Ban on Sugar Imports in Egypt Extended Amid Rising Domestic Production

16-Mar-2026 12:30 PM

Cairo. In the African nation of Egypt, the ban on sugar imports has once again been extended—this time by one month—due to an increase in domestic production.

A restriction on sugar imports, originally imposed on November 16, 2025, and set to remain in effect until March 2026, has now been extended through the end of April 2026. The country has witnessed a robust increase in domestic production.

According to available data, Egypt's sugar production rose by 19 percent compared to the 2023-24 season, reaching 3.1 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season; of this total, beet-based sugar accounted for 77 percent, while sugarcane-based sugar contributed 23 percent.

For the 2025-26 season, sugar production is projected to improve further by approximately 3 percent, reaching 3.18 million tonnes. In the 2024-25 period, domestic sugar consumption in Egypt rose to 3.75 million tonnes, while imports stood at 1.26 million tonnes.