Egypt’s agricultural exports reach US$11.5B in 2025, driven by citrus and rising global demand

EGYPT – Egypt’s fresh and processed agricultural exports reached US$11.5B in 2025, according to Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa Farouk, marking the highest value on record and highlighting agriculture’s growing role in the national economy.

Farouk said agricultural exports accounted for nearly 24% of Egypt’s total exports, while total export volumes reached about 9.5 million tonnes, up by more than 800,000 tonnes from 2024. “2025 marked an exceptional year for agricultural exports in terms of both volume and value,” he said.

Official data from the Central Administration of Agricultural Quarantine shows citrus fruits at the top of Egypt’s export list, with about 2 million tonnes shipped in 2025. Egypt retained its position as the world’s largest orange exporter for the sixth year in a row.

Potatoes ranked second with 1.3 million tonnes, followed by sweet potatoes at 387,000 tonnes. Other major exports included 336,000 tonnes of fresh and dried beans, 288,000 tonnes of fresh onions, 191,000 tonnes of grapes, 136,000 tonnes of pomegranates, 126,000 tonnes of mangoes, 68,000 tonnes of tomatoes, and 64,000 tonnes of strawberries.

Farouk said demand from European markets showed strong growth across several crops. “Egyptian agricultural products enjoy strong trust in global markets because they meet strict quality standards,” he said.

Strategy, quality and market expansion

Farouk linked the strong performance to the state’s strategy to strengthen food security and increase foreign currency earnings from agriculture. Egypt now exports around 405 agricultural products to 167 countries, which confirms its status as a major global supplier.

He praised farmers, exporters and regulators for their contribution to export growth. He also highlighted the role of agricultural quarantine authorities and reference laboratories in ensuring product safety. “We continue to work with relevant bodies to open new markets and support export growth,” he said.

The minister also pointed to the full digitisation of agricultural quarantine services, which has shortened inspection and certification procedures and sped up export processes.

New markets and competitive measures

Mohamed El Mansi, Head of the Central Administration of Agricultural Quarantine, said Egypt opened more than 25 new export markets in 2025, with a focus on East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. “These new markets reflect sustained efforts to expand Egypt’s global reach,” he said.

El Mansi highlighted measures that strengthened export competitiveness, including the farm coding system, which allows traceability from farms to consumers, and strict compliance with international plant health and quality standards. “These steps helped Egyptian products gain stronger acceptance in European and Gulf markets,” he said.

Together, rising volumes, market expansion and improved systems have strengthened Egypt’s agricultural export sector, with continued growth expected as global demand and market access widen.

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