Egypt looks to Sub-Saharan Africa to expand poultry and egg exports

Egypt is intensifying efforts to expand poultry and egg exports into Sub-Saharan Africa, with Uganda emerging as a key partner in a broader strategy to turn domestic oversupply into export growth. The move comes as Egypt’s poultry sector reports self-sufficiency and an exportable surplus, prompting renewed efforts to open new overseas markets.

Food Business MEA reported that Egypt is targeting Sub-Saharan Africa to widen exports of poultry and eggs. That reporting is consistent with recent official and sector-level developments, including a high-level Egyptian-Ugandan meeting in Cairo on 27 July 2026, where agriculture ministers discussed opening the Ugandan market to Egyptian poultry and egg products.

Export ambitions built on surplus

The export push reflects industry claims that Egypt’s domestic poultry and egg production now exceeds local demand. In January 2026, the General Union of Egyptian Poultry Producers said the country had reached full self-sufficiency in poultry meat and table eggs, with a production surplus of more than 20% available for export.

Earlier reports also indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture was working with the sector to open new overseas markets and reduce pressure from excess supply. According to earlier reporting by Al-Ahram Weekly, around 40 Egyptian companies export poultry products to approximately 20 countries across the Arab world, Asia and Africa, suggesting that Egypt has already established an international export base.

Uganda as a strategic gateway

Uganda appears to be more than just a potential customer. During the 27 July talks in Cairo, Egyptian Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk and his Ugandan counterpart Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze discussed broader cooperation in agriculture, livestock and fisheries, while also addressing the possibility of opening the Ugandan market to Egyptian poultry and egg shipments.

The discussions also highlighted Egypt’s poultry production facilities operating under WOAH-standard compartmentalisation, including compartments that Egypt has self-declared as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in accordance with WOAH guidelines. Egyptian officials also emphasised the country’s certified production facilities, laboratory capabilities and research centres, together with their readiness to provide technical support, biosecurity expertise and veterinary inspection services. Such animal health assurances are an important component of market access requirements alongside commercial and logistical considerations.

Beyond trade: veterinary and technical cooperation

The Egypt-Uganda relationship is also developing on the animal health front. New Vision reported that Tumwebaze’s visit included discussions on veterinary vaccine production, while other reports indicated that the two sides reviewed cooperation on the annual supply of around 10 million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to Uganda.

The discussions point to a broader bilateral agenda: Egypt is seeking not only to expand exports of poultry and eggs but also to strengthen its role as a technical partner in livestock health and agricultural production systems. For Uganda, the partnership could provide access to veterinary expertise, vaccines and opportunities for further agricultural investment and capacity building.

See also:

Ghana eyes Egyptian know‑how to cut poultry imports and boost local production