Egypt is gaining ground as an exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables. With an export (estimated) of 3.5 million tonnes, the country is placed just outside the leading pack of the largest exporting countries of fresh fruit and vegetables. For comparison, the Netherlands and Belgium (re)exported 9.5 and 2.5 million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables respectively.
Saudi Arabia and Russia are Egypt's main buyers, followed by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Of Egypt's USD 42 billion total merchandise exports, fresh fruits and vegetables account for 5.5%, with exports worth USD 2.3 billion. For the Netherlands, it is 15% on $742 billion and for Belgium, 3.5% on $569 billion.
In 2024, EU imports of fresh fruit and vegetables will reach more than 920,000 tonnes, an increase of 7% compared to 870,000 tonnes in 2023. In 2000, this figure was 475,000 tonnes, while in 2017, it was only 380,000 tonnes.
Leading world exporter of oranges
Oranges are by far the most important product when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables. In total, Egypt now exports more than 1.5 million tonnes, making it by far the world's leading exporter of this product. Spain and South Africa come in 2th et 3th position. According to figures from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Egyptian exports of oranges would reach 1.75 or even 2 million.
It is difficult to know how many oranges, and indeed other products, Egypt
exports. Egypt's export statistics do not give recent figures and neither do major buyers, so these are often estimates. Onions, second export product
Next come onions, with Egyptian exports estimated at 480,000 tonnes in 2023. They are followed by sweet potatoes (215,000 tonnes), grapes (180,000 tonnes), mandarins (140,000 tonnes), mangoes (140,000 tonnes). 73,000 tonnes), lemons (58,000 tonnes), exotic products (54,000 tonnes) and strawberries (43,000 tonnes).
Sweet potatoes, second most imported product in the EU
When it comes to Egyptian imports of fresh fruit and vegetables into the EU, oranges are also by far the most important product, with 500,000 tonnes in 2024. This is 8% more than the 463,000 tonnes in 2023 , 215,000 tonnes of 2022 and 310,000 tonnes of 2021.
Then follow sweet potatoes, the second most imported Egyptian product in the EU with 120,000 tonnes in 2024. This is more than 20% more than in 2023. Imports of Egyptian onions into the EU fell sharply in 2024 , going from 135,000 tonnes in 2023 to 92,000 tonnes, the year 2023 having been extraordinary.
Note the strong growth in European imports of Egyptian carrots and lemons. Imports of Egyptian fruits and vegetables into the EU include garlic, beans, mangoes, peppers, strawberries, artichokes, lettuces, cauliflowers, leeks, watermelons and peas.
Egyptian product dominates orange imports from the Netherlands in first half of the year
Egyptian oranges are available from October to July, but EU imports are mainly from January to June. During this period, they dominated Dutch orange imports. From July to November, they are mainly imported from South Africa.
Sweet potatoes from Egypt are imported into the EU from August to December while onions are found on EU markets mainly in May and June and grapes mainly in June.
Click here to find all the figures
For more information, please contact
Jan Kees Boon
Fruits and Vegetable facts
www.fruitsandvegetablefacts.com
[email protected]
