Egypt: Egypt Planting Seeds Sector Overview – A Growing Opportunity for U.S. Seeds

Egypt’s agricultural sector is a dynamic, fundamental component of the economy. Agriculture accounts for 11.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) (2017 estimate). Since the inception of the modern seed industry in Egypt (1922), seeds are an important input for raising agricultural productivity. The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) supports, and is strengthening the seed industry infrastructure. The private sector is largely responsible for the development of field and vegetable crop seeds (i.e., corn and sugar beets). From January 2016 to November 2018, Egypt imported roughly 1,350 metric tons (MT) (excluding seed potato) of vegetable seeds. U.S.-origin vegetable seed varieties represent 23 to 25 percent of Egypt’s total seeds imports. There is strong demand for U.S.-origin seeds. 

Egypt: Egypt Planting Seeds Sector Overview – A Growing Opportunity for U.S. Seeds