Food Export Council Identifies $97 Million in Untapped Export Potential for Egyptian Biscuits by 2030
The Food Export Council (FEC) has highlighted massive growth opportunities for Egypt's sweet biscuit sector, identifying approximately $97 million in untapped export potential. This forms part of a broader total export capacity projected to reach $161 million by the year 2030.
According to the Council, the most promising markets for Egyptian biscuits include Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, the United States, Iraq, Canada, Lebanon, Italy, and the United Kingdom, alongside other emerging markets across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The United States has been identified as a critical long-term strategic opportunity. While the U.S. remains the world's largest importer of sweet biscuits—absorbing nearly $2.5 billion annually—current Egyptian exports to the American market remain highly limited.
Untapped Export Potential by Key Market
The table below outlines the top five target markets and their specific unexploited export values for Egyptian sweet biscuits:
Target MarketEstimated Untapped Potential (USD)Market Significance
Saudi Arabia$29 MillionTop regional importer with strong existing trade ties.
Yemen$15 MillionHigh demand for accessible FMCG products.
United Arab Emirates$12 MillionRegional re-export hub and fast-growing market.
Libya$10 MillionProximity and logistical advantages for Egyptian goods.
United States$6.3 MillionWorld's largest importer (~$2.5B total annual imports).
H1 2026 Performance and Strategic Outlook
Despite the promising long-term outlook, Egyptian biscuit exports faced significant headwinds during the first half of 2026:
Export Decline: Total export value dropped by 21% to $42 million, down from $54 million during the same period in 2025.
Volume Contraction: Exported quantities fell to 15,000 tons, compared to 17,000 tons in H1 2025.
Market Headwinds: The Council attributed this decline to a high comparative base following the exceptional growth in H1 2025, compounded by severe geopolitical tensions, logistical bottlenecks, disrupted trade routes, and soaring freight costs.
To navigate these challenges, the FEC stressed the urgent need to diversify export destinations rather than relying on a limited cluster of historical markets. The Council's strategic roadmap mandates maintaining a dominant presence in Arab markets while aggressively expanding into the U.S. and China, and actively working to dismantle technical and regulatory barriers preventing broader entry into the European Union.