Egypt's Food Export Council (FEC) has announced the launch of its first-ever trade mission to South Africa, aimed at expanding business opportunities for the food industries sector in the South African market. The mission is scheduled to take place from 4 to 9 May 2025 in Johannesburg. Participation cost for the trade mission has been set at $2,000, excluding tax, airfare, and accommodation expenses. South Africa ranked 43rd in the list of the most important markets importing Egyptian processed foods, with a value of $26 million in 2024, a growth rate of 7.4 per cent compared to 2023 exports of $23.7 million. It is also the seventh most important non-Arab African country importing Egyptian processed foods in 2024, with a rate of five per cent, representing 0.4 per cent of the total value of Egyptian food exports, which amounted to $6.1 billion in 2024. South Africa's total processed food imports amounted to approximately $3.81 billion in 2023, representing 3.5 per cent of South Africa's total imports of $107.26 billion, according to the FEC's statement. In 2023, Indonesia emerged as the top processed food exporter to South Africa, with exports valued at $424 million, followed by Eswatini at $372 million. France and China ranked third and fourth, with imports worth $253 million and $230 million, respectively. Overall, there is a disparity in proportions between large and small countries, with large countries such as Indonesia, Eswatini and France accounting for around 50 per cent of total processed food imports to South Africa. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
