Egypt diversifies exports with entry into Dominican Republic market
Egypt has secured access to a new Caribbean market for its citrus fruits as it works to steady exports after a mixed season.
EGYPT – Egypt’s citrus sector received approval on January 1, 2026 to export fruit to the Dominican Republic, marking a fresh outlet for one of the country’s top agricultural exports.
The Egyptian government confirmed the development in a statement issued on January 12, saying the decision followed talks between the Egyptian Agricultural Quarantine Service and its Dominican counterpart.
The two sides agreed on a joint work plan and technical guidelines to meet phytosanitary rules set by Santo Domingo.
Opening a new Caribbean outlet
Officials in Cairo see the move as part of a wider effort to grow export volumes, earn foreign exchange, and strengthen Egypt’s position in global citrus trade. Egypt ranks as the world’s third largest citrus exporter after Spain and South Africa, with oranges forming the bulk of shipments.
“The Dominican Republic is considered one of the main tourist destinations in the islands of the Caribbean Sea, which increases the demand for agricultural products to meet the needs of tourists for fresh fruits and vegetables,” the government statement said.
Demand for citrus in the Dominican Republic has risen steadily in recent years. Data from the Trade Map platform shows that citrus imports into the country more than tripled from 5,211 tonnes in 2020 to 17,215 tonnes in 2024. Over the same period, the import bill climbed to US$26.6 million. Peru, the United States, Chile, and Colombia currently supply most of this market.
Export recovery hopes
The new market opens at a time when Egypt expects a rebound in citrus exports after a slower season. In a report released on December 17, the United States Department of Agriculture said Egypt plans to ship about 1.9 million tonnes of oranges in the 2025/2026 season. If achieved, this would reflect a 14.45 percent rise from the 1.66 million tonnes exported in the previous season, supported by better production.
Egypt’s main citrus destinations remain the European Union, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Access to the Dominican Republic adds another option as exporters look to spread risk across more markets.
Pressure from processing demand
The outlook follows a challenging 2024/2025 season. Egypt exported 2.1 million tonnes of citrus during that period, a 12 percent drop from the 2.39 million tonnes recorded a season earlier, according to Freshplaza citing official data. Orange exports fell by 15 percent to 1.66 million tonnes between September 2024 and July 2025.
Industry players linked the slowdown to rising demand from juice processors. “The decline in the volumes of oranges exported, of the order of 240,000 tons, is directly linked to the consumption of fresh oranges by concentrate plants. Even if it is not clearly reflected in the export figures, the consumption of the factories has far exceeded this gap of 240,000 tons, and we have been able to limit the decline in exports thanks to a clear improvement in the quality of the oranges,” said Eslam Gelila, an Egyptian exporter.
Higher factory demand tightened supply for export markets and pushed prices up, which weakened demand in some regions. Despite this, exporters remain confident that steadier juice prices could ease pressure in the coming season, while new markets like the Dominican Republic offer room for growth.
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