Egypt winds down wheat collection as purchases fall short of target, documents show

By Reuters

Egypt has begun shutting down some local wheat collection centres ahead of schedule, signalling that the harvest is nearing its end with purchases falling short of the government’s target, according to a supply ministry document seen by Reuters.

The shortfall comes as Egypt, often the world’s largest wheat importer, seeks to secure affordable supplies for a vast subsidised bread programme that feeds nearly 70 million people, amid high inflation and ongoing economic strains.

The government had aimed to procure between 4 and 5 million metric tons of wheat from a local harvest it estimated at around 10 million tons. The season, which started mid-April, officially runs through mid-August.

However, as of Saturday, June 28, just over 3.9 million tons had been collected, according to a second, separate official document reviewed by Reuters.

In recent days, the supply ministry has started gradually closing some collection points across the country, citing low volumes being delivered by farmers, according to the first document.

Centres that remain open will also be closed if they don’t receive wheat for 3-5 consecutive days, according to official documents, the document said.

The Supply Ministry didn’t immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Egypt typically supplements its domestic harvest with about 5 million tons of imports annually to support its strategic reserves and subsidised bread system.

But import volumes in the first half of 2025 have also lagged behind those of the previous year, officials said last week.

Egypt has strategic reserves of wheat and other commodities sufficient for more than six months, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said earlier this month.

Reporting by Mohamed Ezz; Editing by Aidan Lewis