Egypt’s feed sector drives maize past wheat in import demand

EGYPT – Rising demand from Egypt’s poultry and aquaculture industries is set to push maize imports above wheat for the first time in 2026/27, highlighting the growing influence of animal feed on the country’s grain trade.

The latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast puts Egypt’s maize imports at a record 13.2 million tonnes, up 700,000 tonnes from the previous marketing year. 

Wheat imports are expected to fall to 13 million tonnes from 15.5 million tonnes.

The shift is largely being driven by feed demand. 

Poultry and aquaculture together account for more than 85% of Egypt’s domestic maize consumption, while domestic production supplies only about one-third of the country’s maize requirements.

Poultry and aquaculture push maize demand

USDA expects Egypt’s maize consumption to reach 17.4 million tonnes in 2026/27, up from 16.9 million tonnes, with growth linked to the expanding poultry sector, improved foreign-exchange availability and increased feed supplies.

The poultry industry has expanded significantly in recent years. 

Egypt produced around 1.92 billion broilers and 16 billion table eggs in 2025, compared with about 1.4 billion birds and 14 billion eggs annually before 2023. 

Aquaculture now accounts for around 80% of the country’s fish production.

This expansion is increasing demand for maize as a key feed grain. 

Egypt has more than doubled its maize imports since the 2022/23 marketing year as domestic production continues to fall short of feed requirements.

The scale of the demand means Egypt is expected to remain one of the world’s largest maize importers. 

If the 13.2 million-tonne forecast is realised, the country will rank fifth globally, behind Mexico, the European Union, Vietnam and Japan.

Brazil, Argentina and the United States are expected to benefit from the additional demand. 

USDA’s Cairo office said US maize is regaining a presence in Egypt on competitive pricing and quality, while Brazil is expected to remain a major supplier.

Feed demand reshapes Egypt’s grain market

The changing import mix reflects the growing scale of Egypt’s animal protein industries. 

While wheat remains strategically important for food security and subsidised bread, maize is increasingly tied to the expansion of poultry, livestock and aquaculture production.

The development reinforces Egypt’s dependence on imported feed grains. 

Domestic yellow maize production covers less than 40% of feed demand, leaving feed manufacturers reliant on international markets to secure supplies.

The growing maize requirement also strengthens the link between Egypt’s livestock and aquaculture expansion and global feed-grain supply chains, with international maize suppliers playing an increasingly important role in supporting domestic feed production.

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