Egypt Plans to Boost Local Wheat Purchases By 11% This Season

The Egyptian government is looking to increase its local wheat purchases by 11% this season, targeting 4 million tonnes from farmers when the harvest begins in mid-April. The country’s wheat planting season started in mid-November and runs through the end of January. Harvesting will take place from mid-April to mid-July, covering 3.1 million feddans - down from last year’s 3.2 million.

Despite the push for local wheat, Egypt still expects to import around 6 million tonnes in 2025. In 2024, wheat imports surged to a decade-high of 14.2 million tonnes, marking a 31% increase from the previous year. The government’s share of those imports rose by 30% to 6.2 million tonnes.

Total wheat consumption stood at roughly 20 million tonnes last year, with similar levels anticipated in 2025. Alongside its wheat strategy, Egypt is in talks with Saudi Arabia about restructuring the Holding Company for Food Industries (HCFI) and expanding Saudi Panda retail chains. Discussions include potential partnerships with the 38 companies under HCFI and the retail outlets it operates.