Egypt's fresh and processed agricultural exports have surged past $10.6 billion this year, reflecting a nearly 17 per cent year-on-year growth, according to Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk. Fresh agricultural exports alone reached an unprecedented 8.6 million tons, marking an all-time high. Speaking at the annual Sohour celebration of the Horticultural Export Development Association (HEIA), Minister Farouk underscored HEIA's pivotal role in expanding Egypt's agricultural footprint in global markets, strengthening the sector's economic contribution. While acknowledging challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and geopolitical tensions, the minister emphasised that agriculture remains a cornerstone of Egypt's economy. He called for innovative, sustainable solutions to drive productivity and resilience in the sector. Under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt has witnessed an agricultural renaissance, with ongoing government efforts to boost exports, enhance quarantine and plant health systems, and eliminate obstacles for exporters. Key initiatives include expanding farm coding—with over 3,000 private agricultural companies now coded across 233,000 feddans—and launching the National Project for the Registration of Export-Oriented Farms to improve export competitiveness. Additionally, the expansion of contract farming has gained momentum, supported by the Contract Farming Centre, which ensures crop production meets required specifications while reinforcing supply chains for processing industries. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
