UK dairy producers have been handed an export boost worth up to £250m over the next five years after the government negotiated the prevention of a new trade barrier in Egypt.
The north African country had been due to impose new regulations mandating halal certification on all dairy imports from January 2026.
The proposed barrier would have added over £1,000 per shipment in certification fees, plus increased bureaucracy. But following engagement on the issue by Defra and the Department for International Trade, Egypt will not now impose the barrier – “reducing costs, simplifying export procedures and creating new commercial opportunities for processors”, the government said in a statement.
Removing the trade barrier was “particularly good news for producers of cheese, butter and milk powder – some of the UK’s most popular dairy exports – which now faced fewer hurdles when selling to Egyptian buyers”, it added.
The move forms part of the government’s Trade Strategy, launched in June, which was focused on removing market access barriers, opening new markets, and growing the UK economy, DBT said.
It also supported the government’s “wider aim to deliver a steady pipeline of export wins following the launch of the strategy – highlighting how targeted interventions can deliver real-world results for UK businesses”.
The announcement was welcomed by Provision Trade Federation director general Rod Addy. “Hopefully this change will open growth opportunities for other dairy categories such as cheese and butter, helping to diversify and expand the UK’s export portfolio in this key market benefiting both UK producers and Egyptian consumers.”
The UK exported about £26m worth of dairy produce to Egypt last year.
“This is a clear win for UK farmers,” said minister for trade policy Douglas Alexander. “By opening up the Egyptian market, we’re helping British farmers sell more of their world-class dairy abroad,” he added.
“This is what our Trade Strategy looks like in action: removing barriers, boosting exports, and backing communities across the UK.”
It comes a week after the government confirmed 12 UK pork businesses had secured tariff-free access to the Mexican market. The agreement is worth at least £19m over the next five years.
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