Egypt’s Printing and Packaging Exports Surge 14% to $525 Million in H1 2026
hamdy Abdelrashid
Egypt’s Export Council for Printing, Packaging, and Paper has announced a 14% growth in sector exports during the first half of 2026, with total export value reaching $525 million, up from $462 million during the corresponding period in 2025.
The growth momentum was particularly pronounced in June 2026, which recorded a 62% year-on-year surge in exports, confirming strong international demand for Egyptian paper, printing, and packaging products.
Sub-Sector Performance Breakdown
Export gains were registered across all key sub-sectors during H1 2026:
Packaging Sector: Rose 13% to reach $332.6 million, compared to $294 million in H1 2025.
Paper & Tissue Sector: Grew by 12% to hit $169.5 million, up from $150 million in the previous year.
Printing & Books Sector: Recorded the highest growth rate at 25%, reaching $20 million up from $16 million.
Strategic Role of Indirect Exports
Eng. Nadeem Elias, Chairman of the Export Council, noted that the industry's economic weight extends beyond direct shipments. Indirect exports—specifically packaging materials provided for other Egyptian exported products—account for approximately 7% of Egypt’s total non-oil exports, making the sector a cornerstone of national trade competitiveness.
"The positive first-half indicators reflect the ability of Egyptian manufacturers to compete internationally by advancing product quality, updating production lines, and expanding export footprints," Elias stated.
He added that the council is working in coordination with relevant government entities to implement strategies aimed at opening new markets, increasing participation in international trade missions, and supporting local exporters to maximize value-added manufacturing.
Top Destination Markets
The council highlighted a broad and diverse international client base. The top destination markets for Egyptian printing and packaging products during H1 2026 included Libya, Italy, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Spain, and the United States.