Egypt maintains stable wheat reserves of around 4.5 million tonnes, enough to cover approximately four months of domestic consumption, according to Hussein Bodi, Head of the Mill Owners Association and Vice President of the Grain Industry Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries. The reserves consist of contracted wheat through the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), along with imported and locally produced grain.
Currently, domestic wheat production stands at about 3.5 million tonnes, while the government has contracts to import roughly 1 million tonnes. The country’s stockpile is expected to rise to around 5 million tonnes once the domestic wheat procurement season begins in mid-April and continues until mid-July 2026.
Bodi emphasized that existing reserves exceed immediate market demand, particularly as consumption typically increases during Ramadan, when demand for flour and subsidized bread rises. Approximately 24,000 tonnes of wheat are supplied daily to 154 mills employing around 30,000 workers nationwide.
A steady supply to these facilities is essential for maintaining one of the world’s largest bread subsidy programs. Egypt’s total annual wheat supply, including domestic production and imports, reaches about 9 million tonnes, ensuring a stable supply chain despite volatility in international markets.
Egypt remains the world’s largest wheat importer, with annual imports typically ranging from 10 to 12 million tonnes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Domestic production usually reaches 9–10 million tonnes, making imports crucial to meet the country’s total consumption of roughly 20 million tonnes per year.
The government has increasingly diversified its wheat procurement sources: in addition to Russia, shipments arrive from Romania, Ukraine, France, and other Black Sea and European exporters through GASC tenders. Current stock levels and incoming domestic supplies are expected to keep Egypt’s wheat supply chain stable in the coming months, reinforcing the country’s food security strategy.
