The NFSA reported a high volume of food exports, underscoring Egypt's role as a major regional supplier. It approved 5,013 food shipments, totaling an estimated 180,000 tonnes, originating from 1,510 exporting companies.
The exported shipments, comprising 643 varieties of products, were led by sweet potatoes: 10,000 tonnes, citrus fruits: 10,000 tonnes, onions and various beans: 6,000 tonnes each, and strawberries: 7,000 tonnes.
Egyptian exports reached 175 international markets. The top
importers included Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Libya, and the Netherlands. Export
ports varied where Cairo International Airport handled the largest number of
shipments (1,190), followed by Safaga Port (735) and Alexandria Port (605).
The NFSA issued 1,250 export health certificates and 802
export permissions for agricultural crops to 717 companies.
On the import side, Egypt received 1,834 food shipments,
totaling approximately 210,000 tonnes, from 762 companies. Imported items
included wheat, soybeans, and various oils. The largest exporting countries to
Egypt were Russia, Canada, the United States, and China, from a total of 115
source countries. Alexandria Port received the most incoming shipments (617),
followed by Cairo International Airport (340) and Ain Sokhna Port (250).
The NFSA intensified its inspection and licensing efforts
across various sectors. It conducted 85 inspection visits to food factories to
assess compliance with quality and safety standards. 43 inspection and examination
visits were carried out at packing stations and centers.
The NFSA conducted 272 inspection visits to bakeries across
governorates (175 local, 69 tourist, 28 European-style) to ensure product
safety, and registered eight new bakeries. 37 regulatory missions were
conducted at storage facilities in high-density storage governorates (Giza,
Alexandria, Sharqia, etc.), with five new warehouses registered, bringing the
total to 1,506.
Ahead of the New Year holidays, inspections of tourist
establishments were stepped up, with 156 visits (151 to hotels, 5 to
restaurants) in key tourist governorates (Cairo, Giza, Red Sea, South Sinai). 26
regulatory tours were conducted on mobile food units. The General
Administration of Slaughterhouses performed 80 inspection visits to poultry and
meat slaughterhouses and casing factories.
The Authority took several enforcement measures to ensure
food safety. 234 incoming food shipments were placed under reserve (detained)
for failing to meet safety requirements, with an additional 35 shipments
re-detained. Eight rejected shipments were re-exported. 1,120 food shipments
were provisionally released, while 470 shipments benefited from the fast-track
clearance system.
The NFSA received 105 complaints from various sources,
including the Unified Government Complaints System. Field inspectors conducted
spot checks on 90 food establishments in nine governorates (Giza, Alexandria,
Ismailia, etc.) in response to these reports, taking corrective action where
violations were found. 59 nutritional supplements were registered, 306 new
products were examined, and 132 free sale certificates were issued.
The NFSA urged citizens to immediately report any violation that could endanger food safety or public health.