EU Cuts Extra Inspections on Egyptian Citrus to 10%, Boosting Global Competitiveness

Egypt’s food exports received a significant boost after the European Commission decided to reduce the level of additional inspections on Egyptian citrus shipments entering the European Union from 20% to 10%, a move seen as a strong vote of confidence in Egypt’s food safety system.

Tarek El-Houby, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA), said the decision reflects growing international trust in Egypt’s food safety and regulatory framework governing agricultural and food exports.

“The reduction in inspection rates confirms the effectiveness of the integrated food safety system applied to Egyptian exports and underscores the credibility Egypt has built with European authorities,” El-Houby stated.

According to the NFSA chief, the European decision is the result of close institutional coordination among national stakeholders, led by the National Food Safety Authority, through the development and implementation of a comprehensive, risk-based inspection system. This system covers all stages of the food supply chain, from production sites and packing stations to traceability mechanisms and compliance with strict European food safety requirements.

El-Houby noted that the Authority has intensified both pre-export and post-export controls in recent months, applying inspection programs based on risk assessment and ensuring compliance with maximum residue limits for pesticides and other contaminants. These efforts, he said, have significantly reduced the number of alerts and observations issued by foreign markets.

The inspection cut marks the second consecutive reduction within a single year, signaling sustained European recognition of improvements in Egypt’s food safety governance. The move is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian citrus, one of the country’s most important agricultural exports, across global markets.

“Eliminating unnecessary inspection burdens lowers costs, speeds up clearance procedures, and strengthens the market position of Egyptian citrus producers and exporters,” El-Houby explained.

The NFSA chairman praised the high level of technical and institutional coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Central Administration of Agricultural Quarantine, and the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Brussels. 

He emphasized that unified technical messaging and consistent engagement with European counterparts played a decisive role in supporting Egypt’s position.

Looking ahead, El-Houby reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to continuously upgrading Egypt’s national food safety system in line with international best practices and standards, ensuring sustainable, safe, and competitive access for Egyptian food exports to global markets.