EGYPT – Egypt has received more than 4.3 million tonnes of locally produced wheat during the current harvest season, reaching 86% of its procurement target as government support measures continue to encourage farmer participation.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the country is moving steadily toward its goal of collecting 5 million tonnes of local wheat this season. Officials linked the strong performance to financial incentives, wider collection networks, and faster payments to farmers.
Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk said the increase in wheat deliveries reflects government efforts to support producers and strengthen strategic grain reserves.
“Wheat remains a top priority for the state as a key component of national food security and a critical input for several food industries, particularly bread production,” Farouk said.
The minister reported that wheat cultivation reached a record 3.7 million feddans this year, an increase of 600,000 feddans compared with the previous season. He added that strong supply rates and growing farmer participation have helped drive procurement volumes higher.
Farouk also credited President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s decision to raise the procurement price to EGP 2,500 per ardeb (about US$50) for encouraging farmers to supply more wheat to government collection centres.
To support the harvest season, the Ministries of Agriculture and Supply established more than 400 collection and receiving points across the country. The ministry said these centres reduce transport distances for farmers and help speed up deliveries. Authorities are also issuing payments within 48 hours of wheat delivery.
Procurement operations continue at silos, storage facilities, and collection centres nationwide. Joint committees oversee inspection, sorting, and cleaning activities, while a central operations room and provincial monitoring units track progress and address issues reported by farmers.
The latest figures come as Egypt expects another strong wheat season in 2026/27. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture projects wheat production will rise by 6.5% year on year to 9.8 million tonnes. The increase reflects expanded planting areas and higher state purchase prices that have encouraged farmers to grow more wheat.
Government officials have also expanded access to certified seeds, strengthened extension services, and increased storage capacity through new and upgraded silos. As local production grows, wheat imports could decline to about 12.5 million tonnes, signalling a greater contribution from domestic supply.
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