Egypt has emerged as a leading player in Europe’s fertilizer supply chain. In July, the country’s exports reached EUR 85 million (EGP 4.5 billion), marking a 1.4-fold increase over previous figures and solidifying Egypt as Europe’s third-largest fertilizer supplier. Russia led the market with exports totaling EUR 199 million (EGP 10.7 billion), followed by Morocco at EUR 111 million (EGP 5.9 billion).
Once an importer to meet domestic fertilizer demand, Egypt now ranks fifth globally in fertilizer production and sixth in exports. In 2022, Egypt’s fertilizer exports climbed to USD 3.4 billion (EGP 164 billion), up from USD 2.3 billion (EGP 111.2 billion) in 2021, as reported by former Minister of Public Enterprises Mahmoud Esmat. By 2023, exports reached USD 2.6 billion (EGP 125.7 billion), making up 33 percent of the sector’s total exports, according to Mohamed Maged, Executive Director of the Chemicals and Fertilizers Export Council. That year, Egypt exported to 125 countries, contributing to the industry’s total exports of USD 8 billion (EGP 387 billion).
Maged also noted that fertilizer exports in the first half of 2024 amounted to approximately USD 1.5 billion (EGP 72.5 billion), with projections to reach between USD 2.5 billion (EGP 120.9 billion) and USD 3 billion (EGP 145 billion) by year’s end.
Under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the localization and expansion of Egypt’s fertilizer industry have become national priorities. The country has achieved self-sufficiency in several types of fertilizers, exporting nearly half of its production. Public and state-owned enterprises have driven this growth by establishing new factories in strategic locations such as Damietta, Ain Sokhna, and Aswan, helping exports reach USD 3.4 billion (EGP 164.5 billion) in 2023.
Currently, Egypt produces around 19 million tons of various fertilizers, with a portion allocated to the domestic market, particularly as agricultural land expands in regions like the New Delta, Sinai, and other areas designated for cultivation. The nation aims to boost annual exports to USD 10 billion (EGP 483.8 billion) within two years. By expanding and modernizing production facilities and diversifying its product range, Egypt hopes to attract new customers and increase its global footprint.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to raise total exports to USD 100 billion (EGP 4.8 trillion) annually, positioning Egypt as a key player in international markets. Additionally, the country plans to reclaim approximately 3.5 million acres of land, increasing Egypt’s total agricultural land to 12.5 million acres, a 30 percent rise from the current area. This expansion is expected to significantly enhance self-sufficiency in agricultural products and create a larger surplus for export.
With ongoing investments in infrastructure and agriculture, Egypt is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals of expanding both production and exports, further solidifying its status as a regional leader.
