EGYPT – Egypt is projected to produce more wheat in 2024-25, with estimates suggesting a total output of 9.2 million tonnes.
According to a recent report by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), this marks an increase from the 8.87 million tonnes produced in the previous year.
The growth is attributed to the Egyptian government’s efforts to encourage a larger wheat planting area and implement strategies for higher yields.
Key to this expansion is the government’s attractive procurement prices, which have driven more farmers to plant wheat. Additionally, increased incentives have led to higher domestic production, crucial for a country that relies heavily on wheat imports to meet its local demand.
However, Egypt remains one of the world’s largest wheat importers, with estimated imports reaching 12.5 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season.
While this figure is 11.4% higher than earlier estimates, it remains on par with the previous season’s import levels.
Recently, data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) revealed that the total value of wheat imports in Egypt rose by US$2.324 billion in the first half of 2024.
The rise is US$539 million compared to the US$1.785 billion recorded during the same period in 2023.
According to CAPMAS, this represents a 30% rise, underscoring the country’s increasing reliance on imported wheat to meet domestic demands.
The continued demand for imported wheat is fueled by Egypt’s robust milling industry and the need to secure supplies amid regional instability.
Data indicate that the country has seen remarkable growth in its wheat flour exports, especially to African and Middle Eastern markets.
From January to May 2024, wheat flour exports surged by 250% compared to the same period in 2023, with key destinations including Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti, Syria, and the West Bank and Gaza.
The expansion of Egypt’s milling capacity has allowed the country to become a crucial supplier of wheat flour to these nations, addressing the food security needs of various conflict-ridden regions.
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