Egypt intends to purchase 5M tonnes of wheat, short grain rice in international tender in 2024

EGYPT – Egypt’s state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) plans to purchase more than 5 million tonnes (MT) of wheat in 2024 through international tenders, according to the Ministry of Supply and Domestic Trade.

This objective is an increase of 500,000 tonnes compared to imports made in 2023.

According to Nassr Nomani, the adviser to the head of the ministry, the domestic consumption of the grain crop currently exceeds 20 million tonnes per year.

At the same time, he noted, the total production is just over 9million tonnes, hence, the government and the private sector supplements the deficiency by importing 11 million tonnes.

In 2023, Egypt purchased about 4.5 million tonnes of wheat through GASC tenders, including almost 3 million tonnes from Russia, 780,000 tonnes from Romania, 360,000 tonnes from France, 270, 000 tonnes from Bulgaria and 120,000 tonnes from Ukraine.

Overall, wheat purchases reached 10.8 million tonnes in 2023, representing a 14.7% jump from 2022, according to data from traders relayed by Reuters. 

Reuters linked this rebound in imports to the overall drop in world wheat prices.

GASC seeks white rice in international tender

Meanwhile, Egypt’s GASC seeks white, wholly milled short grain rice from any origin in an international tender, on behalf of Egypt’s Holding Company for Food Industries, the GASC said on January 28.

Arrival would be from March 15-April 15.

GASC set a Feb. 10. deadline for submitting offers, valid until Feb. 17.

It also said the rice should be of a 10% breakage rate packed in 50-kilogram (110.23 lb) containers from the 2023/2024 crop.

Payment would be on a cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) basis in U.S. dollars or Egyptian pounds via 180-day and 270-day letters of credit.

GASC also said suppliers should offer a minimum quantity of 20,000 metric tons +/- 10% at the supplier’s request and that customs clearance, unloading and transportation expenses would be paid per metric ton in Egyptian pounds, including value-added tax, even for the warehouses specified by the Holding Company in Egypt.

Bids must be accompanied by an initial deposit of US$75,000, or its equivalent in Egyptian pounds if prices are submitted in the local currency, with a letter of guarantee for GASC.

The bids should also be accompanied by three samples, each weighing 2 kg, with their details, practice number and date written on them, GASC said.

The delivery should be for warehouses specified by the Egypt’s Holding Company For Food Industries.

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