Egyptian Fertilizer Suppliers and Chemicals: Export Guide for 2026

Buyers looking for Egyptian fertilizer suppliers are dealing with one of the fastest-growing parts of Egypt's export economy. Chemicals and fertilizers exports reached $7.07 billion in January–July 2026, up 25% on the same period of 2025, and made up 23.5% of non-oil exports³. The European Union was the largest market at $2.66bn³. This guide covers what Egypt sells, who buys it, the risks that affect supply, and what to check before you sign a contract for urea, plastics or industrial chemicals.

The sector in numbers

Chemicals and fertilizers form Egypt's second-largest non-oil export group after building materials. National data put the sector at $9.419bn in 2025, out of total non-oil exports of $48.567bn¹. The Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council reports a slightly higher $9.43bn, up 7.4% from $8.78bn in 2024².

Growth sped up in 2026:

Within the January–July 2026 figure, organic chemicals grew 44%, inorganic chemicals 30% and detergents 29%³. Fertilizers were the largest single product group in the first five months, ahead of plastics⁴.

What Egypt exports

Nitrogen fertilizers: urea and ammonia

Nitrogen fertilizers are the core of the sector. Egypt makes between 7 and 8 million tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers a year, and 40–50% is exported, according to the export council chairman⁶. Al-Ahram Weekly reported in 2025 that six factories produce nitrogen fertilizers, that local use is 5–6 million tonnes a year, and that fertilizer export revenue was about $3bn in 2024⁵.

Plants are large and export-oriented. For example, the MOPCO complex in Damietta produces 1.8 million tonnes of urea and 1.2 million tonnes of ammonia a year and exports 45% of its output to Europe⁷. Plants on the Mediterranean coast give short sailing times to southern Europe.

Phosphates and potash-based products

Unlike nitrogen products, phosphate- and potassium-based fertilizers do not depend on natural gas, and Egypt produces more than it needs at home⁶. That makes them a steadier option when gas supply is tight.

Petrochemicals, plastics and other chemicals

Petrochemicals were the stand-out growth line in 2026, at $1.78bn in the first seven months³. Plastics, detergents, and organic and inorganic chemicals also grew³⁴. For buyers of polymers, packaging resins and cleaning products, this is a growing supply base, but specifications vary widely by plant. Always ask for a full technical data sheet and safety data sheet for each grade.

Who buys Egyptian chemicals and fertilizers

In 2025 the top ten markets took about $5.62bn, close to 60% of the sector's exports²:

• Italy $1.284bn and Turkey $1.103bn led the list².
• Brazil $652m, Saudi Arabia $580.9m, France $479.5m and Spain $471.7m followed².
• Libya, Belgium, Morocco and Lebanon completed the top ten².

In 2026, the fastest growth came from non-Arab Asian markets, which rose 76% to $1.72bn, and from the United States, up 70%³. Fertilizer buyers in Europe (France, Italy, Spain), Africa (Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia), Asia (India, Bangladesh, Turkey) and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico) are all named as regular destinations⁵.

Risks every buyer should price in

Natural gas supply

Natural gas makes up more than 70% of the input cost of nitrogen fertilizers⁵. When gas is short, plants run at partial capacity. That happened in the summer of 2025, when the government brought in floating LNG import units to stabilise supply⁵. In March 2026, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed global urea prices up 29.3% in a month to $584.50 per tonne, and raised the risk that Egypt would ration gas to power stations first⁶.

What this means for you: build flexibility into delivery windows, ask the supplier how it handled the 2025 gas cuts, and avoid fixed-price, fixed-date contracts with heavy penalties unless the supplier has a clear gas allocation.

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Fertilizers are one of the six sectors covered by CBAM, alongside cement, iron and steel, aluminium, electricity and hydrogen⁸. The definitive phase started on 1 January 2026. EU importers must be authorised, report the embedded emissions of the goods, and buy and surrender CBAM certificates⁸. For urea and ammonia this cost can be significant. Before you contract, ask the Egyptian producer for verified, installation-level emissions data. A supplier that cannot provide it will cost you more at the EU border.

How to vet an Egyptian chemical or fertilizer supplier

1. Confirm the producer. Many offers come from traders. Ask for the name of the producing plant and a letter of authority if you are dealing with an agent.
2. Specification and analysis. For urea, agree nitrogen content, biuret, moisture and granule size in the contract. Insist on a certificate of analysis from an independent surveyor at loading.
3. Regulatory documents. EU buyers of chemicals need the right registration and safety documents. Ask early which documents the producer already holds for your market.
4. Emissions data. Required for CBAM goods into the EU since 2026⁸.
5. Logistics. Check the loading port, bulk or bagged packing, and laytime terms. Most bulk fertilizer is traded FOB or CFR.
6. Payment. Letters of credit are standard for first bulk cargoes.

For the general import process, documents and Incoterms, see our buyer's guide to importing from Egypt.

How Egypt Rise helps

Egypt Rise is a free bilingual B2B platform. Producers list their export catalogue with HS codes, minimum order quantities, capacity, certificates and Incoterms. Buyers can browse Egyptian products and factory profiles and contact suppliers directly, with no commission. To see how chemicals compare with other sectors, read our overview of Egypt's non-oil exports in 2026. Chemical and plastics producers can register a free business portal to reach importers in English and Arabic.

Frequently asked questions

How much fertilizer does Egypt export?

Egypt produces 7–8 million tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers a year and exports 40–50%, according to the export council⁶. Fertilizer exports were worth $1.4bn in the first five months of 2026⁴.

Who are the main buyers of Egyptian chemicals and fertilizers?

In 2025 Italy and Turkey were the largest markets, followed by Brazil, Saudi Arabia, France and Spain². The EU as a whole bought $2.66bn in January–July 2026³.

Does CBAM apply to Egyptian urea sold to the EU?

Yes. Fertilizers are covered, and since 1 January 2026 EU importers must buy CBAM certificates for embedded emissions⁸.

What is the main supply risk?

Natural gas availability. Gas accounts for over 70% of nitrogen fertilizer input costs, and shortages have forced plants to cut output before⁵⁶.

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This article is general information, not trade, legal or tax advice. Export data are revised and rules such as CBAM change, so check current figures with the Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council and the relevant authority before you contract.