The chemical exports registered $320m, an increase of 17% in June compared to June 2016, according to the Chemical Export Council (CEC). The CEC said that chemical exports in the first half (H1) of the current year registered $2.1bn, with a growth rate of 36%. Plastic and rubber products ranked first with $662.9m in H1 compared to $516.4m in the same period last year, with an increase of 18%. Fertilisers came in second place to register $502m, an increase of 71% compared to the previous year. Paper products ranked third with $252.9m, an increase of 12%. Organic chemicals registered $177m, which is an increase of 352% when compared to $158m in the same period last year. Further, inorganic chemicals came in sixth place recording $146.82m, a growth of 23% compared to last year. Meanwhile, glass products fell to register $71.91m, compared to $73.09m, a decrease of 23%. Moreover, exports of organic chemicals fell by 8% compared to last year's, recording $53.5m, while exports of adhesives rose 4% to record $17.18m and paints and inks fell by 20% to record $13.9m. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2017, Egypt's exports of chemicals reached about $1.045bn compared to $775m in Q1 last year, with a growth rate of 35%. In addition, exports in Q2 reached $1.027bn compared to $748m, with a growth of 37%. Turkey came first in importing chemicals from Egypt, at a value of $446.251m, which accounted for 35% of Egypt's total exports. Spain came in second place, with $149.166m in value, constituting 12% of total exports. France's $135.588m worth of chemicals imported from Egypt put it in third place, constituting 11% of the total exports of Egyptian chemicals. Italy came in fourth place, with $129.357m worth of imports from Egypt, marking a growth rate of 10%. Saudi Arabia was ranked fifth, with a value of $82.259m, a growth of 6%.
