reached approximately USD 340 million, recording a 30% decline. Frozen potatoes recorded exports of USD 256 million, achieving 16% growth, representing about 4% of total exports, while exports of frozen vegetables (excluding potatoes) reached approximately USD 248 million, with relative stability compared to the previous year.
Chocolate and cocoa products recorded exports of USD 232 million, achieving 45% growth, representing about 3% of total exports, while prepared animal feed exports reached USD 218 million, achieving strong growth of 50%, amid expanding demand in African and Asian markets.
Thus, the top ten commodities together represent about 53% of total Egyptian food industry exports in 2025, reflecting the significant relative weight of high value-added manufactured goods in the export structure.
Regarding the remaining food commodities included in the analysis, juices recorded exports of approximately USD 209 million, declining 21%, while tomato sauces and ready-made sauces reached USD 196 million, achieving 18% growth, and jams and fruit preparations recorded exports worth USD 178 million, growing 22%.
Yeast exports reached USD 165 million, growing 12%, dairy products recorded exports of USD 159 million, achieving 16% growth, while cheese exports reached USD 153 million, growing 14%.
Pasta recorded exports worth USD 147 million, growing 10%, miscellaneous food preparations reached approximately USD 142 million, growing 19%, and soups and food concentrates recorded exports of USD 138 million, achieving 17% growth.
Exports of corn products reached USD 134 million, growing 9%, while herbs and spices recorded USD 129 million, achieving strong growth of 26%. Preserved fruits reached USD 125 million, growing 20%, and preserved vegetables recorded USD 121 million, growing 15%.
Black honey (molasses) recorded exports worth USD 118 million, growing 8%, while other vegetable oils reached USD 114 million, achieving 13% growth. Sesame products and tahini recorded exports of USD 110 million, growing 24%, while snack foods reached USD 107 million, achieving 27% growth.
Bakery products recorded exports of USD 103 million, growing 11%, while prepared legumes reached USD 98 million, growing 7%, and other miscellaneous food products recorded exports of USD 95 million, with relative stability compared to 2024.
This analysis shows that the thirty commodities mentioned collectively represent about 89% of total Egyptian food industry exports in 2025, with a value approaching USD 6 billion.