Egypt’s exports to global trade blocs 9.1% up in ’24 – CAPMAS

Egypt’s exports to international trade blocs rose by 9.1 per cent in 2024, according to data released by the state statistics agency CAPMAS on Sunday.

Intra-trade with international blocs involving Egypt

Egypt’s trade with international blocs that include the country—such as ESCWA, the Sahel and Sahara Group, COMESA, the Group of Fifteen (G-15), the Arab Free Trade Area, and the Developing-8 (D-8)—saw significant growth in 2024. Total Egyptian exports to these blocs rose to $46.1 billion, up from $42.3 billion in 2023, reflecting a 9.1 per cent increase.

The Arab Free Trade Area stood out as the largest export destination. Egyptian exports to the region surged to $16.0 billion, marking an 18.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

ESCWA followed with $12.8 billion in exports, up 15.9 per cent. However, exports to the G-15 declined by 9.4 per cent, dropping to $3.3 billion.

On the import side, Egypt’s purchases from these blocs grew by 7.5 per cent to reach $40.3 billion. The Arab Free Trade Area led once again, with imports rising to $14.2 billion, while the G-15 supplied $11.3 billion worth of goods. Imports from the Sahel and Sahara Group were the lowest at $1.0 billion.

Trade with International Blocs Outside Egypt

Egypt also increased trade with major global groups it is not a member of, including the European Union, NAFTA, ASEAN, EFTA, and Mercosur.

Exports to these blocs totaled $19.1 billion in 2024, up 10.1 per cent from the previous year. The European Union remained Egypt’s top trading partner outside its own alliances, with exports reaching $14 billion, an 8.2 per cent rise year-on-year. Meanwhile, exports to NAFTA dipped slightly to $2.5 billion, and exports to ASEAN dropped sharply by 35.5 per cent to $365.7 million.

Imports from these blocs increased by 10.7 per cent, reaching $41.0 billion. The EU again topped the list with $22.4 billion in imports, followed by NAFTA with a sharp increase of 41.1 per cent, totaling $8.2 billion. EFTA remained Egypt’s smallest supplier among these blocs, with imports largely unchanged at $1.270 billion.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser