Arab Finance: Egypt imported approximately $3.514 billion worth of iron ores, concentrates, and iron and steel raw materials during the first seven months of 2026, up 5.4% from $3.333 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) data.

Iron and steel raw material imports totaled about $2.622 billion between January and July 2026, a 5% increase from $2.496 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.

Imports of iron ores and concentrates rose at a faster rate of 6.7%, reaching $892.608 million, compared with $836.57 million a year earlier.

The rise in imports coincided with intensified efforts within the business community to resolve steel billet supply difficulties and restart idle rolling mills. These initiatives aim to limit the disruption to the steel market and protect the domestic industry’s production capacity.