Egypt Trade Market 2026: Strategic Review & Growth Forecast

Egypt's export value demonstrated a volatile but generally upward trajectory over the last five years. Following a peak of $51.8 billion in 2022, exports saw a contraction in 2023 before rebounding to $44.7 billion in 2024. This represents a significant 53% increase compared to the 2020 baseline of $29.2 billion.

Egypt's import demand remains robust, reaching $94.6 billion in 2024, nearly matching the 2022 high of $94.8 billion. Despite a temporary dip in 2023 to $84.2 billion, the overall trend since 2020 ($70 billion) indicates a substantial 35% growth in import requirements to support the domestic economy.

In 2024, Egypt's export portfolio was led by petroleum ether ($3.54 billion) and gold and silver ($3.24 billion). These two sectors significantly outpace other key exports like petroleum crude and adblue. Agricultural success is also evident, with oranges contributing nearly $893 million to the national export revenue.

Egypt’s 2024 imports are heavily concentrated in energy and food security. Petroleum ether ($9.25 billion) and LNG ($4.9 billion) are the top commodities, followed by essential food staples like wheat ($4.4 billion) and yellow maize ($2.25 billion). Pharmaceutical imports also represent a significant expenditure at $2.34 billion.

China stands as Egypt's largest trade partner, commanding a 31.69% market share with total trade exceeding $15.9 billion. Saudi Arabia and the United States follow with 22.47% and 19.6% respectively. Notably, trade with Turkey is the most balanced, with export and import values nearly equal at $3.3 billion each.