Egypt extends onion export prohibition until 30 March

Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has extended a ban on onion exports until 30 March 2024. The government is monitoring the sufficient availability and affordability of various commodities in markets. In early October, Egypt’s three-month ban on onion exports came into effect.

Recently, onion prices in Egypt have surged to EGP 35 per kilogram in some local markets across Egypt; a significant increase from EGP 27 the previous month and EGP 12 a year ago. Onions have traditionally been one of the most affordable vegetables in the country and are a staple in Egyptian cuisine.

According to the official statistics authority CAPMAS, Egypt’s onion exports surged by 95.9 percent to reach $129.3 million during the first six months of 2023, up from $66 million in the same period a year earlier.