Egypt remains the world’s largest wheat importer despite efforts to boost domestic production

Egypt continues to hold its position as the world’s largest wheat importer despite ongoing government efforts to increase domestic grain production. According to USDA forecasts, the country is expected to import around 12.5 million tons of wheat during the MY 2026/27.

The Egyptian government aims to raise local wheat production to 9.8 million tons, up 6.5% from the previous year. To encourage farmers, authorities increased the state procurement price to 16,500 Egyptian pounds per ton and hope to purchase around 5 million tons of locally grown wheat for the subsidized bread program.

However, market experts note that Egypt’s dependence on imports is likely to remain high even if domestic production rises. Rapid population growth and strong demand for wheat products continue to outpace local supply capacity. In addition, private sector buyers still prefer cheaper imported wheat from Russia and Ukraine.

According to trade data, Egypt imported 4.4 million tons of wheat between January and March 2026, significantly higher than during the same period last year. Overall wheat imports reached approximately 13.3 million tons in 2025, highlighting the country’s continued reliance on international markets.

Analysts expect Egyptian private importers to return to the market soon to secure wheat shipments for the summer period, while state buyers continue building strategic reserves to support domestic consumption and maintain food market stability.

Tags: Egypt, wheat, imports, crop forecast