Core inflation in Egypt declines to 13.1%

The Central Bank of Egypt announced, on Monday, that the annual core inflation rate declined to 13.1 percent in October, compared to 14.1 percent in September, a decrease of a full percentage point, in a development that indicates a decline in the pace of price increases according to the index used by the Central Bank to monitor basic inflationary pressures in the economy.

This decline is of particular importance as markets and investors follow the path of inflation in Egypt, as it is one of the main factors influencing monetary policy decisions, interest rate expectations, and financing costs for companies and individuals.

The decrease in the annual rate reflects a slowdown in the pace of price increases compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, but it does not necessarily mean a decline in the general level of prices, but rather indicates that the pace of their increase has become less.

• An important indicator of monetary policy

Core inflation is one of the indicators that the Central Bank of Egypt relies on to evaluate price trends. It excludes some of the more volatile components, which helps create a clearer picture of ongoing inflationary pressures.

This indicator differs from general inflation, which includes a broader range of goods and services that households consume, including components that may witness sharp changes in prices.

Hence, the decline in core inflation may carry positive signals for monetary policy makers, especially if it continues over the coming months and shows that the slowdown in price increases is not limited to a limited number of goods or temporary factors.

However, a one-month reading alone is not enough to judge the medium-term inflation trend; A more complete picture requires tracking subsequent data and comparing it to price developments in various sectors.

• Implications for companies and consumers

For the business sector, slowing inflation represents an important factor in improving financial planning capacity, especially for companies facing continuous changes in production and operating costs.

Stabilizing the pace of price increases may help reduce uncertainty related to pricing, inventory management, and budgeting, although companies' actual benefit depends on the evolution of raw material, energy, and financing costs.

As for consumers, the decline in inflation indicates a slowdown in the increase in the cost of living, but it does not mean that prices will return to their previous levels. Therefore; The purchasing power of households also remains linked to income and wage levels and the development of commodity prices.

• Keep an eye on the path of interest

The new October reading puts the inflation track once again in the focus of investors, who are monitoring the extent to which the decline in price pressures reflects the directions of the Central Bank of Egypt during the coming period.

A continued decline in inflation usually gives central banks more room to evaluate the possibility of easing monetary restrictions, but any decision on interest rates depends on a broader set of economic and financial indicators.

In conclusion, the decline in core inflation to 13.1 percent represents an encouraging sign of a slowdown in price pressures in Egypt, while the sustainability of this trend in the coming months will remain the most important factor in determining its impact on the economy, markets, and interest decisions.

Jeddah Islamic Port recorded the highest monthly container handling in its history during October 2026, at 582.9 thousand standard containers, exceeding its previous record recorded last June by 27.45 percent, coinciding with an increase in total container handling in Saudi ports by 14 percent on an annual basis.

The official spokesman for the General Ports Authority (MAWANI), Abdullah Al-Munif, said that Jeddah Islamic Port’s recording of this record level reflects the efficiency of its operational performance and logistical capabilities, and confirms its role in keeping pace with the rapid changes in global trade movement and accommodating its increasing volumes.

He added that the achievement contributes to enhancing the smooth flow of goods and supporting the continuity of supply chains.

According to the authority’s statistics, the total containers handled through Saudi ports increased to about 866.2 thousand standard containers during October, compared to about 759.8 thousand containers in the same month of 2025.

This growth was driven by an increase in imported containers by 8.53 percent, to reach about 305.6 thousand containers, compared to 281.6 thousand containers, and an increase in outgoing containers by 4.83 percent, to about 282.9 thousand containers, compared to 269.9 thousand containers.

While transshipment containers decreased by 10.54 percent, to reach about 186.4 thousand containers, compared to 208.4 thousand containers, and the number of transit containers reached about 91.3 thousand standard containers.

On the other hand, the total goods handled through Saudi ports declined by 11.7 percent, reaching 22.36 million tons during October, compared to 25.32 million tons in the same month last year. The quantities were distributed between 1.83 million tons of general cargo, 9.48 million tons of liquid bulk goods, and 4.44 million tons of solid bulk goods, while the total transit goods amounted to 34.78 thousand tons.

In terms of shipping traffic, the number of ships received by Saudi ports decreased by 9.62 percent, reaching about 1.5 thousand ships, compared to about 1.6 thousand ships during the same period last year. The number of passengers also decreased by 8.96 percent, to about 87.6 thousand passengers, compared to 96.2 thousand passengers.

The number of handling vehicles recorded a decrease of 41.46 percent, reaching about 65.5 thousand vehicles, compared to about 111.9 thousand vehicles in October of last year. On the other hand, the number of livestock received through the ports increased by 30.98 percent, reaching about 725.1 thousand heads of livestock, compared to 553.6 thousand heads during the same period in 2025.