Commerce Chamber: Egypt Imports 90% of its Beans Consumption

CAIRO, Nov. 1 (SEE)- Head of the Grain and Pulses Division of the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce Ahmed Al-Basha Idris said on Wednesday that Egypt imports 85 to 90% of its domestic consumption of beans.

Idris added that the prices of beans increased by 40 to 50% due to the global drought, adding that Egypt imported beans from several countries including Australia and Canada.

He noted that Australia produced only 25 % of its regular production and Canada lost 80 % of its beans crop due to drought and the high density of snow.

He explained that Egypt imports around 650 thousand tons of beans annually, consuming 2.5 million kilos on an average daily basis.

Idris stressed that prices will decline in the next harvesting season, May 2019.

He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to activate the agricultural extension within a plan to support local farmers towards achieving gradual self-sufficiency.

He pointed out that the price of local beans reached EGP 22 per kilo, up from EGP 16 last year, while the price of imported ones was EGP 9 pounds and now ranges between EGP 15-16.