Egypt’s ready-made garment exports increased by 10% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026, reaching $862 million, according to the Export Council for Ready-Made Garments.
The council said the performance reflects continued export momentum despite global economic challenges, alongside improved competitiveness of Egyptian manufacturing and sustained foreign demand for locally made products.
Europe remained the largest destination for Egyptian garment exports during the January–March period, accounting for around 44% of total exports. Shipments to European markets rose 21% year-on-year to $379 million, up from $313 million in the same period of 2025.
Exports to the United States also posted solid growth, climbing to $329 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared with $289 million a year earlier, reinforcing the U.S.’s position as one of Egypt’s top export markets.
Arab countries accounted for 13.4% of Egypt’s garment exports during the quarter.
Among individual markets, Turkey remained one of the leading importers of Egyptian garments, with imports rising to $101 million from $96 million in the corresponding period last year.
Italy emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with Egyptian garment exports to the country surging 103% year-on-year to $24 million.
By product category, trousers topped Egypt’s garment exports during the quarter, driven particularly by higher-value denim products. Exports in this category rose 16% to $332 million, compared with $286 million a year earlier.
Women’s blouses and woven shirts ranked second, generating $114 million in exports, up from $102 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting broader diversification across Egypt’s garment export base.
