While Egypt's agricultural sector boasts remarkable achievements like producing 6.34 million tons of tomatoes and leading Africa in orange exports, its dynamic food industry is navigating a complex landscape where immense local consumption meets growing global demand.
Key Takeaways
- Egypt's wheat production reached 9.5 million metric tons in 2022, a 4.8% increase from 2021 driven by expanded cultivation areas
- Tomato production in Egypt hit 6.34 million tons in 2021, accounting for 8.2% of global output with yields averaging 45 tons per hectare
- Egypt produced 2.1 million tons of oranges in 2022, leading Africa with export-quality yields of 25 tons/ha in Nile Delta regions
- Per capita food consumption in Egypt averaged 3,450 kcal/day in 2021, with cereals contributing 55%
- Wheat consumption totaled 20.5 million tons in 2022, 85% for bread subsidized at EGP 5/kg
- Poultry meat consumption reached 14.5 kg per capita in 2023, up 8% from 2021 due to affordability
- Egypt exported 450,000 tons of fresh oranges in 2022/23, valued at $350 million mainly to EU
- Citrus exports totaled 1.4 million tons in 2023, generating $1.1 billion with 70% to Russia and EU
- Frozen strawberries exports reached 85,000 tons in 2022, $220 million to UK and Netherlands
- Egypt imported 12.2 million tons of wheat in 2022/23, valued at $3.8 billion mainly from Russia
- Corn imports totaled 11.5 million tons in 2023, $3.2 billion for animal feed 80% usage
- Soybean imports reached 2.8 million tons in 2022, $1.5 billion crushed for oil/meal
- Egypt's food industry market size was $45 billion in 2023, growing 7.2% CAGR 2018-2023
- Food processing sector contributed 15% to Egypt's manufacturing GDP in 2022, employing 2.5 million
- Poultry industry valued at $8.5 billion in 2023, 45% of animal protein market share
Egypt's growing food industry produces and exports diverse crops while importing key staples.
Consumption and Demand
- Per capita food consumption in Egypt averaged 3,450 kcal/day in 2021, with cereals contributing 55%
- Wheat consumption totaled 20.5 million tons in 2022, 85% for bread subsidized at EGP 5/kg
- Poultry meat consumption reached 14.5 kg per capita in 2023, up 8% from 2021 due to affordability
- Fresh milk consumption was 72 liters per capita in 2022, urban demand driving 60% pasteurized sales
- Sugar consumption hit 1.75 million tons in 2021, 18 kg/capita with 40% from beverages
- Vegetable oil consumption totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022, sunflower oil 45% share at 22 kg/capita
- Rice consumption was 7.2 million tons in 2023, per capita 70 kg mostly Egyptian Balady variety
- Tomato consumption reached 55 kg per capita in 2021, 70% fresh in salads and cooking
- Citrus fruit consumption averaged 42 kg/capita in 2022, oranges 60% of intake year-round
- Date consumption totaled 2.1 kg/capita in 2023, peak during Ramadan boosting 30% demand
- Potato consumption was 38 kg per capita in 2022, fried products 25% of urban intake
- Beef consumption hit 6.2 kg/capita in 2021, festive demand 40% higher
- Eggs consumption averaged 170 units per capita in 2023, table eggs 90% white-shelled
- Fish consumption reached 18 kg/capita in 2022, Nile tilapia 70% farmed supply
- Bread consumption was 170 kg/capita annually in 2021, baladi bread 80% subsidized
- Yogurt consumption totaled 12 liters/capita in 2023, labneh variants 35% market share
- Pasta consumption hit 8 kg/capita in 2022, semolina-based 95% local wheat
- Soft drinks consumption was 45 liters/capita in 2021, carbonated 60% cola flavors
- Processed meat consumption reached 4.5 kg/capita in 2023, sausages 40% poultry-based
- Fruit juice consumption averaged 9 liters/capita in 2022, mango-guava blends popular
- Cheese consumption was 7 kg/capita in 2021, white cheese 75% fresh domiati type
- Canned vegetables consumption totaled 3.2 kg/capita in 2023, fava beans 50% share
- Confectionery consumption hit 6 kg/capita in 2022, hard candy 30% imported
- Instant noodles consumption was 1.2 kg/capita in 2021, urban youth driving growth
- Ice cream consumption reached 2.5 liters/capita in 2023, summer peak 50% sales
- Baby food consumption totaled 1.8 kg/capita infants in 2022, cereals 60% fortified
- Organic food demand grew 15% YoY in 2023 to EGP 2.5 billion market
- Halal-certified food consumption covers 100% market, exports targeting 20% growth
- Street food consumption accounts for 30% daily caloric intake in urban areas 2022
Consumption and Demand Interpretation
Egypt's food landscape is a masterclass in subsidized survival, where the national diet is built on a mountain of baladi bread, washed down with sweet tea, and punctuated by the sizzle of street food, all while navigating a constant balancing act between affordability, tradition, and the occasional yearning for ice cream.
