Egyptian Swiss Group for Pasta, Milling and Concentrates is preparing to enter the Chinese market for the first time, with plans to export pasta and flour after completing the regulatory and customs registration requirements needed to access the market.
The move comes as Egypt and China seek to deepen economic and trade relations and expand cooperation between businesses in both countries.
Ahmed El Sebaie, General Manager of Egyptian Swiss Group, said the company has obtained the certification required to export its products to China and completed registration procedures with Chinese customs authorities, paving the way for shipments to begin in the coming period.
“We have also started preparing a dedicated team for the Chinese market to communicate with companies and potential customers, understand the nature of the market and study consumer needs,” El Sebaie said.
He added that pasta and flour are among the group’s priority products for export to China during the initial phase.
El Sebaie said stronger Egyptian-Chinese relations could provide a significant boost to trade and create broader opportunities for cooperation between companies in both countries, particularly amid Chinese measures aimed at facilitating the entry of African products into its market.
He noted that China represents one of the world’s largest consumer markets, offering substantial opportunities for Egyptian food manufacturers, although success requires a thorough understanding of Chinese consumer preferences and the establishment of strong commercial networks.
The group recently received a Chinese delegation representing one of the country’s largest bakery companies to explore potential areas of cooperation, particularly in flour supplies. El Sebaie said discussions remain at a preparatory stage.
He added that China’s zero-tariff policy on products imported from African countries could enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products and create greater opportunities for Egyptian exporters to expand their presence in the Chinese market.
“Egyptian Swiss products are competitively priced and capable of competing in the Chinese market,” El Sebaie said, expecting the new customs facilitations to support Egyptian exports and strengthen their presence in China.
The group’s preparations to enter the Chinese market began ahead of the latest efforts by Cairo and Beijing to deepen bilateral economic relations, reflecting a broader push to expand trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Growing export footprint
Founded in 1995, Egyptian Swiss Group for Pasta, Milling and Concentrates is one of Egypt’s major food manufacturing companies. The group began operations in grain and flour trading before expanding into manufacturing through mills in Borg El Arab and 10th of Ramadan City.
Its operations now span pasta, flour milling, concentrates and sauces, in addition to wheat storage silos.
The group currently has a milling capacity of around 45,000 tonnes per month through its facilities in 10th of Ramadan City and Borg El Arab, while its concentrates business has a production capacity of approximately 3,800 tonnes per month.
Egyptian Swiss currently exports to more than 60 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, up from more than 40 countries in 2025.
Exports account for around 80% of the group’s sales of pasta, flour and sauce products, compared with approximately 30% five years ago, while around 20% of its industrial production is allocated to the domestic market.
During the first half of 2026, the group maintained an estimated 15% share of Egypt’s total flour exports and around 10% of the country’s pasta exports.
