A report issued by the Export Council for Food Industries issued on Tuesday showed that the exports of food industries during the first half (H1) of this year recorded $1.44bn. Egypt exported pickled olives worth $53m during the first six months of this year, as well as fruit juices worth $55m, chocolate worth $51m, animal food worth $45m, and various foods (ketchup, mayonnaise, ice cream powder, and jelly) worth $41m, according to the report. Some of the most prominent food industry exports in H1 2018 were frozen vegetables worth $191m, soft drinks worth $187m, cheese worth $139m, sugar worth $180m, millinery products worth $67m, and fruit juices worth $55m. The list also included exports of oil seeds and fruits for $38m, frozen vegetables and groceries for $37m, dried fruits for $36m, and pasta for $30m. According to the report, Arab countries accounted for the largest share of the exports of Egyptian food industries by 52%, worth $753m, followed by the EU with 15% of total exports, worth $213m. Non-Arab African countries accounted for 13% of the total food industries exports, worth $184m, followed by the US by 4%, worth $66m, and then the countries of the rest of the world by 16% of the total exports, worth $229m. According to the report, Saudi Arabia was the most prominent importer of Egyptian processed food in the first six months of this year at $150m, followed by Jordan at $75m, Libya at $71m, and the US at $66.1m. The UAE came fifth among the countries importing Egyptian foods, with $62m, then Yemen with $58m, Iraq with $50m, Germany with $46m, Morocco with $41m, and Algeria with $40m. As for non-Arab African countries, Kenya is the largest importer of Egyptian foods with $30m, followed by Madagascar with $29m, Ethiopia with $12m, South Africa with $12m, and Uganda with $9m.
