Egypt's exports to Tanzania increased during the first quarter of 2026, even as overall trade between the two countries contracted sharply due to a steep decline in Egyptian imports from the East African nation, according to new data released by Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
Official statistics show that Egyptian exports to Tanzania rose 3.2% year-on-year to $11.1 million in the January–March period, compared with $10.8 million in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, Egyptian imports from Tanzania plunged 75.8% to $1.2 million, down from $5 million a year earlier.
The sharp drop in imports pushed total bilateral trade down 21.6% to $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared with $15.8 million during the same period last year.
Electrical machinery, equipment and related parts remained Egypt's largest export category to Tanzania, generating $3.1 million in shipments during the quarter.
Other leading exports included:
Salt, sulphur and related materials: $1.8 million
Plastics and plastic products: $1.1 million
Sugar and sugar confectionery: $980,800
Articles of iron or steel: $796,100
Miscellaneous chemical products: $459,600
Tanning and dyeing extracts: $287,200
Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products: $280,600
Pharmaceutical products: $276,600
Miscellaneous food preparations: $273,200
On the import side, tobacco remained Egypt's largest purchase from Tanzania during the first quarter, accounting for $590,700.
Other key imports included:
Vegetable textile fibres: $230,300
Fish and seafood: $147,700
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits: $69,100
Coffee and tea: $60,200
Fruit: $59,100
Tanning and dyeing extracts: $39,400
The latest figures suggest that while Egyptian exports to Tanzania continue to show resilience, bilateral trade remains under pressure as imports from Tanzania have fallen significantly, resulting in a notable contraction in overall trade volumes during the first three months of 2026.
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