ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT PROFILE

Egypt's poultry sector is the largest in Africa and a cornerstone of national food security, with broiler production covering an estimated 97% of domestic demand for chicken meat. Industry estimates put annual production in the range of 1.7–1.8 million metric tons, with forecasts pointing toward roughly 1.9 million metric tons by 2028 (Poultry World, 2026). Egg production has scaled rapidly too, reaching an estimated 16 billion eggs in 2025, up from 14 billion the year before.

Alongside large-scale commercial layer farms, where battery cages remain the standard system, traditional "baladi" rearing, in which hens are kept cage-free in backyard or smallholder settings, continues to hold a meaningful place in the market. Many Egyptian consumers regard baladi eggs as more natural, tastier, and healthier than commercially produced eggs, and are willing to pay a premium for them. Rural, backyard chicken numbers grew by an estimated 12.5% in 2025 alone, reaching 360 million birds.

Modernization efforts, backed by government investment exceeding EGP 100 billion and a growing network of desert-based mega-farms, are driving gains in production efficiency and biosecurity. At the same time, rising consumer awareness, particularly among urban, middle-class buyers, is opening space for a gradual shift toward higher-welfare systems, a trend AWL is engaging directly through initiatives like our November 2025 workshop with Mansoura University on the benefits and challenges of free-range poultry farming.