The Chemical Export Council (CEC) reported an increase of 32% in the volume of chemical exports during the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 to reach $1.02bn compared to $774.7m during the same period in 2016.
In March, chemical exports rose by 21% to reach $354.1m compared to $ 299.9m during the same month last year, according to a report issued by the CFC on Tuesday.
The report said that the sector’s exports of fertilizers increased during Q1 to reach $ 226.6m compared to $ 159.6m during the same period last year—an increase of 67%.
Meanwhile, exports of plastics and caoutchouc increased by 18% to reach $324.15m, compared to $273.6m during the same period last year.
The report pointed out that Egypt’s exports of organic chemicals increased by 244% to reach $ 96.96m compared to $28.1m last year. Exports of paper products reached $122.98m compared to $109.8m the previous year—an increase of 12%.
Detergent exports increased by 36% to record $ 75.89m, compared to $ 56m in 2016.
On the other hand, the report noted that Egypt’s exports of inorganic chemicals decreased by 6% to reach $59.5m compared to $63.29m in the same period last year. Exports of glass products decreased by 7% to reach $33.85m compared to $36.51m during Q1 2016.
“Exports of miscellaneous chemicals declined by 18% to reach $23.6m compared to $28.41m, and exports of adhesives dropped by 4% to record $9.35m, compared to $9.7m in the same period last year,” the report read.
