Egypt has announced an ambitious plan to procure 5 million tonnes of locally produced wheat next season, as the country intensifies efforts to reduce its reliance on global imports and strengthen long-term food security.
The Ministry of Supply said on Sunday that the new procurement target forms part of a broader strategy to move Egypt away from its long-standing position as one of the world’s largest wheat importers.
The government currently imports around 10 million tonnes of wheat annually, with roughly half purchased by the state to support Egypt’s extensive bread subsidy programme, which serves nearly 70 million citizens.However, according to a Reuters report, this development indicates a significant shift in import patterns.
During the first half of this year, Egypt’s wheat imports fell by 25% compared with the same period in 2023. The government’s share of those imports declined even more sharply, dropping by more than half to 1.6 million tonnes following a restructuring of the state’s procurement process.
The change saw wheat purchasing transition from the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) to a new body, the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development.
The ministry confirmed that more than 4 million tonnes of wheat were procured during the most recent domestic harvest.
The Supply Ministry added that reserves of strategic commodities remain within safe levels and are comparable to, or higher than, last year’s levels, although, no further details were provided.
As of November 2024, Egypt’s wheat reserves covered five months of consumption, slightly below the government’s preferred six-month buffer.
In a recent report by Reuters, there was an highlighted growing tension in the international grain market after the Future of Egypt moved away from GASC’s formal tender system in favour of informal negotiations.
This shift has contributed to uncertainty among suppliers and a notable decline in Egypt’s wheat imports.
For employers, investors, and supply-chain leaders across Africa, Egypt’s push toward agricultural self-sufficiency signals a broader trend of economic realignment. Strengthening local production, reducing import dependency, and stabilising essential commodity reserves are expected to influence labour demand in agriculture, logistics, and food processing key sectors driving employment across the continent.