Egypt’s exports to China jump 200% to $841 mln in H1 2026 – CAPMAS

Egypt’s exports to China nearly tripled in the first half of 2026, while imports from the Asian country rose at a slower pace, pushing bilateral trade up 21.5 per cent, official data showed on Monday.

Egyptian exports to China jumped 199.8 per cent to $840.8 million in January-June from $280.5 million a year earlier, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

Imports from China rose 14.3 per cent to $10.4 billion from $9.1 billion in the first half of 2025, putting total bilateral trade at about $11.3 billion, up from $9.3 billion a year earlier.

The figures come ahead of an expected meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Cairo and Beijing seek to deepen their strategic partnership and expand economic ties.

Fuel leads Egypt’s exports

Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products were Egypt’s largest export category to China, generating $494 million in the first six months of the year.

Vegetables and fruit followed with $150.6 million, while cotton and vegetable textile fibres accounted for $76.4 million. Natural calcium phosphates generated $31 million, while organic and inorganic chemicals brought in $21 million.

On the import side, electrical and mechanical machinery and equipment accounted for the largest share of Egyptian purchases from China, at $4.1 billion.

Vehicles, tractors, and motorcycles followed at $1.2 billion, while iron, steel, and related products reached $930.7 million. Plastics and related products accounted for $524 million, and organic and inorganic chemicals for $423.7 million.

Remittances

Remittances sent by Egyptians working in China rose to $23.3 million in the 2024/25 financial year, from $19.5 million a year earlier, according to CAPMAS.

Chinese workers in Egypt sent $3.5 million home during the same period, up from $3.1 million in 2023/24.