Egypt the 4th largest glass supplier to Brazil

São Paulo – Egypt has been growing as a supplier of glass and glass products to Brazil, ranking fourth last year among the top glass exporting countries. Data compiled from Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services show that the Arab nation climbed six positions in the ranking of the leading exporters of glass and glass products to Brazil, as it had ranked 10th in 2023.

In 2024 Egyptians earned USD 37.9 million from exports of glass products to Brazil, marking a 105% increase over the previous year, when shipments grossed USD 18.4 million. Most exports consisted of tableware and kitchenware items, glass cups, sheets and panes, glass wicks, lead crystal glasses, demijohns, fiberglass mats, and glass objects for dressing tables and offices.

“Egypt has a very prosperous glass industry,” says Michael Gamal, head of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) office in Cairo. Gamal explains that the country maintains glass craftsmanship, mainly focused on antique pieces and the domestic market. However, most of Egypt’s glass sector consists of the growing glass industry dedicated to exports, producing tableware, glass for the automotive sector, and glass for construction and building materials.

“Egypt has made a huge leap in glass exports. In 2024 we Egyptians exported more than USD 400 million worth of glass worldwide, which is about EGP 18 billion,” says Gamal. According to data he provided to ANBA, the leading international markets of Egyptian glass are Turkey, the United States, Morocco, Spain, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Lebanon, and Brazil.

Gamal explains that Egypt has advantages in glass production. “We have available very large quantities of white sand, the raw material for glass,” he says. He also mentions the country’s competitive energy prices and the low cost of local labor, which he says keep the final product price very low. “Additionally, we have free trade agreements with most of the markets we export to, meaning we’re exporting our product tariff-free to these countries,” says Gamal.

Egyptian mission

To help Egyptian businesses explore the Brazilian market, Gamal says that the ABCC will focus on initiatives in the sector, particularly targeting tableware and automotive products. Additionally, a mission from the Egyptian glass industry to Brazil is being considered, in collaboration with Egypt’s Export Council for Building Materials and Chamber of Building Materials Industries.

Last year, Brazil imported USD 823.7 million worth of glass and glass products. This data refers to the “Glass and Glassworks” chapter in the trade ministry’s Comex Stat system that includes everything from glass fibers and sheets to rearview mirrors and utensils. The top three suppliers were China, Mexico, and the US. Brazil also has a strong local glass industry, including exporters.