To mend sugar crisis: 3 refineries to begin operation on January 5

CAIRO – 26 December 2023: Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali al-Moselhy told press Tuesday that three sugar refineries - processing sugar cane - would begin operation on January 5 to boost supply and overcome the shortage crisis.

Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) Ibrahim El Segeny revealed last week that the recent price hikes of sugar and its shortage in the market was a scheme. 

Segeny underscored that Egypt produces 85 percent of its production and that the five largest refineries are state-owned, pointing out that the staple good was being hidden and that large quantities were confiscated.

The CPA chairman pointed out that the market price of the sugar used to be LE27 per one kilogram. Yet, the price jumped to LE40-50 due to such practices. Hence, he encouraged consumers to report any unusual prices of sugar.