Egypt sets April start for wheat harvest as output target rises
The government plans to secure up to 5 million tonnes from local farmers to support bread supply.
EGYPT – Egypt will begin its wheat harvest in mid April, with officials aiming to raise local supply and reduce pressure on imports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation confirmed that farmers will start harvesting in Upper Egypt, where warmer weather speeds up crop growth. Areas such as Aswan, Luxor, and Qena will lead the exercise before it spreads to the Nile Delta and other parts of Lower Egypt.
Officials expect the harvest to move in phases across the country. Some newly reclaimed farming zones may continue harvesting until mid August. The government targets between 4.5 and 5 million tonnes of wheat from local farmers this season.
Expanded planting has supported this goal. Farmers planted more than 3.7 million feddans, which exceeded earlier plans. Authorities hope this will help secure enough grain for the country’s subsidized bread program, which serves millions of people daily.
An official familiar with the plan said, “We want to make sure we collect as much local wheat as possible to support national food supply.”
To encourage farmers to sell to the state, the government raised the procurement price to 2,350 Egyptian pounds per ardeb, which is about US$47. This price applies to wheat with a purity grade of 23.5.
Officials say the increase reflects global price trends and aims to protect farmer earnings. “The new price gives farmers a fair return and keeps local wheat competitive,” said an agriculture official.
Experts also note that farmers used certified seeds and followed proper farming practices this season. These steps helped crops withstand weather changes and maintain stable output.
Egypt’s efforts to raise local supply come at a time when global demand remains high. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects Egypt and Indonesia to import about 13 million tonnes each in the 2025 to 2026 season.
This demand places both countries among the world’s top wheat importers. Analysts warn that strong buying from these markets could affect global prices and trade flows.
Egypt remains Africa’s largest wheat consumer, driven by population growth and steady demand for subsidized bread. Officials continue to balance local production with imports to meet this need.
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