Egypt increases wheat production to 11 mln tons in 2026

Egypt’s wheat production reached 11 mln tons in 2026, supported by an expansion in planted area and higher yields. According to Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk, the area planted with wheat increased to 3.7 mln feddans, equivalent to approximately 1.55 mln hectares. Average wheat yields reached 20 ardebs per feddan, or around 7.1 tons/hectare. Increasing domestic production remains a key priority of the country’s agricultural policy, as Egypt continues to rely heavily on grain imports.

To encourage wheat cultivation, the Egyptian government raised the state procurement price to EGP 2,500 per ardeb in 2026, equivalent to approximately EGP 16,700/ton. Higher procurement prices are intended to provide farmers with additional economic incentives to expand planted areas and increase production of this strategically important crop.

The use of improved crop varieties remains one of the key approaches to increasing yields. According to the minister, Egyptian researchers have developed 77 new varieties of field crops and 51 vegetable varieties. Advances in plant breeding and the adoption of modern cultivation technologies are seen as important tools for boosting food production amid limited land and water resources.

Egypt’s total agricultural land area increased to 10.5 mln feddans, or approximately 4.41 mln hectares. Meanwhile, the total cropped area, including multiple harvests within a year, reached 17.5 mln feddans, equivalent to around 7.35 mln hectares. The government continues to implement programs aimed at expanding cultivated land and improving agricultural productivity, including efforts to increase grain production.

Tags: Egypt, wheat