The Egyptian Embassy in Pretoria recently hosted a virtual meeting to explore the potential for exporting Egyptian olive oil to South Africa. The meeting featured representatives from the Egyptian Food Industries Export Council, the Egyptian Commercial Representation Service, and the South African Olive Oil Association.
Egypt is one of the world’s leading producers of olive oil, with production expected to reach over 42,000 tons by 2026, a 3.4% increase from 34,500 tons in 2021. The country ranked 10th globally in olive oil production in 2021. However, in 2022, Egypt was ranked 38th among the world’s largest olive oil exporters.
Ambassador Ahmed Ali Sharif of Egypt to South Africa spoke about the opportunities for Egyptian olive oil in the South African market. He highlighted the product’s high quality and competitive pricing, noting that Egypt could benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to gain better access to South Africa.
Participants in the meeting agreed to continue exploring collaborative opportunities as part of an upcoming promotional mission by the Egyptian Food Industries Export Council, scheduled to visit Johannesburg in May 2025.
