Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a concerted effort to reinforce its strategic grain reserves, Egypt imported approximately 680,000 tons of wheat in July 2025. The data sheds light on the country’s ongoing efforts to secure food supplies amid global market fluctuations and shifting procurement strategies.
Ukraine emerged as Egypt’s top wheat supplier during the month, exporting 288,000 tons, followed by Russia with 203,000 tons. Romania came in third with 144,000 tons, while France and Canada followed, exporting 128,000 tons and 20,000 tons respectively.
Global wheat prices saw a notable decline in July, driven by favorable weather conditions in the United States and Europe, which accelerated the harvest season. Additionally, weaker demand for American and European exports contributed to the price drop. In the Black Sea region, despite logistical challenges in Russia, wheat export prices to Egypt remained relatively stable, ranging from $235 to $244 per ton, with some contracts closing at around $234.
The increased imports in July come after a significant reduction earlier this year. During the first half of 2025, Egypt cut its wheat imports by nearly 25% year-on-year, totaling 5.2 million tons compared to 6.8 million tons in the same period of 2024.
At the same time, the government ramped up domestic procurement efforts. Since April 15, government purchases of locally grown wheat increased by 18% year-on-year, reaching 4 million tons. Egypt aims to collect 4.5 million tons of domestic wheat by the end of the current procurement season, which concludes on August 15.
Despite a temporary decline in imports, last year saw Egypt’s wheat imports reach a 10-year high, hitting 14.2 million tons—an increase of 31%. This underscores the nation’s continued reliance on international markets, even as it strengthens domestic agricultural initiatives.
Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, typically purchases up to 12 million tons annually for both public and private sectors. Key suppliers include Russia, Ukraine, Romania, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Moldova, according to previous government data.
Looking ahead, the Egyptian government has set a target to achieve 53% self-sufficiency in wheat by the 2026–2027 agricultural year. To support this goal, Egypt is expanding its grain storage infrastructure and mobilizing concessional financing from development partners. The country is also pushing forward with its national vegetable seed production program to reduce dependency on imported seeds.
Wheat planting in Egypt begins in mid-November and extends through the end of January, with harvesting taking place from mid-April to mid-June. In the last planting season, Egypt cultivated around 3.25 million feddans (roughly 1.36 million hectares) of wheat—an increase of 50,000 feddans over the previous year.
In a notable policy shift, the government transferred responsibility for wheat procurement from the General Authority for Supply Commodities to the state-run Future of Egypt Authority at the end of last year, marking a structural change in how the country manages its grain supply chain.
As Egypt navigates the balance between import reliance and domestic production, its evolving procurement strategy highlights the country’s broader efforts to bolster food security amid a volatile global agricultural landscape.
