Egypt’s Trade Deficit Widens to $5.1 Billion

Egypt’s trade balance recorded a sharp deterioration in February 2026, as weakening export performance coincided with sustained import demand, according to data released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The report showed that exports fell by 11.6% year-on-year, reflecting a slowdown in several key export sectors and adding pressure to the country’s external accounts.

As a result, the trade deficit widened significantly to $5.1 billion in February 2026, compared to $2.7 billion in the same month of 2025, an increase of 87.5%, highlighting a growing imbalance between exports and imports.

The widening gap underscores ongoing structural pressures in Egypt’s foreign trade sector, where declining export revenues are being offset by continued demand for imported goods. This imbalance has contributed to deeper strain on the trade account during the period under review.

Analysts note that the figures also reflect broader challenges facing export competitiveness in certain industries, particularly amid global market volatility and shifting demand patterns.

At the same time, policymakers continue efforts to boost export capacity and diversify foreign currency sources through industrial support measures and expansion into new international markets.