Egypt secures EU market access for farmed fish exports

Egypt has secured authorization to export aquaculture products, including farmed finfish and crustaceans, to all 27 European Union member states. The approval follows the adoption of Implementing Regulation 2026/2228, which recognizes Egypt’s aquaculture monitoring plan and its ability to meet strict European standards regarding chemical residues, pesticides, and contaminants.

The Egyptian Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade stated that the approval is a result of technical and institutional efforts to align national regulatory frameworks with EU requirements. This includes strengthening monitoring systems and preparing comprehensive dossiers for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety.

This development opens access to a significant market, as the EU imports approximately 5.9 million tons of seafood from non-bloc countries annually. Egypt is Africa’s largest fish-farming nation, producing roughly 1.6 million tons of farmed aquatic animals in 2024. While the regulation permits exports, individual establishments must still comply with EU hygiene rules and undergo official certification and border checks.