The European Union has approved new legislation easing import procedures for Egyptian potatoes. The Egyptian government said the change will reduce costs and simplify access to one of its main agricultural export markets.
According to Egypt's agriculture ministry, the updated regulation, EU Regulation No. 1289/2025, increases the permitted shipment weight and lowers the number of samples required for inspection. The changes apply to exports from designated disease-free zones.
"This is a significant step forward for Egyptian agricultural exports, especially potatoes," said Mohamed El-Mensy, head of Egypt's Central Administration of Plant Quarantine (CAPQ).
The adjustments follow consultations between Egyptian authorities and EU counterparts. These involved the plant quarantine authority, the national brown rot control project, and the potato export committee at the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.
Egypt exported 1.3 million tons of potatoes this season, the highest volume on record, according to the agriculture ministry. The government expects the updated EU rules to improve operational efficiency and maintain the competitiveness of Egyptian produce in European markets. The agriculture ministry stated that efforts are ongoing to expand exports and maintain a consistent supply to global markets.
Source: Amwal Al Ghad
