CAIRO, Aug 27 – Egypt’s chemical and fertilizer exports generated approximately $7.07 billion between January and July 2026, an increase of $1.43 billion from the same period a year earlier, according to the Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council.
The 25% year-on-year increase was based on data from the General Organization for Export and Import Control and reinforced chemicals and fertilizers as Egypt’s largest non-oil export sector. The industry accounted for approximately 23.5% of the country’s total non-oil exports during the first seven months of the year.
Petrochemicals were the strongest contributor to the sector’s expansion. Exports from the subsector increased by approximately 85% to $1.78 billion, while organic chemicals recorded 44% growth. Inorganic chemicals and detergents also posted gains of 30% and 29%, respectively, with fertilizer and plastics exports continuing to expand.
Khaled Aboul Makarem, chairman of the Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council, attributed the performance to efforts to broaden Egypt’s export portfolio and expand its presence across international markets. He pointed to stronger shipments to markets in Asia, the European Union and the United States as key contributors to the increase.
The European Union remained the sector’s largest destination during the period. Mohamed Maguid, executive director of the council, said exports to the bloc reached approximately $2.66 billion, representing a 17% increase compared with the first seven months of 2025.
Egypt also recorded particularly strong growth in Asian and US markets. Exports to non-Arab Asian countries increased 76% to approximately $1.72 billion, while shipments to the United States rose by nearly 70%.
The expansion comes as Egypt seeks to increase the contribution of non-oil exports to its external earnings and diversify the destinations for locally produced goods. Stronger chemical, petrochemical and fertilizer exports provide the country with an important source of foreign currency while increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to international trade.
The performance also reflects the importance of Egypt’s chemical industry within its broader industrial base. Continued investment in petrochemical production, fertilizer capacity and higher-value chemical products could allow exporters to capture greater value from global demand while reducing dependence on a narrower range of export commodities.
The council said the latest figures demonstrate the sector’s ability to withstand shifts in global trade conditions and take advantage of demand across established and emerging markets. The pace of export growth in the remainder of 2026 will provide a further indication of whether the sector can sustain its momentum and strengthen its position within Egypt’s non-oil export economy.
