Egypt purchased almost 4 mln tons of wheat on the domestic market

Egypt, often the world’s largest wheat importer, purchased nearly 4 million tonnes of wheat during the recently concluded 2025 local harvest, Ahmad Idam, head of the services sector at Egypt’s agriculture ministry, told Reuters on Monday, Aug. 18. That’s more than half a million tonnes more than last year’s purchases of 3.43 million tonnes.

Egypt’s government had aimed to buy 4 million to 5 million tonnes of wheat from a local harvest estimated at around 10 million tonnes. The harvesting season began in mid-April and runs until mid-August. The increase in purchases reflects the country’s efforts to ensure the stability of its food reserves.

Egypt imports around 5 million tonnes of wheat annually to supplement its local harvest to support its strategic reserves and subsidized grain system. This strategy ensures food security for the country’s population, which is largely dependent on available grain. This year’s purchases are part of the government’s broader policy to strengthen food reserves.

The increase in local wheat purchases could partially offset the need for imports, although Egypt remains dependent on external supplies. According to Ahmad Idam, the successful completion of the local procurement season is an important step to ensure stability in the domestic market. The government is expected to continue monitoring global grain markets to plan further import operations.

Tags: Egypt, wheat