Analyzing the Sahara 2023 Global Overview: The Commercial Heart of Agri-Investment

The Sahara Expo 2023 marked a pivotal moment for the MENA agricultural sector, serving as its undisputed commercial heart and innovation hub. Held under the distinguished patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the event celebrated its 35th edition, solidifying its legacy as the longest-running and most influential agriculture event in the region. Expertly organized by Informa Markets, Sahara 2023 successfully connected 225 exhibitors with 17,000 specialist visitors, facilitating critical trade discussions and driving over 2.5 million points of social interaction. Beyond a traditional trade show, it acted as a dynamic platform for advancing crop production, integrating digital agricultural solutions, and securing sustainable investment strategies.

The Ministry of Agriculture is aiming for greater self-sufficiency in the country. For example, Egypt is still highly dependent on imports of wheat and maize. In order to control cultivation, the Egyptian state sets the purchase prices for various crops. Raising or lowering these prices creates incentives for planting. In addition, temporary import and export duties, for example for sugar, serve to ensure supplies to the domestic market at reasonable costs.

Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors of the economy, accounting for over 15% of the region’s GDP. In addition to cotton as one of the most important export products, sugar cane, corn, rice, wheat, millet, potatoes, barley and onions are grown. Other products include watermelon, citrus, mango, dates, figs and wine.

The exhibition floor was a showcase of innovation, with strong representation across high-growth industries essential for the region’s food security:

• Fertilizers & Crop Protection: A dominant sector featuring major chemical and organic producers.

• Water Management & Irrigation: Advanced solutions for water scarcity, a critical focus for the region.

• Agricultural Machinery: State-of-the-art equipment for precision farming and large-scale operations.

• Seeds & Nurseries: The foundation of crop quality and yield improvement.

• Sustainable Agriculture & Greenhouses: Technologies focused on climate resilience and protected cultivation.

• Post-Harvest Services: Solutions for storage, logistics, and value addition.

Sahara 2023 was a truly international hub, hosting exhibitors from across the globe. While Egypt represented the core (46%), there was significant participation from China (19%), Spain (6%), Poland, Germany, and India. Other key participating nations included Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Canada, and the Netherlands, reflecting the global interest in African agri-investment.

The event’s success was underpinned by a powerful coalition of industry leaders and financial institutions:

• Conference & Strategic Partner: SME Consulting. We were proud to serve as a primary knowledge partner, shaping the strategic dialogue around investment and feasibility.

• Strategic Partner: National Bank of Egypt (NBE), driving financial inclusion and support for agri-businesses.

• Platinum Sponsors: Agricultural Bank of Egypt and Evergrow, leaders in agricultural finance and specialty fertilizers.

• Gold Sponsor: Techno Seeds.

• Sponsor: Kafr El Zayat for Pesticides & Chemicals.

• Young Entrepreneurs Partner: Egyptian Junior Business Association (EJB).