Egypt is moving to boost its fish exports to Italy following the lifting of a European Union import ban in 2024, officials said on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The initiative comes after a meeting between Tarek El-Houby, head of Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), representatives of the Italian Embassy in Cairo, and the Italian Trade Agency, aimed at strengthening technical cooperation and facilitating seafood trade.
Discussions focused on aligning sanitary standards, modernizing inspection systems, and simplifying approval procedures for export facilities. Both sides emphasized the importance of exchanging information on regulatory requirements and ensuring compliant Egyptian seafood products gain better access to the Italian market, according to a statement from the NFSA.
Italy was Egypt’s largest European market for fish exports before the EU suspended shipments in 2021. At the time, Italy accounted for 38 percent of Egypt’s EU-bound seafood exports, which were valued at nearly US$13 million in 2019. The suspension followed European Commission inspections that identified compliance issues. Egypt regained EU export authorization in 2024.
Trade analysts note that the key challenge for Egypt will be recapturing market share lost to competitors during the suspension. In 2024, Egypt’s total fish exports to international markets reached US$68.7 million, while the EU imported nearly US$48.1 billion in seafood products, representing roughly one-third of global imports in the category.
“The meeting underscores Egypt’s commitment to meeting international standards and revitalizing our seafood trade,” said El-Houby. Authorities aim to streamline inspections and approvals to boost both the volume and quality of exports.
Egyptian officials have stressed that rebuilding the Italian market is a priority, given its historical significance as a top buyer within the EU. Strengthening compliance with EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards is expected to help Egyptian exporters compete more effectively and expand market access.
The renewed engagement comes amid broader efforts to expand Egypt’s seafood exports globally and increase the competitiveness of local fisheries, which support thousands of jobs in production, processing, and logistics.
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Egypt is a growing exporter of fish and seafood products, supplying markets across the European Union, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2019, Italy accounted for 38 percent of Egypt’s EU-bound fish exports, making it the country’s largest European market. Total Egyptian fish exports that year were valued at around US$13 million to the EU.
In 2021, the European Commission suspended imports from Egypt after inspections identified sanitary and compliance issues. This forced Egyptian exporters to seek alternative markets and led to a temporary loss of market share in Italy and other EU countries. The suspension was lifted in 2024 after Egypt implemented corrective measures, including improvements in inspection systems, sanitary controls, and export approvals.
According to Trade Map data, Egypt’s total fish exports reached US$68.7 million in 2024, while the EU imported nearly US$48.1 billion in seafood products, accounting for about one-third of global seafood imports. Recovering market share in Italy and the wider EU is considered a strategic priority for Cairo.
Efforts to revitalize exports focus on technical coordination, adherence to EU sanitary standards, and modernization of fisheries infrastructure, with the aim of strengthening competitiveness and ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.
Background to Egypt’s Fish export
Egypt has long been a significant player in Africa and the Middle East’s aquaculture and fishery sector, benefiting from its strategic location along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, as well as the extensive Nile River system. The country produces a wide range of fish species, including tilapia, mullet, catfish, and carp, and has increasingly expanded into higher-value species for both regional and international markets.
Fish production in Egypt comes from three main sources: freshwater aquaculture, marine fisheries, and integrated aquaculture systems. Freshwater fish farming, particularly tilapia, dominates domestic production, supported by modern hatcheries, feed mills, and government initiatives aimed at increasing sustainable output. Marine fisheries along the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts supply high-value species for both export and domestic consumption, including shrimp, tuna, and sole.
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Egypt’s fish export industry has grown steadily due to rising global demand, especially in Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Asia. Key export markets include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Italy, and the United States. Export volumes are influenced by production capacity, quality standards, and adherence to international sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, which are critical for accessing high-value markets.
The government of Egypt actively supports the sector through policies promoting investment in aquaculture, modernization of fishing fleets, cold chain infrastructure, and certification schemes that meet EU and Gulf standards. These measures aim to enhance both the quantity and quality of exports while increasing Egypt’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
Egypt has also been expanding value-added processing, including filleting, freezing, and packaging, to meet the requirements of international buyers and to capture higher margins. Modern fish processing facilities, particularly in the governorates of Damietta, Alexandria, and Port Said, have improved export quality and compliance with international food safety standards.
Challenges remain, including overfishing in some coastal areas, environmental pressures on the Nile and lakes, and the need for technological upgrades in aquaculture and processing facilities. Nevertheless, Egypt’s abundant water resources, favorable climate, and government incentives continue to support the expansion of fish production and exports.
In recent years, global trends in healthy eating, protein demand, and seafood consumption have provided additional opportunities for Egypt’s fish exporters. With ongoing investments in aquaculture, fleet modernization, and certification compliance, Egypt is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a leading fish exporter in Africa and the Middle East, contributing to both foreign exchange earnings and rural employment.
