Egypt has begun closing several local wheat collection sites ahead of schedule, indicating that the harvest is nearing completion and that purchases are falling short of the government’s target.
The shortage occurs as Egypt, which frequently imports the most wheat globally, looks for reasonably priced supplies for a massive bread subsidy program that feeds about 70 million people in the face of persistent economic hardship and high inflation.
From a local harvest projected to be over 10 million tonnes, the government had sought to purchase 4 to 5 million metric tonnes of wheat. Officially, the season began in mid-April and ends in mid-August.
But according to a second, independent government document examined by Reuters, as of Saturday, June 28, just over 3.9 million tonnes had been gathered.
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According to the first document, the supply ministry has begun to progressively close a few collection stations nationwide in recent days, citing low numbers being given by farmers.
Centres that are still operational will also close if they do not receive wheat for three to five days in a row, the document stated, according to government papers.
A request for comment was not immediately answered by the Supply Ministry.
About 5 million tonnes of imports are usually added to Egypt’s domestic harvest each year to support its strategic reserves and subsidised bread scheme.
However, officials stated this week that import quantities in the first half of 2025 have also fallen short of those of the prior year.
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Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly declared that Egypt has strategic stocks of wheat and other commodities that would last for more than six months.
