The Food Export Council organized a symposium entitled “New Opportunities for the Egyptian Food Industries in the Japanese Market,” in preparation for the “Foodex Japan 2026” exhibition scheduled to be held from 10 to 13 next March, in cooperation with the Egyptian trade representation in Tokyo. The symposium aimed to introduce opportunities to access the Japanese market and review the development of Egyptian exports, export requirements and the most important factors for success in one of the most precise and private global markets, with the participation of a number of council officials, Japanese market experts and representatives of Egyptian companies.
Mai Khairy, Executive Director of the Council, confirmed that the Egyptian participation in the exhibition includes a combined pavilion that includes 5 companies, in addition to 7 other companies participating outside the pavilion, noting that a promotional campaign targeting Japanese buyers will be organized before the launch of the exhibition, with bilateral business meetings being held with Japanese importers to enhance the opportunities of Egyptian companies and expand their presence in the market.
For his part, Dr. Tamim Al-Dawy, Deputy Executive Director of the Council, explained that Egyptian food industry exports to Japan rose to $32 million in 2025 compared to $30 million in 2024, with a growth rate of 7%, with frozen strawberries topping the list of exports with a value of $12 million, followed by products such as beetroot dregs, dried onions, pasta and juices. He added that about 50 Egyptian companies exported their products to Japan during the past year, which reflects the concentration of the bulk of exports in companies with experience and the ability to adhere to Japanese specifications.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Gawad Allam, Minister Plenipotentiary for Trade and Head of the Commercial Representation Office in Tokyo, stressed that the Japanese market needs a deep understanding of its nature and the working mechanisms within it, pointing out that participation in exhibitions is not an opportunity for a quick deal but rather the beginning of long-term relationships, and that the Japanese importer pays great attention to adherence to specifications, quality and consistency in providing the product, apart from just the price.
Engineer Imad Shaker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Japan Food Solutions, stressed that quality in the Japanese market is an indivisible standard, and that any error in the product or packaging affects the reputation of the company and all Egyptian products, stressing the need for patience and continuity to build a stable presence within the market, with full commitment to the requirements of the Japanese consumer and the local work culture, ensuring the sustainability of cooperation and achieving sustainable growth for Egyptian exports.
