Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s agricultural sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with exports of fresh and processed products reaching a record $11.5 billion, according to Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk. The surge underscores agriculture’s growing role as a key driver of the national economy and foreign currency earnings.
The minister noted that the total export volume for 2025 is expected to reach approximately 9.5 million tonnes over 800,000 tonnes higher than in 2024, reflecting robust growth across a wide range of crops and international markets. Agricultural exports now account for nearly 24 percent of Egypt’s total exports, reinforcing the sector’s strategic economic importance.
Citrus fruits led the export chart with 2 million tonnes, cementing Egypt’s position as the world’s largest orange exporter for the sixth consecutive year. Potatoes ranked second at 1.3 million tonnes, followed by sweet potatoes, which saw significant growth with 387,000 tonnes shipped abroad.
Other major exports included 336,000 tonnes of fresh and dried beans, 288,000 tonnes of 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. European markets showed particularly strong demand for Egyptian produce.
Minister Farouk attributed the sector’s performance to government policies designed to strengthen food security while positioning agriculture as a major source of foreign exchange. “The diversity of crops and compliance with international quality and safety standards have enabled Egypt to export around 405 agricultural products to 167 countries worldwide,” he said.
The growth in agricultural exports reflects a broader strategy to modernize the sector through investment in production, technology, and logistics, as well as initiatives to ensure sustainable water management and crop efficiency. Experts say the results highlight the resilience of Egypt’s agricultural industry amid regional economic and environmental challenges, and its potential to continue driving national economic growth in the coming years.
