EGYPT · TRADE
Key Facts
- —The country Egypt is a North African country of more than 100 million people that earns dollars from exports, Suez Canal fees, tourism and gas.
- —What happened Egypt’s chemical and fertiliser sales to China rose 678% in eight months to US$287 million, Daily News Egypt reported on 21 October.
- —The numbers A year earlier the same eight months brought US$37 million, so Chinese buyers added about US$250 million in sales.
- —The sector Egypt’s chemical and fertiliser exports as a whole rose 30.2% to US$8.25 billion, according to the export council that speaks for the industry.
- —The ranking China has entered the top 10 markets for the sector, which together took 56% of all exports in the eight months.
- —The next step Exporters will show glass and plastic household goods at a joint Egyptian stand at the Canton Fair from 23 to 27 October.
- —Still open The council has not said which products Chinese buyers are taking, or whether the pace will last.
Egypt chemical exports to China jumped 678% to US$287 million in January to August 2026, Daily News Egypt reported on Wednesday 21 October. The sector sold only US$37 million to China in the same months of 2025.
For US readers, the trade shows Egypt selling fertiliser, plastics and industrial chemicals to the world’s second-largest economy, where American producers also compete. Egypt chemical exports to China may grow further as exporters head to the Canton Fair.
What the Export Council Reported
The Egyptian Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers, which promotes the sector’s exports, released the data for January to August 2026. Al Mal News published the full table on Tuesday 29 September, and Daily News Egypt repeated the China line on 21 October.
Egypt chemical exports to China reached US$287.13 million, up from US$36.89 million a year earlier, a rise of 678%. Daily News Egypt says the data come from the General Organization for Export and Import Control, the state agency that inspects Egypt’s trade.
Where China Now Ranks Among Egypt’s Buyers
The council says China has entered the top 10 destinations for Egypt’s chemicals and fertilisers. The ten biggest markets took about US$4.62 billion in the eight months, roughly 56% of the sector’s total.
Türkiye is still the largest buyer at about US$943 million, followed by Italy and India. India bought US$627 million, up about 325%, a jump that Rio Times reported on 19 October.
A Sector Growing on Several Fronts
The whole sector sold US$8.25 billion abroad in the eight months, up 30.2% from US$6.34 billion in 2025. It supplies about 24% of Egypt’s exports outside oil and gas and ranks first by value among its export sectors.
Petrochemicals grew fastest among the big groups, up 86.2% to US$2.03 billion, while fertilisers rose 12% to US$2.21 billion. Egypt chemical exports to China grew faster than India’s 325% or any other market the council named.
The Canton Fair Push in China
The council plans to join the 140th Canton Fair, China’s biggest export trade show, in its second phase from 23 to 27 October. Daily News Egypt describes it as Egypt’s return with a joint pavilion after several years away.
The stand is coordinated with the Egyptian General Authority for International Exhibitions and Conferences and the Egyptian Commercial Office in Beijing. Makers of glass tableware, decorative glass and plastic household goods will take part.
What Exporters Hope to Gain
Council chairman Khaled Abu El-Makarim said China is becoming a strategically important destination for Egyptian products. He said the figures show real openings to strengthen Egyptian goods in international markets.
The council says the fair should give Egyptian firms direct talks with Chinese importers and distributors. It also hopes the contacts turn into lasting partnerships with buyers.
A Trade Balance That Still Favours Beijing
Egypt’s Commercial Service puts two-way trade with China at about US$20.8 billion in 2025, of which Egypt sold only US$819 million. The chemical sales of US$287 million in eight months of 2026 equal about a third of that full-year total across all sectors.
Cairo has sought Chinese investment around President Xi Jinping’s state visit, which the Rio Times covered in September. Higher exports would help narrow a gap that Egypt has long wanted to close.
What It Means for US Readers
Fertiliser and petrochemicals trade on world markets, so a new Chinese buyer can change where supply goes and what farmers pay. Egypt’s sales to the United States also rose 68.2% in the same eight months, the council data show.
American chemical, plastics and fertiliser producers meet Egyptian goods in the same markets, including the Middle East and Africa. Investors can read the surge as a sign that Egyptian exporters are finding new dollar buyers in Asia.
What Is Not Known
The council has not said which products make up the US$287 million, or how much is fertiliser, plastics or other chemicals. It is also open whether the sales come from a few large contracts or from many small buyers.
No figure has been given for orders expected from the Canton Fair, and the pavilion’s size has not been published. Full-year 2026 data will show whether Egypt chemical exports to China hold at this level.
More: Egypt news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Egypt sell to China in chemicals and fertilisers?
Egypt chemical exports to China reached about EGP 15.6 billion (about US$287 million) between January and August 2026, at 54.4 pounds to the US dollar. A year earlier the figure was US$37 million.
Who published the figures?
The Egyptian Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers released the data, and Al Mal News published the full table on 29 September. Daily News Egypt reported the China figure on 21 October.
What is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair is a large trade show for export goods held in Guangzhou, China, in three phases each autumn. The second phase of the 140th edition runs from 23 to 27 October.
Is China now Egypt’s biggest chemical buyer?
No, Türkiye leads with about US$943 million, followed by Italy and India. China has entered the top 10 markets, where its US$287 million is a small but fast-growing share.
Why does this matter outside Egypt?
Egypt is a large exporter of fertiliser and petrochemicals, so shifts in its buyers can move supply on world markets. It also shows Egypt earning more dollars from Asia.
Sources: Daily News Egypt, Egyptian chemical exports to China surge 678% in 8 months, 21 October 2026; Al Mal News, 8.25 مليار دولار صادرات الكيماويات والأسمدة خلال أول 8 أشهر من 2026, 29 September 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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