Egypt’s Trade Deficit Narrows to $3.99B in May on Export Rise
CAPMAS data shows export growth outpaced imports, trimming Egypt’s trade deficit to $3.99 billion in May.
Egypt’s trade deficit narrowed to $3.99 billion in May, down 0.3% from $4 billion in May 2025. The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) released the figures on Sunday.
Export growth outpaced import growth during the month. Exports rose 3.6% year on year to $4.5 billion from $4.4 billion. Imports increased 1.7% to $8.5 billion from $8.4 billion. The gap closed by roughly $10 million, a modest improvement.
The export gain was led by commodities with strong price or demand movements. Crude oil exports climbed 56.4%. Fresh fruit exports rose 40.3%. Plastics in primary forms increased 29.1%, and fertilizer exports gained 9.4%.
Other export categories weighed on the total. Ready-made garment exports fell 10.4%. Assorted food preparations and pasta declined 12.6%. Iron bars, rods, angles and wires dropped 50.2%. Carpet and rug exports slipped 12.4%.
On the import side, energy purchases were the main driver. Natural gas imports jumped 96.8%. Petroleum product imports rose 18.2%. Wheat imports climbed 33.5%, and iron and steel raw materials increased 3.3%.
Several import categories contracted sharply. Pharmaceutical imports fell 39.1%. Organic and inorganic chemicals declined 24.9%. Plastics in primary forms imports dropped 15.6%. Corn imports edged down 4%.
The data arrive as Egypt works to strengthen its foreign exchange position and narrow external imbalances. A stronger export performance reduces pressure on the pound and helps offset the import bill. Policymakers have been pushing export growth, tourism receipts, investment and other dollar inflows to support the balance of payments.
The IMF expects Egypt’s economy to continue expanding, supported by a recovery in domestic activity and improving external conditions. But the composition of May’s trade data shows how exposed the country remains. Oil and gas movements are tied to global prices. Wheat and petroleum imports depend on international commodity markets. Regional geopolitical disruptions can shift any of these flows quickly.
