The Egyptian agricultural sector is poised for significant advancements as Minister of Agriculture El-Sayed El-Quseir recently met with Dr. Magdy El-Sayed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mefac Misr, to discuss boosting the production of veterinary vaccines and localizing their manufacturing technologies. The meeting on March 24, 2025, emphasized the importance of enhancing vaccine production capabilities to better meet both domestic and export needs.
During the meeting, Minister El-Quseir reiterated the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi aimed at localizing industrial technologies in Egypt, which helps save hard currency and fulfill local market needs for both human and veterinary vaccines. "This contributes to achieving added value for the national product and attracting more foreign investments while providing job opportunities," El-Quseir stated.
The minister highlighted the necessity of cataloging all veterinary vaccines used in Egypt and developing a comprehensive study on those that could be localized, thereby expanding their production. He added that the state is committed to supporting the private sector by providing necessary facilities and working to remove any obstacles that may hinder local companies.
Dr. Magdy El-Sayed presented an overview of Mefac's production capabilities, revealing that the company, which has attracted investments exceeding 5 billion Egyptian pounds from Egyptian, American, and Arab sources, has been instrumental in developing and producing over 77 different vaccines aimed at protecting livestock from various epidemic diseases.
El-Sayed noted that Mefac's factories operate through more than four production lines with a capacity that exceeds 4 billion doses annually until 2024. In plans to meet the anticipated demands for exports, the company aims to expand its output to 12 billion doses by 2025-2026, targeting markets in over 40 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. This ambitious plan places Egypt at the forefront as a center for veterinary vaccine production in the region.
"We have successfully registered and sold our vaccines to numerous countries, setting ourselves as a leader in veterinary vaccine exports from Egypt," El-Sayed emphasized. The company is expected to reach more than 60 countries by the end of the current year, indicating its rapidly growing influence in the veterinary pharmaceutical market.
As part of its expansion strategy, Mefac will soon open a new factory in the Salhia area, collaborating with various local and international stakeholders to extend its reach. This initiative is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, further bolstering economic growth within the sector.
El-Quseir concluded the meeting by instructing the preparation of a cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the Institute of Research on Serums and Vaccines, and Mefac. He also emphasized increasing the company’s export share to Africa as part of Egypt's broader strategy to enhance cooperation with fellow African countries in veterinary vaccine production.
The discussions highlighted the key role that innovations in veterinary vaccine production play in safeguarding livestock, poultry, and fish sectors against diseases and epidemics, underscoring the significant investment being made into healthcare within Egypt’s agricultural landscape. With such efforts, Egypt aims not only to fulfill domestic needs but also to become a major player in the global veterinary vaccine market.
The commitment shown by the Ministry of Agriculture and Mefac reflects Egypt’s proactive approach to enhancing the quality and availability of veterinary medicines while fostering economic resilience through innovation and technology transfer.
