EGYPT – Egypt’s food industry exports have witnessed a remarkable upswing, with a 14% increase in the first nine months of 2023, reaching a total value of US$3.9 billion.

This surge marks a substantial growth compared to the US$3.4 billion achieved in the same period in 2022, making it the highest value ever recorded for Egyptian food exports during this timeframe.

According to the monthly report from the Food Export Council, there has been a consistent upward trajectory in exports from January to September 2023, except for a slight dip in April.

The report reveals that the peak monthly performance was achieved in August, with exports worth US$505 million, closely followed by May, with US$497 million. The lowest export value for the period was recorded in January, at US$369 million.

Arab nations emerged as the primary destination for Egyptian food exports, representing 55% of the total value and showcasing an impressive growth of 21%.

The European Union ranked second, contributing 17% to the overall value and experiencing an 11% increase. Non-Arab African countries secured the third spot, making up 8% of the total value with a growth rate of 15%.

Meanwhile, the United States was in fourth place, comprising 5% of the total value but facing a 9% decline. Other international groups accounted for 15% of the total value, with a 1% growth rate.

Among individual countries, Sudan stood out as the top importer of Egyptian food products, with a value of US$393 million and an extraordinary growth of 164%.

Saudi Arabia claimed the second position, with a value of US$305 million, despite a 4% decline. Palestine took the third place, with exports valued at US$198 million and a substantial 34% growth. Libya followed, with exports worth US$194 million and a notable 23% growth.

The report also revealed Egypt’s food exports to the United States, amounting to US$174 million, which experienced a 9% decrease.

On the other hand, exports to Yemen reached $146 million, marking a 14% growth, and exports to Jordan hit US$144 million, showing a 6% growth.

Iraq was next in line with US$134 million and an impressive 30% growth, while Italy recorded US$132 million in exports, demonstrating a remarkable 69% growth. Algeria followed with US$109 million, but it faced an 8% decline.

Italy was the second-largest recipient, with US$132 million in imports and an upswing of US$54 million. Palestine followed closely, with exports valued at US$198 million and a US$50 million increase.

Libya imported products worth US$194 million, marking a US$36 million rise, while Iraq reported imports valued at US$134 million, showing a growth of US$31 million.

Other countries, including Spain, Brazil, Morocco, Madagascar, Yemen, and the UAE, experienced significant increases in exports as well.

The report also highlighted the key food commodities exported during the first nine months of 2023.

Notably, soft drinks manufacturing concentrates held the top position, with exports valued at US$394 million, followed by flour, starch, and mill products at US$373 million, sugar, glucose, and lactose at $364 million, frozen strawberries at US$284 million, and prepared animal foods at US$190 million.

Other products with substantial export values included biscuits and cereal-based preparations, frozen vegetables, various food preparations, chocolate, juices, vegetable preparations and preserves, yeasts, pickled olives, cooking oils, and tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes.

Hani Berzi, Chairperson of the Food Export Council, underlined the council’s efforts to boost Egyptian food exports through a series of marketing activities conducted since the beginning of the current year.

Berzi highlighted the missions and exhibitions that the council participated in or organized in different countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Morocco, the USA, Turkey, Germany, and Egypt.

He also mentioned ongoing plans to organize trade missions to Algeria, Kenya, Iraq, China, Jordan, and Palestine.