Egypt’s Ready-Made Garment Exports Soar Past $1 Billion, Marking a 15% Surge in Early 2026 By: Hamdy Abdel-Rasheed
hamdy Abdelrashid
Egyptian ready-made garment (RMG) exports surged by 15% during the first four months of 2026. The sector continues to achieve robust growth rates, driven by heightened demand from the US and European markets, alongside intensive efforts by the Export Council to expand internationally and diversify target destinations.
According to the monthly report issued by the Readymade Garments Export Council (RMGEC), the sector's total exports reached $1.15 billion between January and April 2026, compared to $1.002 billion during the same period in 2025. April alone recorded the highest monthly growth rate since the start of the year, with exports jumping to $287 million—up from $216 million in April 2025, reflecting a 33% growth.
Key Market Performances:
The United States: Maintained its position as the top destination for Egyptian garments. Exports to the US rose to $429 million in the first four months of the year, up from $379 million in 2025, marking a 13% increase.
The European Union: Consolidated its status as the largest importing bloc, commanding a 44.6% market share of total exports. EU-bound exports grew by 29% to reach $512 million, compared to $398 million previously.
Other Top Importers: Turkey ranked second overall with $135 million, followed by Spain ($102 million), Germany ($67 million), and the Netherlands ($64 million).
Notable Surges: Exports to the UK saw noticeable growth, reaching $42 million, while exports to Italy jumped by 95% to record $33 million.
Sector Outlook and Strategy Eng. Fadel Marzouk, Chairman of the RMGEC, stressed that the Council remains committed to its promise to the state of achieving an annual growth rate exceeding 22%, despite the ongoing challenges imposed by global conflicts on the world economy.
Marzouk attributed this strong performance to the growing global competitiveness of Egyptian products. He noted that shifts in global supply chains have prompted major international brands to diversify their sourcing and rely more on flexible, nearshore production markets like Egypt. The sector's success is further supported by local factories improving product quality and strictly adhering to delivery schedules.
Looking forward, Marzouk projected that the sector's exports will increase by more than $1 billion this year, pushing total RMG exports to a historic, unprecedented high of $4.4 billion for 2026. He confirmed that sustaining this growth requires continuous export support programs, adequate financing for factories, and deeper local industrial integration to increase value-added production.
Over the next three years, the RMG sector is poised for a massive export boom fueled by new foreign direct investments (FDI) and local expansions, utilizing maximum production capacities, high-quality materials, and circular economy practices.