Egypt secures first approval to export farmed fish to EU

Egypt has secured its first approval to export aquaculture products to the European Union, opening access to one of the world’s highest-value food markets.

The clearance, announced by the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) on Wednesday, covers finfish and crustaceans after Egypt met EU technical requirements, including establishing a monitoring system for veterinary drug residues to comply with European standards.

The decision is expected to be formally adopted in the third quarter of 2026 and will take effect 20 days later, the authority said.

The approval is expected to support Egypt’s aquaculture sector—one of its largest food production industries—and could boost export revenues as producers gain access to the EU market.

NFSA said the approval reflects coordination among domestic regulators and cooperation with international partners, supported by technical documentation demonstrating compliance with EU food safety standards.

Authorities are continuing preparatory steps, including certifying production facilities, implementing traceability systems, and strengthening laboratory testing, while preparing regulatory files for composite food products ahead of further approvals later this year, the authority added.

The development signals growing confidence in Egypt’s food safety framework and aligns with efforts to diversify exports and strengthen economic growth, particularly in higher-value agricultural sectors.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English