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FAS Cairo (Post) forecasts Egypt’s wheat imports in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (July – June) at 11.0 MMT, down from the previous marketing year estimate of 11.5 MMT. Egypt was able to secure a steady supply of wheat through diversification of wheat origins whether through tenders or implementing direct purchasing of wheat from several countries.

This report is an update to GAIN report number EG2022-0022. Attaching the English translation of the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) Decision of Board of Directors No. 6/2022 concerning the binding technical basis for maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chemical contaminants in food.

In June 2022, Egypt launched a trial phase of the Advanced Clearance Information system (ACI) on airfreight. The government is expected to fully apply the electronic ACI system in October 2022. This comes after the October 1, 2021, launch of the ACI in sea ports. Traders must register within the designated platforms (CargoX for exporters and ACI for importers).

In June 2022, Egypt launched a trial phase of the Advanced Clearance Information system (ACI) on airfreight. The government is expected to fully apply the electronic ACI system in October 2022. This comes after the October 1, 2021, launch of the ACI in sea ports. Traders must register within the designated platforms (CargoX for exporters and ACI for importers).

The resumption of travel amid a waning COVID-19 pandemic is breathing much-needed fresh air into the Caribbean Hotel Restaurant Institutional (HRI) food service sector. Yet in 2021 sector sales still fell short of pre-pandemic levels.

On July 2, 2022, Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI) signed Decree No. 393/2022. The decree renewed an earlier decision that extended the shelf-life validity period for imported frozen fish from six to nine months and of frozen beef liver from seven to ten months. The decree is valid for one year and expires June 30, 2023 (see APPENDIX I – Unofficial English Translation).

In October 1, 2021, Egypt launched a new pre-clearance system to facilitate trade and improve custom clearance and release time, the Advanced Cargo Information system (ACI) require all shipping documents be received electronically at least 48 hours prior to the arrival of the shipment.

On May 16, the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) issued Decision of Board of Directors No. 6/2022 concerning the binding technical basis for maximum residue levels (MRLs) for chemical contaminants in food, made effective the day following its publication in the Egyptian Chronicles.

On December 19, 2021, Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) released Decision No. 10/2021, the Provisions of Recognition of the Control System Applied by the Exporting Country Competent Authorities in the Context of Imported Food Control. The decision was made effective the day following its publication in the Egyptian Chronicles – Annex 1: unofficial translation is included herein.

Egypt notified of new halal requirements and procedures for food products. This was disclosed via a Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) third addendum notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Neither the notification's commitment to the commenting period nor its entry into force date are specified.

On December 19, 2021, Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) released Decision No. 9/2021, Handling of Imported Food Consignments Subject to Temporary Release, made effective the day following its publication in the Egyptian Chronicles – Annex 1: unofficial translation is included herein.

Egypt imported some $3.8 billion worth of consumer-oriented products in 2021. This is a decrease of 8.67 percent from 2020 imports of $4.1 billion. The United States was the third largest exporter to Egypt with approximately $243 million in exports accounting for roughly 6 percent market share. This is an increase of about 19 percent from 2020 export value of $204 million.