Egypt to boost wheat storage capacity with 50 new silos
Once completed, Egypt’s total grain reserves will exceed 6 million tons, marking a major step toward stabilizing its supply chain for key staples.
EGYPT – Egypt has unveiled an ambitious national silo project to boost its grain storage capacity and strengthen food security, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced during the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty meeting in Doha.
The initiative seeks to expand the country’s wheat and grain reserves to safeguard domestic needs amid global market uncertainties.
The project involves constructing about 50 new silos across 17 governorates, adding an additional 1.5 million tons of storage capacity. Once completed, Egypt’s total grain reserves will exceed 6 million tons, marking a major step toward stabilizing its supply chain for key staples.
The new silo network aims to modernize Egypt’s grain handling infrastructure, reducing post-harvest losses and improving logistical efficiency. The effort aligns with ongoing national strategies to enhance agricultural resilience, particularly in light of fluctuating international grain prices and trade disruptions.
Egypt remains one of the world’s largest wheat importers, relying heavily on foreign supplies to complement its domestic harvest.
The grain is vital for producing subsidized bread consumed daily by tens of millions of Egyptians.
The ongoing investments in storage and supply chain infrastructure underscore Cairo’s commitment to ensuring stable food availability and mitigating external shocks to its grain supply.
In parallel, Egypt is deepening its collaboration with international partners. In partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), the government has launched the Luxor Coordination Center to promote innovation, resilience, and knowledge dissemination in Upper Egypt.
Furthermore, discussions are underway with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to establish a global grain storage center in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), a move expected to position Egypt as a key regional hub for grain logistics and management.
The renewed focus on storage infrastructure comes as Egypt continues to navigate challenges in wheat imports.
The announcement coincides with recent progress in resolving wheat import delays that had disrupted port operations.
Recently, it was reported that several shipments, around eight vessels carrying approximately 200,000 metric tons of wheat, had been held at Egyptian ports since early October due to payment verification issues.
According to the state grain buyer, Mostakbal Misr, the matter has now been settled, and unloading has resumed.
“The payment problems for a number of wheat cargoes delayed in Egyptian ports have been swiftly settled.“As of Wednesday evening, the matter has been resolved, and ships are already offloading gradually now.” Mostakbal Misr said.
The delays had resulted from new Central Bank regulations tightening verification procedures for letters of credit and import documentation.
“While Mostakbal Misr was not involved in the delay, we acted swiftly together with the central bank and the suppliers to ensure the matter is resolved quickly,” the agency added.
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