Egyptian exporters of cauliflower and broccoli have continued to strengthen their presence in the UK market for the fourth consecutive season, according to EastFruit. In the 2024/25 season (October–September), shipments reached a record 879 tons, with export value surpassing USD 3 million for the first time. This volume is 2.3 times higher than the previous season and exceeds the combined shipments of the prior four seasons. The average annual growth rate during this period was nearly 626%.
Egypt’s official exports of cauliflower and broccoli to the UK were first recorded in 2006. Until 2022, shipments remained sporadic and relatively small. Consistent growth only began in the 2022/23 season. Typically, the export season runs from October-November through April-May, with peak volumes in the winter months. In 2024/25, the highest monthly shipment (347 tons) was recorded in January, nearly equal to the entire volume of the previous season. Unlike earlier years, the season extended until June, with even a small consignment shipped in August.
Also see: Egypt strengthens pumpkin exports to Italy for the third consecutive year
Spain remains the UK’s leading supplier of cauliflower and broccoli, accounting for 70–80% of imports. France and Kenya also rank among the top three. However, overall UK imports, which had shown steady growth in recent years, declined slightly this season due to reduced volumes from Spain and France. At the same time, imports from other origins continue to expand. In 2020/21, non-top-three suppliers represented just over 6% of UK imports; by 2024/25, their share had risen to nearly 14%. Compared with 2020/21, imports from Poland increased 3.8 times, Germany 4.2 times, Italy 5.3 times, and Portugal an astonishing 117 times. Egypt recorded the most dramatic growth, with shipments rising 2,700-fold.
It is also noteworthy that Egypt exported a record volume of sweet potatoes to the UK in the same season.
