To partially make up for wheat imports hit by Russia-Ukraine War: Egypt's gov. purchases 4.2M tons of local crop to produce subsidized bread

CAIRO – 31 August 2022: Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Moselhy stated Wednesday that the government bought since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War 4.2 million tons of locally-grown wheat in order to produce subsidized bread.

The minister stated in June that local farmers had supplied 3.92 million tons of wheat starting April, which was the beginning of the harvest season. He added that local supplies of the crop would be sufficient to fulfill the country's needs until January 2023.

The Egyptian General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) announced on June 30 that it had invited an international tender to purchase 815,000 tons of wheat that would be shipped in August, September and October 2022.

In that context, the General Authority of Red Sea Ports declared on August 21 the arrival of "Wadi al-Karnak" ship, carrying 63,000 tons of wheat, from Romania.

Minister Moselhy stated early in August that the strategic reserve of wheat was sufficient for up to 7.3 months, pointing out that since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, around 1.8 million tons of wheat of various origins have been imported.