June 19, 2026

Egypt achieves full self-sufficiency in producing fresh milk

Egypt has achieved full self-sufficiency in fresh milk production, with domestic output reaching around seven million tonnes in 2026, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

The figure shows an increase from approximately 6.5 million tonnes recorded last year, representing annual growth of about 8%. According to Tarek Suleiman, head of the ministry's Animal and Poultry Wealth Development Sector, the increase has been driven by genetic improvement programmes aimed at enhancing local breeds and crossbreeding them with high-yield dairy breeds.

The programme focuses on preserving the disease resistance and climate adaptability of local livestock while incorporating traits from foreign breeds to improve productivity and increase returns for breeders. Suleiman said the initiative has significantly raised milk yields, with average daily production per dairy cow reaching about 20 kilogrammes, compared with roughly seven kilogrammes previously.

Breed development and genetic improvement programmes are continuing as part of broader efforts to strengthen the livestock sector, support sustainability, and reduce reliance on imported dairy products.

- Cairo Scene