Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt is preparing to issue an international tender to import approximately 930,000 tons of petroleum products for delivery in February, reflecting ongoing efforts to secure fuel supplies while balancing domestic production and refining capacity, according to a government official familiar with the matter.
The planned imports include around 550,000 tons of diesel fuel, 230,000 tons of gasoline and 150,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (butane). The tender is expected to be launched on global markets as part of the country’s regular procurement program to meet domestic demand.
Egypt consumes roughly 12 million tons of diesel annually, making it the most widely used fuel in the country, particularly for transportation, agriculture, and industry. Annual gasoline consumption stands at about 6.7 million tons. Officials expect that improvements in crude oil output and higher utilization rates at local refineries could gradually reduce Egypt’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
The government anticipates a slight decline in diesel and gasoline imports during the first quarter of 2026, supported by the increased operational capacity of the MIDOR refinery in Alexandria following the completion of scheduled maintenance work. With a refining capacity of about 170,000 barrels per day, MIDOR is Egypt’s second-largest refinery after the Egyptian Refining Company complex in Cairo and plays a central role in meeting domestic fuel needs.
The expected moderation in imports is also attributed to seasonal factors. According to the official, the slowdown in commercial activity during the month of Ramadan, which falls in February next year, is likely to curb fuel demand in the first quarter, contributing to lower import requirements.
In January, Egypt imported approximately 980,000 tons of petroleum products, suggesting a projected month-on-month decline of around 50,000 tons in February.
At the fiscal level, the government has allocated 75 billion Egyptian pounds to subsidize petroleum products in the draft budget for the current fiscal year, a significant reduction from the 175 billion pounds targeted in the 2024/2025 budget. The cut reflects higher domestic fuel prices, efforts to rationalize energy subsidies, and expectations of more efficient fuel consumption.
Despite these measures, Egypt’s petroleum import bill has risen sharply. Data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics show that the value of petroleum product imports increased to $10.5 billion in 2024, up from $7.5 billion in 2023, an annual rise of $3 billion. The increase has been driven by higher global energy prices, strong domestic demand, and periodic maintenance at local refineries.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has not commented publicly on the latest tender plans. However, officials continue to emphasize that expanding refining capacity and improving operational efficiency remain central to Egypt’s strategy to reduce import dependence and ease pressure on foreign currency reserves.
