Egypt’s food exports to UK surge 19% YoY in ’24 – FEC

By Nada Ali On Mar 3, 2025

Egypt’s food exports to the United Kingdom soared 19 per cent in 2024, reaching $86 million from $72 million in 2023, marking a steady growth in trade relations between the two nations, the Food Export Council (FEC) announced on Monday.

The FEC also underscored expanding opportunities for Egyptian food exports to the UK during a virtual seminar, aligning with the International Food and Drink Event (IFE) in London, scheduled from March 17 to 19, 2024.

Egypt’s food exports to the UK have seen consistent growth over the years:

2019: +37 per cent
2020: +25 per cent
2021: +18 per cent
2022: +38 per cent
2023: +6 per cent

Frozen fruits were the top food export from Egypt to the UK, with sales reaching $15.7 million. This was followed by frozen strawberries at $10.6 million and chocolate at $9 million.

Other significant exports included vegetable preparations ($5.6 million), frozen vegetables ($4.6 million), and tomato sauces ($3.9 million), as well as essential oils, resins, and juices.

Egypt to Debut Official Pavilion at IFE London

For the first time, Egypt will participate in the International Food and Beverage Exhibition (IFE) in London with an official pavilion, announced Minister Plenipotentiary for Trade Tamer Moustafa. This marks a strategic shift from individual company participation to a national presence, aimed at boosting Egyptian products in the British market.

Moustafa emphasised that such milestone will strengthen Egypt’s ties with leading UK retailers and supermarket chains, creating potential for Egyptian businesses to establish commercial offices and branches in the UK.

Trade Surplus in Egypt’s Favour in 2024

In 2024, Egypt recorded a £7 million trade surplus in the food industry sector, a significant turnaround from a £3 million trade deficit in 2023, revealed Second Commercial Secretary Ahmed Salah.

He attributed this shift to Egypt’s growing food exports and the UK’s position as a key European market, characterised by high food consumption and diverse consumer segments—boosting demand for Egyptian products.

Developing Healthier, Organic Products to Expand in UK Market

Salah stressed the importance of adapting to the UK’s stringent health and packaging regulations and targeting diverse UK markets, including ethnic communities and mainstream retail chains.

To sustain and expand Egypt’s market presence, he urged developing innovative food products that align with the UK’s increasing demand for healthier, organic options.

Additionally, Salah highlighted the potential for value-added exports such as juices, jams, and sauces, positioning Egypt as a competitive player in the UK food industry by meeting high-quality and safety standards.

With Egypt’s food export momentum on the rise, the country is set to strengthen its foothold in the UK market, offering a diverse range of premium-quality products to British consumers.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser