Page 27 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Egypt

Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Strengthening Egyptian Pound to Ease disease (LSD) and losses of 265,000
of Defense, have become Egypt’s largest Beef Prices, Consumption and Imports head.
importers of live cattle and frozen beef to Rise in 2018). The ministry has not
and varietal meats (i.e., livers, hearts, released any new revised figures. There Since December 2019, the ministry has
and kidneys). These ministries today are is also no reliable data as to the presence carried out a preventative vaccination
the largest players in the live cattle and and utilization of dual-purpose animals campaign for Rift Valley fever (RVF).
beef markets, driving down the cost of in Egypt; beyond anecdotal observations The disease reportedly has not made its
beef, and especially of imported beef. of mixed breed animals used for both way into Egypt in 2019-2020. To limit the
milk and beef production. spread of RVF into Egypt, there has been
PRODUCTION FAS Cairo forecasts Egypt’s cattle total an increase in the slaughter of Sudanese
live cattle (starting in December 2019)
slaughter in MY 2021 at 1.79 million and processing for its beef south of the
FAS Cairo forecasts Egypt’s production head, up by 1.5 percent or increasing by Egypt-Sudan border.
(calf crop) in market year (MY) 2021 25,000 animals compared to the USDA’s
(January-December) at 1.94 million head, official MY 2020 estimate of 1.76 million Cattle production input costs are
unchanged from the U.S. Department of head. Post attributes the increase to high despite the Egyptian government
Agriculture’s (USDA) official MY 2020 additional cows available for slaughter adopting measures to lower costs.
number. Total supply in MY 2021 will due to improvements in animal welfare. The government authorized in 2018
reach 9.99 million animals, increasing Better care is reducing Egypt’s animal the planting of an additional 400,000
by 125,000 head or slightly over one loss rate. Although 200,000 animals will hectares for yellow corn for cattle
percent above the USDA’s official MY be lost due to disease in MY 2021, this feed. To support production, the MALR
2020 figure of 9.86 million. amount is down 20 percent from MY purchases local feed corn at fixed times
Egypt’s national herd is largely 2020’s losses of 250,000 head. during the year and at set prices. To lower
cattle production costs, the MALR aims to
composed of bovine dairy cattle (Bos The Ministry of Agriculture and increase feed corn yields to 12 metric
taurus) and domestic water buffalo Land Reclamation reports a drop in tons (MT) per hectare by 2030. Feed costs
(Bubalus bubalis), split in a ratio of 55 to animal deaths from foot-and-mouth per animal are Egyptian pounds (EGP)
45 percent. The Ministry of Agriculture (FMD) disease. Its current vaccination 45.00 ($2.82) to EGP 60.00 ($3.76) per
and Land Reclamation (MALR) released campaign, launched in December 2019, day making it burdensome for the small-
in 2016, Egypt’s most recent national herd is preventively controlling potential FMD scale producer (FOREX EGP 15.98 to
number. Reporting then approximately outbreaks (3 million head vaccinated USD $1.00). Water availability also poses
8.5 million animals (i.e., 4.7 million between December 2019 and April production challenges. The government
head of dairy cattle and 3.8 million 2020). The last reported disease seeks herd growth to increase domestic
head of water buffalo), including calf occurrence, affecting production was beef production, increase carcass
production numbers (see GAIN EGYPT in 2018, when the Egyptian government weight, and stabilize market prices.
– Egypt Livestock Products Annual 2017:
announced an outbreak of lumpy skin

EGYPT EXPORTED 2.23 MILLION TONS OF FRUIT AND

VEGETABLES IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2020

Increasing the nation’s exports is one of by 550,000 tons of potatoes in the first followed by potatoes at 11 per cent,
the key targets of the Egypt’s agricultural quarter of 2020 to a value of $14 million. grapes at 10 per cent, and onions at 9
experts. The future depends on per cent.
achieving a leap in exports, since these The agricultural strategy is based
are a fundamental source of the foreign on expanding and diversifying the
currency necessary for development. production of crops, particularly fruit
and vegetables, for export, since in these
The agricultural sector has the most areas Egypt has a competitive edge in
potential to utilise Egypt’s natural and international markets.
human resources to supply the local The country’s agricultural exports
market with its needs, generate job were valued at $821 million during the
opportunities, and attract more domestic first quarter of 2019, up from $812 million
and foreign investment.
during the same period of 2018. Egypt’s
Egypt exported 2.23 million tons of fruit agricultural exports also saw increasing
and vegetables during the first quarter international demand despite the
of 2020, rising to the first spot globally of Covid-19 outbreak.
countries exporting citrus fruit. Oranges
topped the list of exports at 1.2 million In 2018-19, citrus fruit made up 31
tons to a value of $107 million, followed per cent of Egypt’s agricultural exports,

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