Egypt’s chemical industry leads non-petroleum exports with 17% growth

Data from Egypt’s General Authority for Export and Import Control showed that exports from the chemical and fertiliser sector topped the list of Egyptian non-petroleum exports during the period from January to May 2026, totalling US$4.874 billion, compared with US$4.171 billion during the same period in 2025.

Sada El-Balad, a partner of TV BRICS, reported the figures, according to official sector data, which showed that exports from the chemical and fertiliser sector achieved a growth rate of 17 per cent, thereby accounting for approximately 23 per cent of Egypt’s total non-petroleum exports.

The report noted that the sector retained its top position among the largest export sectors, an indicator reflecting the industry’s continued recovery and the increasing competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets.

Fertilisers maintained their position as the largest export category within the sector, with a value of US$1.453 billion (a 6 per cent increase), while plastics and polymers achieved the highest growth rate among the main sectors, with exports rising to US$1.137 billion compared with US$704 million during the same period last year, representing a growth rate of 62 per cent.

Exports of miscellaneous chemicals also reached US$1.002 billion (a 27 per cent increase), while petrochemical exports stood at US$385 million (a 4 per cent increase), and exports of inorganic chemicals rose to US$148 million (a 14 per cent increase).

In terms of overseas markets, exports to the top ten importing countries rose to US$2.966 billion, compared with US$2.190 billion during the same period in 2025, representing a growth rate of 35 per cent; these markets accounted for 61 per cent of the sector’s total exports.

India ranked second (US$472 million), Brazil fifth (US$246 million), followed by China (US$241 million). Several markets recorded strong growth rates, most notably Brazil at 773 per cent and India at 105 per cent, reflecting the success of Egyptian companies in expanding into new markets.

In terms of economic blocs, the Arab market took second place with exports worth US$1.196 billion (25 per cent of total exports), followed by non-Arab Asian countries at US$826 million, and non-Arab African countries at US$591 million.

The report noted that the top ten exporting companies achieved exports worth US$2.585 billion, equivalent to 53 per cent of the sector’s total exports, reflecting the strength of Egypt’s industrial base and the ability of national companies to compete in global markets.

Experts explained that this growth was the result of joint cooperation and the implementation of specialised programmes to support exporters. It is noted that the coming period will see a greater focus on expanding into promising markets in Africa and Latin America and on maximising the benefits of free trade agreements.