Egypt moves to reform Agricultural Cooperatives Law as EU eases potato export rules

EGYPT – Egypt’s agricultural sector is witnessing a period of major policy engagement, as senior government officials continue discussions on proposed changes to the Agricultural Cooperatives Law while also welcoming new European Union regulations that support the country’s potato exports.

Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk met with Minister of Parliamentary, Legal, and Political Communication Affairs Mahmoud Fawzi to review the draft amendments to the Agricultural Cooperatives Law.

The meeting centered on improving the law to reflect today’s farming realities and help cooperatives better serve smallholder farmers.

Farouk stated that updating the law will help cooperatives provide services more effectively, including access to farm inputs, advisory support, and financing.

“We must finalize the law to meet farmers’ aspirations,” he said. “Agricultural associations are a key resource for them, and they must be revitalized to support productivity and economic inclusion.”

The proposed law is expected to improve how cooperatives work within Egypt’s economy by strengthening links between production and market access.

Fawzi highlighted the importance of building a law that reflects the voices of farmers and stakeholders.

“We are committed to working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture on a consensus-based law that addresses the sector’s needs,” he said. He added that the bill is essential to modernizing agriculture in line with national goals.

Officials confirmed that more meetings will take place to finalize the legal text before submitting it to the Cabinet and eventually to Parliament for approval.

EU regulation boosts potato export prospects

In a parallel development, Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture announced that the European Union has approved Regulation No. 1289/2025, a new rule that simplifies the export process for Egyptian table potatoes. The change comes as Egypt recorded its highest-ever potato export volume, over 1.3 million tonnes.

Mohamed El-Mansy, head of the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine, explained that the regulation supports Egyptian exports by easing weight limits and reducing sample inspections.

“These amendments will streamline the export process for Egyptian potatoes cultivated in brown rot-free zones,” said El-Mansy. “They are also expected to lower the cost of sample analysis upon entry into the EU.”

The regulation reflects ongoing cooperation between Egypt’s Plant Quarantine Authority, the Brown Rot Control and Survey Project, and the Supreme Committee for Potato Export Regulation. It also involved engagement with European partners.

El-Mansy expressed gratitude to all involved and noted that the rules meet EU plant health standards. “This step reinforces Egypt’s position as a trusted agricultural exporter to Europe,” he said.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture said the Plant Quarantine Authority will continue efforts to strengthen market access and build on the progress made in the potato sector.

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