Egypt’s agricultural exports have reached approximately 6.8 million tonnes since the beginning of 2026, reflecting growing demand for Egyptian produce in international markets, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk said Friday.
In a statement, Farouk attributed the increase in export volumes to state efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian agricultural products, farmers’ and exporters’ compliance with quality standards, and continued efforts to open new markets for Egyptian produce.
He said the growing presence of Egyptian crops in major international markets reflects strong international confidence in the safety, quality and competitiveness of the country’s agricultural products.
Farouk highlighted a number of measures implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, including a coding and digital traceability system covering all farms producing crops for export.
The system enables close monitoring of the entire production chain, from cultivation and harvesting through to the product’s arrival at consumers in importing countries, helping ensure compliance with required quality and safety standards.
The minister stressed that agricultural exports are a key source of foreign currency and an important contributor to the national economy, underscoring the state’s continued focus on expanding the sector’s export capacity.
He also praised ongoing coordination among the ministry’s relevant bodies, including the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine, accredited reference laboratories, the Agricultural Relations Department and the Agricultural Crops Export Council.
These entities work together to address obstacles facing export shipments and facilitate the movement of agricultural products while maintaining strict technical and phytosanitary requirements, he said.
Farouk added that efforts to increase agricultural exports are being accompanied by measures to maximise the added value of Egyptian crops and channel export surpluses into agro-processing industries.
The next phase will focus on opening additional markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America, building on the strong international reputation of Egyptian grapes, citrus fruits, potatoes and other specialised crops, he said.
According to an official report issued by the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine at the Agricultural Services Sector, citrus fruits topped Egypt’s agricultural exports, with shipments reaching 2.3 million tonnes.
Fresh potatoes ranked second, with exports of 929,000 tonnes, followed by sweet potatoes at 280,000 tonnes.
Grapes came fourth with 189,000 tonnes, followed by fresh onions at approximately 183,000 tonnes and fresh and dry beans at around 150,000 tonnes.
Other major agricultural exports included fresh garlic, strawberries, mangoes, fresh tomatoes, pomegranates and guavas.
