No increase in baby formula prices, gov’t pumps large quantities: Min.

CAIRO – 6 February 2018: Health Minister Ahmed Emad said Tuesday that there were no increases in the prices of the subsidized baby formula and that large quantities of baby milk were being pumped in 1,008 outlets across the country.

He added that a new tender to purchase baby formula is still in the making. The minister said that the government is seeking to supply the market with high quality baby formula with affordable prices.

Emad further said that all outlets are being automated so that subsidized baby formula would be bought with smart cards in a bid to prevent any leakages of the supplies of the subsidized milk.

In late January, Trade Minister Tarek Kabil unveiled plans by Poland's Polfa consortium to set up a complex for baby formula production in 10 of Ramadan city at investments of LE 600 million at the first stage.

The project will be financed through the Polish Development Bank, according to a statement by the ministry.

The second stage of the project will include the manufacturing of dairy products like cheese and butter, with total investments of LE 1.5 billion for the first and second stages.

Production is likely to start by the end of the year. The project will help secure the local market's needs of baby formula with the possibility of exporting part of the output to some Arab and African countries.