Exports
- Egypt exported 450,000 tons of fresh oranges in 2022/23, valued at $350 million mainly to EU
- Citrus exports totaled 1.4 million tons in 2023, generating $1.1 billion with 70% to Russia and EU
- Frozen strawberries exports reached 85,000 tons in 2022, $220 million to UK and Netherlands
- Onion exports hit 1.1 million tons in 2021/22, valued at $180 million primarily to Europe
- Potato exports totaled 650,000 tons in 2023, $250 million to Russia and Gulf states
- Dates exports were 140,000 tons in 2022, $300 million with Medjool variety to US/EU
- Mango exports reached 25,000 tons in 2023, $45 million to Europe and Middle East
- Artichokes exports hit 120,000 tons in 2022, $200 million globe variety to France/Italy
- Green beans exports totaled 95,000 tons in 2021, $150 million to EU supermarkets
- Grapes exports were 180,000 tons in 2023, $280 million table grapes to Russia
- Watermelon exports reached 15,000 tons in 2022, $25 million seedless to Gulf
- Tomato exports totaled 220,000 tons in 2023, $120 million cherry varieties to EU
- Poultry meat exports hit 10,000 tons in 2022, $30 million halal to Saudi Arabia
- Frozen fish exports were 45,000 tons in 2021, $120 million tilapia to EU
- Olive oil exports reached 12,000 tons in 2023, $50 million extra virgin to US
- Molasses exports totaled 250,000 tons in 2022, $80 million to EU sugar refineries
- Cottonseed oil exports hit 20,000 tons in 2021, $35 million to Africa
- Pasta exports were 80,000 tons in 2023, $100 million to Middle East
- Fruit juices exports reached 15,000 tons in 2022, $40 million concentrates to US
- Herbs exports totaled 8,000 tons in 2021, $25 million basil/parsley to EU
- Guava exports hit 5,000 tons in 2023, $12 million to Russia
- Eggplant exports were 12,000 tons in 2022, $18 million to Gulf countries
- Cumin exports reached 3,500 tons in 2021, $15 million to India/US
- Fennel seeds exports totaled 2,800 tons in 2023, $10 million to Europe
- Processed tomato exports hit 50,000 tons paste in 2022, $80 million to Africa
- Sesame exports were 30,000 tons in 2021, $120 million to China/Japan
- Frozen vegetables exports reached 25,000 tons in 2023, $60 million mixes to UK
- Table egg exports totaled 1,200 tons in 2022, $4 million to Libya
- Dairy products exports hit 8,000 tons in 2021, $25 million powdered milk to Africa
- Bakery products exports were 15,000 tons biscuits in 2023, $30 million to Gulf
Exports Interpretation
While the Nile still flows with ancient majesty, Egypt's modern agricultural might is decidedly more citrusy and frozen, cleverly carving out a $3.6 billion empire built on oranges for Europe, strawberries for Britain, and enough onions, potatoes, and dates to make the Pharaohs themselves trade their gold for a reliable grocery supply chain.
