Cairo: Egypt's trade deficit narrowed by 4.6 percent year-on-year in August 2025 to $4.73 billion, down from $4.96 billion in August 2024, according to data released on Sunday, November 9, 2025, by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

According to State Information Service Egypt, the improvement came as exports rose 6.7 percent to $3.96 billion, driven by stronger performance in several key sectors, while imports edged up only 0.2 percent to $8.69 billion. Export growth was supported by higher sales of ready-made garments, pasta and other food preparations, crude oil, and soap and cleaning materials.

However, some major export commodities recorded declines, including petroleum products, plastics in primary forms, fertilizers, and fresh fruits. On the import side, the overall increase was modest, though several categories saw sharp rises. Imports of natural gas, passenger cars, soybeans, and corn showed significant increases.

Meanwhile, imports of petroleum products, iron and steel raw materials, wheat, and plastics in primary forms declined compared with August 2024. Economists noted that the August figures reflect a gradual improvement in Egypt's trade performance, supported by stronger non-oil exports and limited import growth.

The ongoing recovery in manufacturing and food industries, along with lower import dependence in some sectors, has helped ease pressure on the country's trade balance. Egypt aims to increase the value of its exports by 20 percent annually over the next five years under its new economic strategy.