Egypt’s Top Trading Partners

by Eurasiain · Published October 26, 2024 · Updated March 15, 2025

Egypt’s top trading partners in 2023 include Türkiye, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, Libya, Spain, Greece, India, and the UK.

Located in North Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is the:

2nd largest economy in Africa
42nd largest economy worldwide

Spanning the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia, Egypt borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Red Sea to the east, Israel to the northeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the North. In addition, the Gulf of Aqaba in the northeast separates Egypt from Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt shipped $39.9 billion worth of exported products to its trading partners in 2023.

From a continental view, 39% of Egyptian goods exported went to Asian countries and 35% to European buyers. Furthermore, it shipped another 18% and 6% of its exports to its key trading partners in Africa and North America, respectively.

Since Egypt has about 107.3 million people, $39.9 billion in exports in 2023 is about $372 for everyone in the country.

Egypt’s Top Exports

The following export product groups represent the highest dollar value in Egyptian exports 2023.

Mineral fuels, including oil ($7.4 billion): Egypt exports crude and refined crude to mainly European countries.
Electrical machinery and equipment ($2.6 billion): Egypt ships cables, transformers, and electric batteries to African and Middle Eastern countries.
Fertilizers ($2.5 billion): As a significant producer, Egypt exports nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizers, mainly to Brazil, India, and European countries.
Iron & steel ($2.33 billion): Egypt exports iron bars and rods to African and Middle Eastern importers.
Plastics, plastic articles ($2.29 billion): Exports a range of plastic materials to Europe.
Fruits, nuts ($2.22 billion): Exports oranges, grapefruits, peanuts, and strawberries to Gulf states, European and Asian countries.

Egypt’s Main Industries

Food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals.

Trade Organizations

World Trade Organization: Facilitates Egypt’s integration into global trade through reduced tariffs, trade liberalization, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa: Promotes free trade among member states in Eastern and Southern Africa.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Facilitates trade and economic integration across Africa by eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods.
Greater Arab Free Trade Area: Eliminates trade barriers among Arab League members, enhancing trade in goods and services.
European Union-Egypt Association Agreement: Facilitates trade and investment between Egypt and the European Union
Agadir Agreement: Free trade agreement between Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.
Trade Agreements with the United States:
- Qualifying Industrial Zones: Allows duty-free access to the U.S. market for products with Israeli input.
- Trade and Investment Framework Agreement: Framework for bilateral trade and investment dialogue.
Regional and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements:
- Turkey: Free Trade Agreement to enhance bilateral trade.
- Mercosur: Free trade with South American countries like Brazil and Argentina.