Ukraine is considering setting up its own agri-hub in Egypt, a permanent platform for promoting Ukrainian farm produce in the country and the wider region, and is preparing an agricultural trade mission with meetings with Egypt’s state grain buyers. The plans were discussed by Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotskyi, and Egypt’s new ambassador to Ukraine, Ahmed Salama Mohamed Elhamshary, the Ukrainian government portal reported on 16 October.
“The agri-hub could become a permanent platform for Ukrainian agricultural products in Egypt,” said First Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk. The next steps are to work out the operating model, logistics and ways to bring in international partners. The trade mission is meant to give Ukrainian producers direct contact with buyers. No dates have been set for either initiative.
Sea exports
Maritime exports dominated the talks. “The situation with sea exports remains very difficult,” Vysotskyi said. Ukraine is making maximum use of the Danube, rail and road, he said, but alternative routes cannot fully replace the capacity of deep-water Black Sea ports. Restrictions on Ukrainian exports affect global food security, not only Ukrainian farmers, the minister stressed. The two sides also discussed the safety of civilian shipping.
Why Egypt
“Egypt is one of the key markets for Ukrainian agricultural products,” Vysotskyi said. According to Qahwa.Media’s calculations based on State Customs Service data, Ukraine exported $802 million worth of goods to Egypt in January–September 2026, the highest figure for any Arab country. Almost 60% of that was wheat: 2.18 million tonnes worth $476 million. Maize accounted for another $131 million and sunflower oil for $121 million.