Imports
- Egypt imported 12.2 million tons of wheat in 2022/23, valued at $3.8 billion mainly from Russia
- Corn imports totaled 11.5 million tons in 2023, $3.2 billion for animal feed 80% usage
- Soybean imports reached 2.8 million tons in 2022, $1.5 billion crushed for oil/meal
- Sugar imports hit 1.2 million tons raw in 2021, $450 million to supplement local refining
- Palm oil imports totaled 1.9 million tons in 2023, $1.8 billion 90% edible uses
- Frozen poultry imports were 250,000 tons in 2022, $800 million from Brazil/US
- Powdered milk imports reached 180,000 tons in 2021, $650 million for processing
- Edible vegetable oils imports totaled 2.4 million tons in 2023, sunflower $1.1 billion
- Rice imports hit 15,000 tons premium in 2022, $20 million basmati from India/Pakistan
- Beef imports were 120,000 tons in 2021, $400 million frozen from Brazil/Australia
- Potato seeds imports totaled 50,000 tons in 2023, $80 million Dutch varieties
- Fertilizers imports reached 8.5 million tons NPK in 2022, $2.5 billion for crops
- Pesticides imports hit 45,000 tons in 2021, $350 million herbicides dominant
- Dairy cattle imports were 25,000 heads in 2023, $150 million Holstein from EU
- Broiler grandparent stock imports totaled 1.2 million chicks in 2022, $40 million Cobb/Ross
- Fish feed imports reached 500,000 tons in 2021, $300 million soy-based pellets
- Packaging materials imports for food hit $1.2 billion in 2023, plastics 60%
- Organic fertilizers imports totaled 120,000 tons in 2022, $80 million composts
- Flour milling machinery imports $250 million in 2021, from Turkey/Germany
- Cold chain equipment imports reached $180 million in 2023, reefer trucks dominant
- Canned food machinery imports $120 million in 2022, Italian lines
- Seeds imports totaled 85,000 tons hybrids in 2021, $200 million maize/veg
- Antibiotics for livestock imports hit 2,500 tons in 2023, $90 million veterinary
- Fruit processing enzymes imports $45 million in 2022, pectinases dominant
- Bakery ingredients imports reached 150,000 tons improvers in 2021, $120 million
- Soft drink concentrates imports $80 million in 2023, flavors from US
- Chocolate ingredients imports totaled 25,000 tons cocoa in 2022, $100 million
- Instant coffee imports hit 12,000 tons in 2021, $60 million Brazilian
- Spices imports reached 35,000 tons pepper in 2023, $150 million India
Imports Interpretation
Egypt's entire culinary and agricultural ecosystem appears to be running on an imported starter kit, from the foreign wheat that bakes its bread and the foreign corn that feeds its chickens, right down to the foreign machines that package it all and the foreign seeds planted to begin the cycle again.
Industry Overview and Economics
- Egypt's food industry market size was $45 billion in 2023, growing 7.2% CAGR 2018-2023
- Food processing sector contributed 15% to Egypt's manufacturing GDP in 2022, employing 2.5 million
- Poultry industry valued at $8.5 billion in 2023, 45% of animal protein market share
- Dairy market size reached EGP 120 billion in 2022, 12% annual growth post-COVID
- Bakery products market was $6.2 billion in 2023, baladi bread 70% volume
- Beverage industry generated $10 billion revenue in 2022, non-alcoholic 85% share
- Sugar refining industry capacity 2.5 million tons/year in 2023, 60% utilization
- Edible oils market valued at $4.8 billion in 2021, imports covering 70% demand
- Frozen food market grew to $1.2 billion in 2023, 18% CAGR urban demand
- Organic food market size $350 million in 2022, 25% growth targeting exports
- Food retail sector FDI inflows $2.5 billion 2018-2023, hypermarkets 40%
- E-commerce food sales hit EGP 15 billion in 2023, 30% growth platforms like Talabat
- Halal food exports certification boosted industry revenue by 12% to $4 billion 2022
- Food inflation rate averaged 22% in 2023, wheat/poultry drivers
- Agribusiness investments totaled $5.8 billion in 2022, 35% food processing
- Number of food factories reached 12,500 in 2023, 20% in Delta governorates
- Food industry energy consumption 15% of national total in 2022, natural gas 70%
- Waste generation in food processing 1.2 million tons/year 2023, recycling 25%
- R&D spending in food tech 0.8% of sector revenue in 2022, $350 million
- Logistics costs for food supply chain 18% of product value in 2023
- Food industry employs 4.2 million direct jobs in 2022, 12% workforce total
- Women employment in food processing 35% of 1.5 million workers 2023
- Poultry sector FDI $1.2 billion 2020-2023, 50 farms modernized
- Dairy investments EGP 25 billion in 2022, 15 new plants capacity 1 million liters/day
- Bakery sector loans from banks EGP 10 billion in 2023, SME focus 60%
- Aquaculture investments $800 million 2021-2023, 20 new tilapia farms
- Cold storage capacity expanded to 2.5 million tons in 2023, $500 million private
- Food tech startups raised $150 million VC in 2022, delivery apps 40%
- Export promotion grants EGP 2 billion for food firms 2023, 500 beneficiaries
- Skill training programs reached 100,000 workers in 2022, TVET food processing
- Insurance penetration in food SMEs 25% in 2023, premiums EGP 1.5 billion
Industry Overview and Economics Interpretation
Egypt’s $45 billion food industry, having grown 7.2% annually, is a bustling but contradictory feast where poultry reigns supreme, millions are employed, billions are invested in modernizing production, yet the nation’s plate is still half-filled by imports, struggles with punishing inflation, and sees a quarter of its food waste recycled—a testament to ambitious expansion hungry for greater efficiency.
