Egypt’s wheat harvest strengthens food security as local supply rises
Higher wheat procurement, better storage, and improved farming methods are helping Egypt reduce pressure from imports and global market shocks.
EGYPT – Egypt has recorded a strong rise in local wheat procurement this season, marking a step forward in the country’s efforts to improve food security and reduce its reliance on imports.
The Ministry of Supply says wheat deliveries have exceeded 4.3 million metric tons, reaching 86% of the government’s target. The figure stands above the 3.93 million metric tons procured during the same period in 2025, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture.
For years, Egypt relied heavily on imported wheat, leaving the country exposed to supply disruptions and price swings in global markets. The latest increase reflects government support for farmers, wider wheat cultivation, and the use of better farming methods.
Wael Bakry, founder and CEO of Techno Valley Company, said government incentives played an important role in the higher deliveries.
“The announcement of a relatively attractive procurement price ahead of the planting season, coupled with clearer collection mechanisms, has improved farmers’ confidence in wheat as a viable crop,” he said.
Bakry noted that farmers in the Nile Delta and newly reclaimed areas either maintained or slightly increased wheat acreage. He added that certified seed varieties, improved irrigation systems, precision farming, and mechanized operations have helped raise yields and reduce losses.
“Modern farming technologies and mechanization are becoming increasingly critical to improving productivity per feddan, rather than relying solely on expanding cultivated areas,” he said.
Egypt consumes between 20 million and 20.4 million metric tons of wheat each year, with local production meeting about half of national demand, according to Ahmed Mekawy, Executive Director of the Egyptian Milling Technology Center.
Mekawy said storage and milling systems remain critical in turning higher production into available food supplies.
“Without robust milling and post-harvest systems, even higher wheat production would be undermined by significant leakage before reaching consumers,” he said.
He pointed to the National Silo Project, which increased storage capacity from 1.2 million metric tons in 2014 to 3.6 million metric tons by 2023. The expansion has helped cut spoilage caused by pests and moisture.
Egypt’s wheat import bill has historically exceeded US$3 billion annually. Mekawy said lower post-harvest losses and higher local production could reduce imports and ease pressure on foreign currency reserves.
“Every ton of wheat we save from post-harvest loss or produce locally is a double gain: less strain on foreign reserves and less imported inflation,” he said.
Despite the gains, Bakry expects Egypt to remain a net wheat importer in the near term because of strong domestic demand. However, he said continued growth in production could support exports of flour, pasta, and other processed food products while helping maintain the country’s bread subsidy system and food supply stability.
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