Egypt cuts gas to fertilizer makers by 33%, up from 20% a week ago

What happened. In a November 8 letter to the Egyptian Exchange, MOPCO said it was notified of a 33% reduction in natural gas supplies. It said it manages production within the available gas to keep the business running, and will disclose material news. Egypt Oil & Gas says the cut was 20% a week earlier.

Why Egypt is cutting. Reuters reports that local gas output cannot keep up with demand, so Egypt imports more LNG for power plants. The global LNG market is tight and prices are higher. The ministry budgeted about $10.1 billion for LNG in the 2026/27 financial year and had spent $5.8 billion by October 6, an analyst told Reuters. Egypt is also buying cheaper fuel oil: six cargoes for November and December, traders said.

What the plants say. When the first cut came, MOPCO and Abu Qir Fertilizers said they would run output in line with the gas available. Abu Qir said it had backup plans for stocks and for moving maintenance. The Petroleum Ministry did not reply to Reuters right away.

Who it touches. MOPCO runs three plants in the Damietta free zone with about 2 million tons of urea capacity a year. If the cut lasts, less Egyptian urea may reach the market. This is our view: the companies gave no exact figure for lost output.

Confirmed facts

• On November 8, 2026, MOPCO told the Egyptian Exchange it was notified of a 33% reduction in natural gas supplies.^[1]
• MOPCO says it manages production within the available gas to keep the business running.^[1][2]
• A week earlier, Egyptian fertilizer plants had their gas supply cut by 20%.^[2][3]
• Reuters says Egypt is cutting gas to curb costly LNG imports, as local output lags demand.^[3]
• About $10.1 billion was budgeted for LNG in 2026/27, and $5.8 billion was spent by October 6, an analyst said.^[3]
• MOPCO has about 2 million tons a year of urea capacity across three plants in Damietta.^[2]

Implications

• ConfirmedGas supply to Egyptian fertilizer plants has been cut by 33%.
• Our readingEgypt will likely produce and export less urea while the cut lasts. This is our view.
• Our readingIf gas is not restored, it could support global nitrogen fertilizer prices. This is our view.

Still unknown

• How much fertilizer output has actually fallen
• How long the cut will last
• Whether the new cut covers every plant or only some

Who it affects

Egypt, Middle East. People tracking fertilizer, food and gas prices, and investors in Egyptian stocks

Sources

1. Egyptian Exchange (MOPCO filing): Misr Fertilizers Production Company: disclosure on natural gas supply reduction November 8, 2026 · official
2. Egypt Oil & Gas: MOPCO: Gas Supply Cut Increases to 33% November 8, 2026 · media
3. Reuters (via gCaptain): Egypt Deepens Gas Cuts To Fertilizer Makers As Energy Squeeze Tightens November 8, 2026 · media