Egyptian president decides to set fixed price for unsubsidized bread

CAIRO – 15 March 2022: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi instructed the government Tuesday to set a fixed price for the unsubsidized loaf of bread putting an end to its random increase.

The president urged the government to study the cost of production per loaf, and accordingly designate the selling price. That is in tandem with charging the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade with providing the necessary flour to bakeries to inhibit the fluctuation of the cost.

The president also stressed that supply police and inspectors must ensure that the decision is implemented by merchants, according to a statement by the presidency.  

The president's instructions came during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Moselhy, Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfiq, and Chief of General Intelligence Abbas Kamel.

The purpose of the meeting was following up on securing strategic stocks of staples, particularly that the Holy Month of Ramadan is approaching.

The president directed the minister of supply to diversify the sources of such goods, and expand the size of its stocks to last for a duration of six months. In that context, the chief of state added that the government must accelerate setting the additional incentive for wheat supply per ardeb (150 kilograms) in the current agricultural season and announcing it as soon as possible.

On the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the president commanded the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and Long Live Egypt Fund to coordinate together to offer low-priced food products to consumers, and distribute free staple boxes among low-income citizens.