Commodity Marketsأخبارصناعات غذائية
Egyptian Dairy Products Eye Entry into European Markets
$265 Million in Sector Exports during 2024... Promising Growth Opportunities
The EU is Not Obstinate; Its Requirements are Technical and Require Skilled Communication
The National Food Safety Authority, the Food Export Council, and the Food Industries Chamber are exerting tremendous efforts to pave the way for Egyptian dairy products in European markets. This comes amidst a boom witnessed by the sector and the promising growth opportunities it enjoys.
The success of the relevant Egyptian authorities in reopening European Union markets to fish after a 3-year hiatus has sparked real hope and desire to remove obstacles facing dairy product exports.
Egyptian dairy exports recorded notable performance during 2024, with their value reaching approximately $264.5 million. These exports were distributed across a wide range of Arab and international markets, including Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq, in addition to the United States and Vietnam. This reflects the growing presence of this sector on Egypt’s food export map.
In recent years, the Egyptian state has focused attention on milk collection centers, aiming to obtain better quality milk for direct consumption, processing, or export, in compliance with global standard specifications. This is especially pertinent as Egypt has achieved self-sufficiency in fresh milk and exports surplus quantities.
A report issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture expects milk production to reach about 7 million tons by the end of 2025, compared to 6.5 million tons in 2024. This confirms that the Egyptian state is moving steadily towards achieving comprehensive development and real growth in the livestock sector.
Katilo: We Have Succeeded in Providing a Local Alternative to Imported Dairy at 60% Lower Price
For his part, Eng. Abd el Moneim Katilo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Katilo for Dairy and Food Products and one of the prominent leaders in Egypt’s dairy sector, stated that the absence of “professionalism in institutional communication” is the main obstacle that has prevented the opening of European markets to Egyptian products of animal origin for nearly two decades.
He emphasized that European import specifications do not represent “obstinacy” against Egypt, but rather precise technical and regulatory requirements that demand a specific style of management and communication.
The ongoing crisis, spanning 15 to 20 years, is not limited to dairy products alone but extends to include all products of animal origin (including honey and meat). This is due to complex and stringent veterinary procedures requiring an institutional response that current communication mechanisms still lack.
Katilo pointed out that the problem goes beyond technical aspects to reach “institutional culture,” comparing the situation to neighboring countries like Tunisia, which succeeded in resolving thorny export files such as the fish sector. Meanwhile, Egypt still faces stumbling blocks in the dairy and meat files due to weak coordination mechanisms with relevant European authorities.
Dairy Expert Calls for Protection of Egyptian Brands from “Counterfeiting Mafia” Abroad
Regarding Katilo Company, the Chairman revealed its success in presenting dairy products with European quality and taste, made by Egyptian hands. These products have managed to reduce the import bill, which used to exceed $400 million, by offering a high-quality local alternative at a price approximately 60% lower than imported products.
He continued, “Success did not stop at the local market. These products have turned into an attraction in global markets, achieving tangible export figures thanks to their quality and price competitiveness.”
Counterfeiting of Trademarks.
Regarding the export markets where the company is active, he explained that there is notable expansion in the export markets covered by his company to include Arab Gulf states, the United States, Canada, and recently Australia. However, this success collides with a serious challenge: trademark counterfeiting.
Katilo warned of the spread of counterfeit products produced inside Egypt and exported to foreign markets, which damages the reputation of the national industry. He demanded decisive intervention from regulatory authorities to protect registered trademarks and support serious exporters to ensure the continued access of national products to international markets without legal or ethical obstacles.
