Trade barriers lifted for UK dairy exports to Egypt

The UK dairy sector is set to benefit from enhanced market access for exports to Egypt from 2026 onwards.

Roughly £26m of UK dairy products were exported to Egypt in 2024, with milk powders and cream making up the majority of trade.

Trade barriers were initially planned to be introduced next year by Egypt, limiting market access for UK dairy exports to the country by restricting trade to only goods with Halal certification.

See also: Domestic dairy faces growing competition from imports

However, following successful negotiations between the Egyptian government, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Defra, these trade barriers will no longer come into effect.

Their removal is estimated to have saved more than £1,000 per shipment in certification fees and associated costs.

DBT has estimated that continued market access to Egypt could be worth between £100m and £400m to the domestic dairy sector in total, during the next five years.

Douglas Alexander, DBT minister, branded the announcement a “clear win for UK farmers”, adding that it would help them sell more dairy products abroad.

He said: “This is what our trade strategy looks like in action: removing barriers, boosting exports, and backing communities across the UK.”

Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: “Britain is a great place for dairy farming and has an excellent reputation for quality, welfare standards and sustainability globally.

“The change to certification requirements in Egypt will cut costs and red tape for exporters, boosting growth opportunities.”

Rod Addy, director general of food trade association Provision Trade Federation, added that the changes should help to open growth opportunities for other dairy categories, such as cheese and butter.