Belarus and Egypt have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the agro-industrial sector, with a focus on expanding Belarusian dairy exports to the Egyptian market. The decision was reached during a meeting of the Belarus-Egypt Joint Working Group on Agriculture, held via videoconference, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The meeting was co-chaired by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ivan Smilgin and Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Mustafa Al-Sayyad. Representatives from both countries’ ministries and research institutions also took part, underscoring the growing importance of agricultural cooperation between Minsk and Cairo.
According to the ministry, agricultural trade between Belarus and Egypt doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year. Belarus mainly exported dairy products, while Egypt supplied fruits, vegetables, melons, and coffee extracts. Both sides expressed interest in further diversifying trade and removing regulatory barriers.
The parties discussed key steps to enhance collaboration, including mutual recognition of veterinary and phytosanitary certificates, recognition of Belarusian Halal certification, and the registration of Belarusian baby food for sale in Egypt. They also explored opportunities for joint feed production projects, agricultural machinery supplies, and scientific cooperation in food security.
Deputy Minister Ivan Smilgin highlighted the readiness of Belarusian enterprises to increase their presence in Egypt’s market.
“We are open to dialogue and ready to support business initiatives aimed at sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership,” he said, emphasizing Belarus’ commitment to quality and reliability.
This initiative marks another step in Belarus’ broader strategy to expand its agricultural exports and build long-term trade relationships with African and Middle Eastern markets, positioning Belarusian dairy producers for stronger global competitiveness.
