In a significant boost to its economy, Egypt’s exports reached approximately $10.027 billion during the first nine months of 2023, marking a substantial increase from the $9.301 billion recorded during the same period in 2022, as per the latest data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. This increase amounted to roughly $725.371 million.
The top five countries receiving Egyptian exports in this period included Italy, despite a slight decrease, with exports valued at $2.56 billion compared to $2.566 billion last year, indicating a minor drop of $6 million. Notably, for the first time, three Arab countries made it to the list with combined exports totaling approximately $4.484 billion. These countries are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Libya.
Saudi Arabia alone saw Egyptian exports worth around $1.897 billion, up from $1.787 billion in the same period last year, marking an increase of about $110.549 million. Key exports to Saudi Arabia included copper and its manufactures worth $235.45 million (up from $181.3 million in 2022) and fruits valued at $172.844 million (slightly down from $173.847 million last year).
The UAE also witnessed an increase in imports from Egypt, with exports totaling $1.381 billion, up from $1.323 billion in the corresponding period of 2022. This increase amounted to about $58.279 million. The leading exported goods to the UAE were pearls, precious stones, and jewelry, despite a slight decline to $534.124 million from $552.697 million in 2022. Electrical machinery and equipment exports also rose, reaching $208.187 million, up from $180.42 million last year.
Other significant exports included boilers, machinery ($33.651 million, up from $11.491 million in 2022), and fruits ($75.34 million, up from $67.185 million last year).
Egypt’s exports to Libya saw a notable increase, reaching $1.206 billion compared to $893 million in the same period in 2022, an increase of approximately $312.747 million.
Major exports to Libya included stone and cement manufactures ($184.342 million, up from $64.202 million in 2022), plastics and articles ($112.046 million, up from $76.475 million), salt, sulfur, earths, stone, and cement ($64.666 million, up from $45.156 million), and tanning or dyeing extracts ($60.224 million, up from $42.961 million). Additionally, clothing exports reached $35.141 million, up from $26.231 million last year.
Turkey also saw a rise in Egyptian exports, totaling $2.98 billion during the first nine months of 2023, up from $2.731 billion in the same period last year, an increase of $249.874 million. The most significant exports to Turkey included plastics and articles ($317.12 million, up from $286.302 million in 2022) and electrical machinery and equipment ($124 million, up from $121.542 million last year).