Egypt's Petroleum Exports Surge to $2.3 Billion in First Half of 2026

Egypt's petroleum exports have seen a significant surge in the first half of 2026, reaching $2.3 billion in value and matching last year's total export volume in just six months.

The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry reported that the country exported over 2.3 million tonnes of petroleum products, including jet fuel, naphtha, waxes, and vacuum distillate, in the first half of this year.

The ministry attributes this growth to increased crude oil production, which has reached its highest level in about two years, as well as improved refinery utilization rates. According to Minister Karim Badawi, the country's refining activity has strengthened due to larger volumes of domestic and imported crude supplied to Egyptian refineries.

Refinery utilization has risen to around 80 percent this year, helping to meet domestic demand for petroleum products, curb imports, and expand exports of surplus products. State-owned refineries have also seen operational improvements, with Cairo Oil Refining Co.'s Mostorod gasoline complex increasing monthly output by around 45,000 tonnes of gasoline and 40,000 tonnes of jet fuel.