Egypt’s state grain buyer expects French wheat from Saturday

Egypt expects wheat shipments from France and other European countries in the coming days and weeks, the state grain buyer said, continuing efforts to bolster the country’s strategic reserves and diversify its supply sources.

Egypt, one of the world’s largest wheat importers, is adapting to growing geopolitical risks and volatility in Black Sea shipments.

The state grain buyer is working on a schedule of delayed imports covering the period from July to the end of the year as part of its strategy to ensure stable supplies and avoid volatility in the spot market, Reuters reported on Friday.

The agency, formally known as Egypt’s Future for Sustainable Development, said one vessel would arrive at the western French port of La Pallice for loading on Saturday, with two more to arrive in late June and early July, confirming some details in a Reuters report on Wednesday.

The sizes of the wheat cargoes were not confirmed. French port data on Wednesday showed that a ship bound for Egypt would load about 60,000 metric tons on Saturday.

Despite initial setbacks, the agency has moved toward direct deals, moving away from its previous reliance on local middlemen.

“Work is currently underway to expand our supplier network with new European sources that can service large-capacity vessels,” the agency said, saying it was in advanced talks with suppliers in other EU countries to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat. It did not name the countries.

The agency said all necessary import procedures, including export certification and financial documentation, would be completed by the time the French wheat is loaded onto the ships.

The agency also confirmed that vegetable oil supplies from Europe and the Black Sea region continue to arrive regularly at the port of Alexandria. The purchases are part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure food security.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said this week that Egypt’s stockpiles of strategic commodities, including wheat, cover more than six months of consumption.

The Future Egypt for Sustainable Development organization, which took over imports of the country’s key commodities in December, is gradually establishing direct links with global suppliers in an effort to streamline purchases.

Tags: Egypt, grain