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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 The export council released the data on 29 September and repeated it on Monday 19 October: India bought US$627 million, up about 325%.
- —The numbers A year earlier, the same eight months brought US$147 million, so the gain is about US$480 million.
- —The products Fertilisers and pesticides made up about US$552 million, or 88%, of the trade with India.
- —The ranking India is now the third-largest buyer of Egyptian chemicals and fertilisers, behind Türkiye and Italy, with about 7.6% of the sector’s exports.
- —The whole sector Egypt’s chemical and fertiliser exports rose 30% to US$8.255 billion in the eight months.
- —Still open The council has not said what drove the jump, or whether India will keep buying at this pace.
Egypt chemical exports to India jumped about 325% in the first eight months of 2026, reaching US$627 million. The Chemical and Fertilisers Export Council, which promotes sales abroad, released the data on Tuesday 29 September and repeated it on Monday 19 October.
For US readers, the news matters because fertiliser trades on one world market, so a new big buyer can touch prices that farmers pay. India has become a much bigger customer for a country that needs every dollar of export income.
What the Export Council Reported
Egypt chemical exports to India, including fertilisers, reached US$627 million between January and August 2026, up from US$147 million a year earlier. That is a gain of about US$480 million, or roughly 325%, the council said.
Khaled Abu El-Makarem chairs the council and also leads the Egyptian-Indian Business Council, a group that links companies in the two countries. He said the jump reflects the growing importance of India as a destination for Egyptian products.
What Egypt Chemical Exports Contain
Fertilisers and pesticides dominate the trade, at about US$552 million, or roughly 88% of Egypt’s chemical and fertiliser sales to India. The council did not break the figure down between fertilisers and pesticides.
The other groups are much smaller, with inorganic chemicals at about US$30 million, petrochemicals at US$24 million and miscellaneous chemicals at US$15 million. Together the four groups come to about US$621 million.
How India Reached Third Place
India now ranks third among Egypt’s top buyers of chemicals and fertilisers, behind Türkiye and Italy, according to the council. It accounts for about 7.6% of the sector’s exports.
The ten biggest markets took about US$4.619 billion in the eight months, roughly 56% of the sector’s total. Egypt chemical exports as a whole rose 30% to US$8.255 billion.
What the Council Says Comes Next
Abu El-Makarem said the next phase should turn trade growth into long-term partnerships built on industrial cooperation, technology exchange and higher-value exports. He described India as a strategic economic partner with a large industrial base and steady demand for fertilisers, raw materials and industrial inputs.
The council is preparing an economic event with Indian counterparts, and details will be announced later. It says it also offers exporters market studies, information on buyers’ requirements and help with business meetings.
What It Means for US Readers
Fertiliser is a major cost for US farmers, and its price follows supply and demand across the world. A large new buyer such as India competes with other importers for the same cargoes from Egypt and other exporters.
Egypt chemical exports also bring in foreign currency for a government that watches its dollar income closely. Steadier export earnings help investors in Egyptian assets, such as the 30% share sale in Banque du Caire that the Rio Times covered.
The Risk of Relying on One Product
With 88% of the sales to India in fertilisers and pesticides, the trade rests on a narrow base. A drop in Indian demand or a change in world fertiliser prices would hit the total quickly.
Abu El-Makarem made the same point, saying that a wider range of products and higher value are important to sustain growth. The council says it is working on both.
What Is Not Known
The council has not said what drove the jump from US$147 million, such as higher prices, bigger volumes or new contracts. It has also not given a month-by-month path for the eight months.
In July, Al-Ahram Gate reported council data of US$472 million for India in January to May 2026, so the earlier comparison base is open. The date of the planned economic event with Indian companies is also open.
More: Egypt news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Egypt’s chemical exports to India grow?
Egypt chemical exports to India rose about 325% to US$627 million in January to August 2026. The same period of 2025 brought US$147 million.
Who announced the figures?
The Chemical and Fertilisers Export Council, an industry body that promotes Egyptian exports, published them on 29 September and repeated them on Monday 19 October. Its chairman, Khaled Abu El-Makarem, gave the details.
What does Egypt sell to India?
Mostly fertilisers and pesticides, about US$552 million or 88% of the trade. Smaller amounts are inorganic chemicals, petrochemicals and other chemicals.
Where does India rank among Egypt’s chemical buyers?
India is third among Egypt chemical exports buyers, after Türkiye and Italy, and takes about 7.6% of the sector’s exports. The ten largest markets together took about 56%.
Why does this matter to US readers?
Fertiliser is traded worldwide, so new demand from India can affect the market that US farmers buy from. Egypt chemical exports also add to the dollar income the country relies on.
Sources: Al Mal, 29 September 2026; Al-Shorouk, 19 October 2026; Al-Watan, 19 October 2026; Veto Gate, 19 October 2026; Aswaq Information, 19 October 2026; Daily News Egypt, 19 October 2026; Al-Ahram Gate, 16 July 2026.
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error
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