Egypt's agricultural exports rose 2 percent during the first ten months of 2017, recording $1.845 billion compared to $1.806 billion last year, its agricultural export council said Wednesday. Ten countries have captured 65 percent of the Egyptian agricultural exports, the report said, showing Russia on the top of the list, receiving exports worth $282 million. Saudi Arabia ranked second, as exports to the Kingdom reached $240.39 million, followed by Netherlands, receiving $138.95 million. Exports to Britain and Northern Ireland recorded $121.80 million, the report added. Exports to the UAE hit $96.98 million, while to Italy and Kuwait, they recorded $85.55 million and $82.93 million, respectively. Egypt's agricultural exporters have seen a surge in demand since the country floated its currency last November, allowing it to roughly halve in value as part of reforms tied to a three-year $12 billion International Monetary Fund loan agreement. The export growth comes after a turbulent year for Egyptian produce, with a Hepatitis A scare in North America linked to Egyptian strawberries and a temporary ban on Egyptian fruits and vegetables in Russia, one of Cairo's major buyers.
