The programme brings together 36 enterprises operating in agricultural production, processing, and exports. Covering a total area of 250 square meters, the pavilion is designed in a modern and professional style, drawing strong interest from visitors, particularly importers and distributors from Egypt, the Middle East, and African countries.

Through their participation, Ho Chi Minh City businesses aim to study market demand and expand partnerships. Nguyen Thi Huyen, Director of Dong Duong Food Import-Export Co., Ltd., said her company expects Food Africa 2025 to help forge effective cooperation ties, enabling a greater volume of Vietnamese agricultural products to enter the Egyptian market.

Products on display have received high praise for quality, diversity, and competitiveness, notably pepper, cashew nuts, coffee, rice, dried fruit, bottled beverages, and canned fish. In this regard, Esmail Kamal, Chairman of Egypt-based Rakiza Business and Trade Solutions, spoke highly of the quality of Vietnamese rice and expressed his wish to expand cooperation with Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters.

According to Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of ITPC, Egypt is not only a large consumer market but also a gateway to the Middle East and Africa, offering broad export prospects for Vietnamese agricultural goods. She noted that improvements in product quality have strengthened Vietnam’s positioning, thus creating greater opportunities for deeper participation in regional supply chains.

Sharing the same assessment, Nguyen Duy Hung, Commercial Counsellor and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Egypt, said Vietnam has become a reliable supplier of several agricultural products in strong demand in the country, including coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, desiccated coconut, and seafood.

With a population of more than 108 million and annual inflows of around 17-18 million international tourists, he highlighted Egypt as a highly promising market for agricultural and food exports. He added that, beyond consumer demand, Egypt also imports large volumes of raw materials for livestock farming and food processing.

According to figures from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s exports of agricultural and aquatic products, including seafood, fruit and vegetables, cashew nuts, coffee, and pepper to Egypt reached approximately US$193 million during the 11-month period of 2025. While some items, such as tea and rice, have yet to gain significant market access due to price competition, they remain products with substantial growth potential.

Food Africa 2025 is among the most important agri-food trade events in the Middle East and Africa, attracting more than 1,100 exhibitors and companies from dozens of countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The wide range of products on offer reinforces the exhibition’s role as a global marketplace that facilitates partner searches, promotes import-export activity, and strengthens cross-continental supply chain linkages.

Earlier, on December 7, the Embassy of Vietnam in Egypt, in coordination with ITPC and the Egyptian Commercial Authority, hosted the Vietnam Business Forum in Cairo under the theme “Trade and Investment Opportunities under the Vietnam-Egypt Comprehensive Partnership.” The event gathered representatives of 36 Vietnamese enterprises attending Food Africa 2025.

Speaking at the forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Nguyen Nam Duong affirmed that the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership reflects the strong determination of both sides to advance economic and trade cooperation in line with untapped potential.

He underlined Egypt’s position as a key partner in North Africa and a strategic gateway for Vietnamese products to reach the wider regional market.

The ambassador pledged continued support for business communities of both countries through sustained dialogue, market advisory services, and business-matching activities to translate partnership opportunities into concrete projects, contracts, and cooperation outcomes.

At the same event, Alaa El-Bially, Head of Investment Promotion at the Egyptian Commercial Authority, outlined Egypt’s investment attraction policies, including tax incentives for foreign investors, and introduced cooperation opportunities in agriculture, food processing, logistics, green energy, tourism, industrial parks, free zones, and transshipment hubs.

 He was appreciative of the capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing, noting that these areas align closely with strong and growing demand in both the Egyptian market and the wider region.

Pangasius exports focus on expanding to CPTPP, Middle East

Pangasius exports are expected to focus on expanding into countries under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as well as the Middle East in the fourth quarter and next year.