Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Lutfi Rauf, reveals that 69.81% of Indonesia's exports to Egypt consist of halal food products. Indonesia remains optimistic about playing a significant role in capturing the commercial market share in Egypt. "Halal food products have become a fundamental need for Egypt and its surroundings, amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza crisis, and inflation in the Middle East," stated Lutfi Rauf at the annual trade exhibition "Cairo Food Africa" held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo from December 12 to 14, 2023, as quoted in a press release received on Sunday (17/12/2023). The exhibition, attended by 900 companies representing 32 countries, was inaugurated by Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir, and Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Ali Moselhi. Ambassador Rauf explains that Indonesia's participation in the annual Food Africa exhibition is an effort to increase the export share of Indonesian products, especially food and beverages, in the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean region. "This effort aims to maintain Indonesia's product position and explore new potential opportunities," he added.
Meanwhile, Trade Attaché in Cairo, M Syahran Bhakti S, added that Egypt and Africa are priority trade destinations for Indonesia to boost exports to around USD 1.5 to USD 2 billion per year. He stated that exports of palm oil, coffee, spices, and other halal food products from Indonesia to Egypt reached USD 732.56 million from January to September 2023, contributing 1.79% to Egypt's total global imports. In the "Cairo Food Africa" trade exhibition, Indonesia's participation included PT Golden Coffee Beans from Lampung and PT Nutrifood Indonesia showcasing food and health beverage products such as Tropicana Slim, NutriSari, L-Men, HiLo, W'dank, and Lokalate. Ambassador Rauf also held a business meeting with Mahmoud El Fayoumi, CEO of Al Fayoumy for Trading and Distribution, who plans to import canned tuna and canned sardines from Indonesia by the end of 2023, amounting to USD 500,000. Indonesia's food product exports to Egypt from January to September 2023 include palm oil worth USD 608 million, coffee beans USD 71.47 million, coconut oil USD 22 million, vegetable fat USD 14.41 million, food seasonings USD 5.4 million, cocoa powder USD 3.9 million, grated coconut USD 2.42 million, charcoal briquettes USD 1.9 million, fisheries and marine products USD 1.82 million, and nutmeg products totaling USD 488,000.
