MWE Correspondent
Egypt’s trade with BRICS countries rose by 25.5 percent to $36.7 billion during the first half of 2026, highlighting the rapidly expanding economic relationship between Cairo and the emerging-market bloc.
According to data released by Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), trade between Egypt and BRICS countries increased from $29.3 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
However, the increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in Egyptian imports from BRICS countries, while Egyptian exports to the bloc declined.
Egyptian imports reached approximately $30.2 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $21.8 billion during the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports fell to $6.6 billion from $7.4 billion.
China remained Egypt’s largest BRICS source of imports, supplying goods worth around $10.4 billion. The United Arab Emirates followed with $5.3 billion, Saudi Arabia with $5.2 billion, Russia with $3.8 billion and Brazil with $2.4 billion.
On the export side, Saudi Arabia was the largest destination for Egyptian products at $1.8 billion, followed by the UAE at $1.7 billion, India at approximately $868 million, China at $841 million and Brazil at about $633 million.
Egypt’s major exports to BRICS markets included precious stones and jewellery, vegetables and fruits, mineral fuels and oils, fertilisers, electrical machinery and equipment, and plastics.
Meanwhile, major imports included mineral fuels and oils, electrical machinery, cereals, iron and steel, vehicles and organic chemicals.
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The strengthening relationship extends beyond merchandise trade.
BRICS countries invested $6.2 billion in Egypt during the 2024/2025 financial year, while Egyptian investments in BRICS economies reached $2.2 billion. The UAE was the largest BRICS investor in Egypt, followed by Saudi Arabia, China, Russia and India.
Separately, investment from BRICS countries into Egypt reached $3.7 billion during the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year, representing a 29.7 percent increase from $2.9 billion during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
Remittances have also become an important part of Egypt’s economic relationship with the bloc. Money sent home by Egyptians working in BRICS countries reached $15.7 billion during the 2024/2025 financial year, up from $9.8 billion a year earlier, representing an increase of about 59.5 percent.
Egypt formally joined BRICS in January 2024, alongside Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran and Ethiopia, while Indonesia became a member in 2025. The bloc now has 11 members.
The latest figures demonstrate the growing importance of BRICS economies to Egypt’s external trade and investment strategy. Official Egyptian government information shows that total trade with BRICS reached $45 billion in 2024 and increased to $53.5 billion in 2025 before reaching $36.7 billion in just the first six months of 2026.
Egypt’s participation in the grouping is also being viewed as an opportunity to attract investment into strategic sectors including industry, energy, infrastructure, technology and logistics.
However, the widening trade gap presents a challenge for Cairo. With imports significantly exceeding exports, Egypt will need to expand its exports to BRICS markets if it is to capture a larger share of the economic opportunities created by membership.
The figures therefore point to two parallel developments: BRICS is becoming increasingly important to Egypt’s economy, while Egypt faces pressure to strengthen domestic production and exports so that deeper integration with the bloc produces a more balanced trade relationship.
As BRICS continues to expand its economic cooperation and promote greater trade among member states, Egypt is positioning its membership as an avenue for investment, market access and stronger economic ties with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