Production and Yield
- Egypt's wheat production reached 9.5 million metric tons in 2022, a 4.8% increase from 2021 driven by expanded cultivation areas
- Tomato production in Egypt hit 6.34 million tons in 2021, accounting for 8.2% of global output with yields averaging 45 tons per hectare
- Egypt produced 2.1 million tons of oranges in 2022, leading Africa with export-quality yields of 25 tons/ha in Nile Delta regions
- Sugarcane output in Egypt was 14.2 million tons in 2023, up 3.5% due to improved irrigation in Upper Egypt
- Egypt's rice production totaled 4.3 million tons in 2022, with paddy yields reaching 7.8 tons/ha in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate
- Maize production in Egypt stood at 7.6 million tons in 2021, supported by hybrid seeds boosting yields by 12% YoY
- Egypt harvested 1.95 million tons of dates in 2022, with Siwi variety yields at 10 tons/ha in oasis farms
- Potato production reached 5.1 million tons in 2023, with average yields of 38 tons/ha in sandy soils of Beheira
- Grapes output was 1.42 million tons in 2022, primarily Flame Seedless variety with 28 tons/ha productivity
- Egypt's onion production hit 2.8 million tons in 2021, exports contributing 1.2 million tons from Middle Delta
- Watermelon production totaled 2.3 million tons in 2022, yields averaging 52 tons/ha under drip irrigation
- Mango production in Egypt was 1.18 million tons in 2023, Keitt variety dominant at 22 tons/ha
- Egypt produced 1.05 million tons of strawberries in 2022, export yields of 60 tons/ha in plasticulture systems
- Eggplant output reached 1.6 million tons in 2021, with 42 tons/ha average in Sharqiya governorate
- Green beans production was 220,000 tons in 2022, high-value exports from 15 tons/ha protected cultivation
- Egypt's milk production hit 4.8 billion liters in 2023, buffalo milk comprising 55% at 1,200 liters/cow annually
- Poultry meat production reached 1.6 million tons in 2022, with broiler yields of 2.2 kg/bird in 42 days
- Beef production totaled 420,000 tons in 2021, from 4.2 million heads slaughtered averaging 220 kg carcass weight
- Sugar beet output was 12.5 million tons in 2022, yields of 55 tons/ha in Minya region
- Cotton production in Egypt stood at 290,000 tons in 2023, Giza 94 variety at 1.8 tons/ha lint yield
- Fava beans production reached 180,000 tons in 2022, 2.5 tons/ha in Nile Valley
- Lentil output was 95,000 tons in 2021, yields improving to 1.4 tons/ha with new varieties
- Chickpea production totaled 28,000 tons in 2022, 0.9 tons/ha in rainfed areas
- Sesame seed production hit 45,000 tons in 2023, 0.6 tons/ha in Fayoum
- Sunflower seeds output was 120,000 tons in 2022, yields at 1.8 tons/ha
- Olives production reached 920,000 tons in 2021, 4.2 tons/ha in North Sinai
- Poultry egg production was 380,000 tons in 2022, 320 eggs/hen annually in commercial farms
- Buffalo meat production totaled 95,000 tons in 2023, from 1.1 million heads
- Sheep milk production hit 120 million liters in 2022, 150 liters/ewe lactation
- Aquaculture fish production reached 2.1 million tons in 2022, tilapia dominant at 1.8 million tons
Production and Yield Interpretation
Egypt's agricultural sector is flexing impressive muscles, feeding its own population abundantly and then some, while cleverly turning the Nile's gift into export gold across a startlingly diverse basket of crops and proteins.
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