In a statement to the press, the center said it contacted the Agriculture Ministry, which described these reports as groundless.

All wheat shipments coming to Egypt are being examined by the Central Administration of Agricultural Quarantine amid very strict precautionary measures imposed by the country due to the coronavirus epidemic, the center added.

Egypt is already stocking 3.5 million tons of locally cultivated wheat from this season’s harvest and will be importing another 800,000 tons to ensure that its citizens' needs of the strategic staple are totally covered, according to the ministry.

The ministry urged media outlets and social media users to verify any reports they receive by contacting the concerned official sources, the center said.