Egypt’s trade deficit hits $4.8 billion in January – CAPMAS

Egypt’s trade deficit widened to $4.8 billion in January 2026, up 15 per cent from $4.2 billion a year earlier, the country’s state official statistics agency CAPMAS said on Monday.

Exports fell 20.3 per cent to $3.6 billion, driven by lower shipments of fertilisers (down 47.1 per cent), dry legumes (47.8 per cent), primary plastics (21.3 per cent), and pasta and other food preparations (0.4 per cent). Partially offsetting the decline were higher exports of fresh fruits (up 35.1 per cent), petroleum products (17.5 per cent), ready-made garments (7.3 per cent), and iron rods, bars, angles, and wires (5.6 per cent).

Imports edged down 3.2 per cent to $8.4 billion from $8.7 billion in January 2025, supported by lower purchases of petroleum products (26.5 per cent), wheat (11 per cent), primary plastics (16.4 per cent), and iron or steel raw materials (10.2 per cent). Imports of natural gas rose 3.6 per cent, corn 39.4 per cent, passenger cars 40.9 per cent, and soybeans 6.1 per cent.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser