Latest news with #AlaaFarouq
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's agricultural exports hit 5.8 million tons to date
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouq affirmed that the recent growth in Egypt's agricultural exports constitutes clear evidence of the sector's resilience, strength, and increasing competitiveness on the global stage. Farouq added that these results reflect the concerted efforts undertaken at all levels to ensure that Egyptian agricultural products reach international markets at the highest standards of quality, thereby further solidifying Egypt's position as a regional and global agricultural hub. He reiterated the Ministry of Agriculture's commitment to sustaining efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, improving crop quality, and broadening the range of export markets, initiatives designed to support both the national economy and the livelihoods of Egyptian farmers. The minister also announced a notable increase in Egypt's agricultural exports, which have surpassed 5.8 million tons to date, with citrus fruits and potatoes maintaining their positions at the top of the country's export list. This information was detailed in a report submitted on Friday 11/7/2025 to the minister by Ahmed Ozzam, Head of the Agricultural Services and Monitoring Sector. The report, based on statistics from the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ), outlined the continued progress of Egyptian agricultural exports in international markets. According to the report, citrus exports have surpassed 1.9 million tons, maintaining their position as Egypt's leading agricultural export. Potatoes ranked second, with approximately 1.3 million tons exported, reflecting sustained international demand for both crops, attributed to their consistently high quality. According to the same statistics, exports of fresh onions reached approximately 209,000 tons, while fresh and dry beans accounted for around 160,000 tons. Grape exports totaled approximately 120,000 tons, securing the fifth position among Egyptian agricultural exports, followed by sweet potatoes in sixth place with about 115,000 tons exported. The list of top Egyptian agricultural exports also includes, in descending order: fresh garlic, fresh strawberries, fresh tomatoes, guava, mangoes, and pomegranates. Farouq underlined that his ministry is continuously working to support exporters by removing obstacles and enhancing the global competitiveness of Egyptian products. He highlighted the pivotal role of the agricultural sector in Egypt's economy and its significant contribution to the country's comprehensive development plans. Minister Farouq further explained that the exceptional performance of the agro export system stems from collaboration among farmers, producers, and exporters, all dedicated to cultivating high-quality crops in accordance with best agricultural practices. He noted that this collaborative effort is supported by ongoing oversight from agricultural engineers and researchers, the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ), central reference laboratories within the ministry, and the Department of Foreign Agricultural Relations. 'Together, these entities work to open new markets for Egyptian produce and to ensure thorough monitoring of the entire supply chain, from the farm to international markets,' he added.
Egypt Independent
28-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Agriculture Minister stresses need to strengthen AU-EU partnership
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouq on Friday 27/6/2025, stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) in agriculture. This partnership aims to address growing challenges facing agri-food systems across both continents. The minister made his remarks during his participation in the plenary session of the 6th AU-EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference held in Rome, Italy under the theme of Sustainable Future for Agri-food Systems. He pointed out the critical timing of the conference amid the successive world crises that led to disruption in supply chains, intensification of climate change, impacts of geopolitical conflicts and economic downturns. Farouq reviewed the measures taken by Egypt to enhance the agricultural sector's ability to adapt to climate change. Regarding market access and trade facilitation, Farouq noted that these are two key pillars for improving livelihoods and achieving food security, highlighting Egypt's efforts to boost competitiveness of its agricultural products by enhancing production quality, adhering to international standards, supporting value chains, expanding logistics infrastructure, implementing technical support programs and signing free trade agreements. Meanwhile, he emphasized the importance of deepening Africa–EU collaboration in agricultural trade by supporting market-connecting initiatives, providing flexible and accessible financing mechanisms, accelerating mutual recognition of standards and stimulating investment in cross-border supply chains.
Egypt Independent
21-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Agriculture Minister: Farm coding reforms spur record Egypt Agri-export growth
Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouq stated that Egypt's agricultural exports have witnessed substantial growth in recent months, largely attributed to the ongoing implementation of farm coding reforms. These reforms aimed at ensuring enhanced traceability, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance, the minister said during a meeting with Rabih Karaky, Practice Manager for Agriculture and Food for Middle East and North Africa Region at the World Bank. During the meeting, Farouq said that his ministry focuses on enhancing the added value of agricultural products and expanding agro-industrial activities to bolster the sector's contribution to the national economy. He underscored the implementation of a series of strategic national programs and initiatives designed to achieve vertical expansion by enhancing the productivity of land and water resources, alongside horizontal expansion to increase the total cultivated area and elevate agricultural output. He also highlighted initiatives focused on livestock development, including breed improvement programs and the 'Betalo' initiative, which aims to enhance national self-sufficiency in red meat production. Farouq added that the ministry is also implementing initiatives to modernize milk collection centers and advance the poultry and aquaculture sectors, as part of its strategy to reinforce Egypt's national food security framework. He also underlined the ministry's sustained commitment to empowering smallholder farmers by improving their access to financial resources and modern agricultural mechanization. The minister added that these efforts are undertaken alongside rural development initiatives under the presidential 'Decent Life' program, which aims to empower rural communities and foster the growth of micro- and small-scale enterprises. The minister further underlined the pivotal role of agricultural research institutions in driving innovation, particularly through the development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, and water-efficient crop varieties. For his part, Karaky commended Egypt's progress in the agricultural sector, reaffirming the World Bank's commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural development and investment within the country. He further noted that a comprehensive study is underway to assess the sector's future needs and identify opportunities for enhanced strategic cooperation.
