Wheat imports to Egypt this season will increase to 12 million tons – FAS USDA

The Foreign Agricultural Service of the USDA (FAS USDA) forecasts that this season wheat imports to Egypt will increase to 12 mln tonnes, up 6.9% compared to the 2022/2023 MY.

The increase in imports will be caused by the decline in domestic production of the crop. The area under wheat was reduced to 1.35 mln hectares (1.45 mln hectares in 2022/2023 season) in favor of Alexandrian clover and sugar beet. As a result, the gross wheat harvest decreased to 8.87 mln tonnes, down 6.6% from the previous season.

Domestic consumption of wheat this season will amount to 20.6 million tons.

Egypt is the world’s largest importer of wheat, accounting for 16% of global imports. About half of the wheat imported into the country is purchased by the State Agency of Egypt GASC. The rest is imported by the private sector.

In the season 2023/2024, GASC is expected to purchase 5-5.5 mln tons of wheat abroad, which is lower than last season (5.8 mln tons).

By the end of the season, the wheat stocks will decrease to 4 mln tonnes, down 11.5% compared to 2022/2023.

FAS USDA also forecasts the growth of corn imports: by 8% to 6.5 mln tonnes.

The gross corn harvest in Egypt decreased by 3.2% to 7.2 mln tonnes, despite the increase in the planted area from 930 thsd ha to 950 thsd ha. Corn yields were lower than a year ago due to heat stress and insect damage.

The growth of corn imports will be affected by the expected increase in demand for feed. Domestic consumption of corn in 2023/2024 season will increase by 2.2% to 13.8 mln tonnes.

The ending stocks will decrease to 23.9 mln tonnes, down 6.7% compared to 2022/2023 season.

Tags: wheat, imports, Egypt, corn