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International Resources: Global Market Profile: Egypt
As part of its commitment to providing its members with market analysis and insight, PMA has compiled the following information about Egypt from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and Attaché Reports submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, as well as the CIA World Factbook, embassy sites, and business etiquette reference guides. Table of Contents
Fresh Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower MarketFruit and Vegetable Market Egypt is a large producer of fresh fruits and vegetables for export and for the domestic market. Although less than five percent of the Egypt’s surface area is arable, agriculture employs over a third of the nation’s workforce. The country’s climate is very advantageous for the agricultural industry. Major fruit commodities are oranges, lemons, mango, watermelon, table grapes, and strawberries. Main vegetables are onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and haricots. Egypt has a key geographical position to export to the European Union and to the Middle East. Fresh Flower Market Egypt makes only a small contribution to the global value of floral products, which amounts to about US$25 billion. Egypt’s hot climate makes it difficult to cultivate many types of flowers , such as roses, which are in the most demand. Less than a dozen Egyptian flower producers are responsible for over 95% of the export market. Carnations are the most popular variety for exporting. Consumer TrendsEgypt has a population of about 75 million people who are becoming more aware of the quality and variety of consumer-oriented products. Consumers are increasingly buying products such as meat, fresh fruits, and vegetables from supermarkets and hypermarkets instead of small neighborhood shops. Middle- to high-income consumers especially shop in these supermarkets and hypermarkets. The number of women in the workplace is rising and consequently there are more dual income families. Consumers in Cairo, Alexandria, and the Red Sea tourism areas are more aware of international food trends. There is good potential for imported products as eating habits change and the number of fast food chains and local restaurants increases. Entering the Egyptian MarketSuppliers should consider visiting the market to better understand the potential of their product. It is helpful for exporters to use the services of an agent or distributor. Local importers can promote the products by means of free samples, advertising, and in-store displays. Exporters should consult with importers to make sure Egyptian import requirements are met in order not to be delayed at customs. Egyptian importers often purchase small quantities to introduce new products on the market until they are sure the product has market potential; be prepared to accept smaller orders at first or to share a shipment with other exporters. Advertising through television is expensive, but advertisements in monthly magazines are effective when aiming for a specific audience. It may also be helpful to participate in events such as in-store promotions, trade shows, and cooking demonstrations in cooperation with Egyptian importers, restaurants, institutions, and retailers. Trade AgreementsEgypt has free and preferential trade agreements with the following Arab countries: Trade agreements with other organizations and countries include:
Food Standards and RegulationsThe agency that controls the inspection and certification of imported goods is the General Organization for Export/Import Control (GOEIC) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (EOS) is responsible for establishing, adopting, and publishing food standards and codes of practice. The following standards are sufficient where no mandatory Egyptian standard exists:
All product stipulations include the following information:
The Ministry of Health’s Food Institute registers and approves all specialty and dietary foods. Importers must have a form in order to obtain a license, which is valid from one to five years, depending on the product. It can take four to six months to register a product. However, if similar local products are out in the market, registration for the imported goods is not approved. Once the imported food products arrive in Egypt, the following mandatory tests are conducted: -laboratory tests by the Ministry of Health -veterinary inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture of dairy, fish, meat, and poultry products -labeling and product compliance with the Egyptian Standards, inspected and enforced by the Ministry of Trade and the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) Products are only tested in government laboratories; analyses by private laboratories are not permitted. Business Protocol
Export Business Reminders
Related Links and Government ResourcesCurrency - the currency ofEgypt is the Pound (EGP). Use the free currency converter to compare to dollars, GBP or Euro. Weather – check Yahoo!'s Weather for Egypt. News –read the latest Google news on Egypt. Dialing Code - the international dialing code forEgypt is +20. Time -Egypt is +2 hours GMT. Egyptian Exporters Association – www.expolink.org TourEgypt - http://www.touregypt.net/
Government Resources MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND RECLAMATION (MALR) Address: 71 Wezaret El Zeraa Street Dokki, Cairo, Egypt Tel: (202) 3-337-3388 / 2677 Fax: (202) 3-749-8128 The Central Laboratory for Agricultural Export Systems (in English) http://www.claes.sci.eg/home/welcome.html Ministry of Trade and Industry Address: 2 Latin America Street Garden city, Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-792-1188 Fax: (2-02) 2-795-5025 TourEgypt: http://msht.tripod.com/ --or-- www.moft.gov.eg/english/english.asp (In English) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Arabic, English, or French) Egyptian Food Safety Information Center Ministry of Health (MOH) Address: 3 Maglis El Shaab Street Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-795-7689 / 794-3462 Fax: (2-02) 2-795-3966 Food Institute (MOH) Address: 16 Kasr El Aini Street Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-364-6413 / 3522 Fax: (2-02) 2-364-7476 Central Laboratory (Ministry of Health) Address: 3 Maglis El-Shaab Street Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-794-7271 Fax: (2-02) 2-796-2248 Agricultural Research Center Address: 9 Gamaa Street, Orman Giza, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 3-572-2069 / 572-3906 Fax: (2-02) 3-572-2609 Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality Control Address: 16 Tadreeb el Motdrabeen Street Amiria Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-603-1348 Fax: (2-02) 2-603-1351 www.eos.org.eg/En_web/en_home.htm General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) Address: 1 Ramsis Street Cairo, Egypt Tel: (2-02) 2-575-6130 Fax: (2-02) 2-575-8195 |
