Egypt aims to produce 70% of wheat locally by 2030

Egypt succeeded in increasing the land cultivated with wheat to 3,650,000 feddans in 2023, with an annual increase of 250,000 feddans, according to the Director of the Field Crops Research Institute and Head of the National Campaign to Preserve Wheat, Reda Mohamed.

Mohamed noted that this comes within the framework of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s interest in expanding the cultivation of strategic crops, especially wheat.

“It is targeted this year to reach about 4 million feddans with a total productivity of 12 million tons, which achieves 55% of consumption locally,” Reda said in televised statements, provided that production is gradually increased to reach 65-70% of our needs by 2030.

According to Mohamed, this is done through the expansion of land reclamation through the giant national projects in eastern Owainat, Toshka and the future of Egypt, in addition to maximizing productivity by developing new seed varieties capable of adapting to modern irrigation methods and climatic conditions, and increasing the number of pilot fields to 7000 fields in all villages to educate farmers about proper agricultural practices.

Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali el Moselhi said on Monday that Egypt’s strategic wheat reserve is sufficient for 4.6 months, adding that local wheat supplies will start in mid April with a target of 4 million tons.

Egypt had bought 240,000 tons of Russian wheat in an international tender and is due to arrive in Egypt in the period between April 1 and 15, announced the Egyptian General Authority for Supply Commodities.

The purchase was funded by the World Bank, the authority added, noting that the price was made at $317.50 per ton, including cost and freight, Al Arabiya net reported on Thursday.

The shipment is due to arrive in Egypt during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset worldwide, as the government is working on securing basic commodities for the people.