Food subsidies increase activated for July

CAIRO – 1 July 2017: The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade distributed an increased volume of subsidized goods to retailers starting Saturday for the month of July. After food subsidies have increased, the value of basic goods supplied by the Holding Company for Food Industries will be LE 3.5 billion ($192,897) monthly.

The amounts of subsidized sugar and food oil distributed will be 110,000 to 140,000 tons, and 70 to 105 million packages respectively. This is in addition to other basic goods which will also increase such as rice, pasta, beans, ghee, lentil, tuna, tea, tomato paste, cheese and jam.

Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Mohamed Ali El-Shiekh stated that the company issuing the food subsidy smart cards has been informed to modify the value of subsidies following the recent increase from LE 21 ($1.16) to LE 50 ($2.76) monthly for each individual enrolled in the program.

El-Shiekh added that suppliers have been ordered to increase the amounts of sugar and oil delivered by 200 percent and 150 percent respectively.