Egypt, AFD, and EU Sign Agreement to Enhance Food Security

On the occasion of the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, an agreement was signed under which a grant was provided to build new wheat silos in Egypt. 

The initiative is funded through a grant estimated at €60 million and implemented by the French Development Agency and the Egyptian Ministry of Supply, aims to enhance Egypt's food security.

Egyptian import shipments, amounting to approximately 12 million tons annually, are essential to the country's wheat supply and to Egyptian food security; as wheat represents between 35%-39% of average calorie consumption per capita.

In order to confront the disruptions resulting from external shocks related to Egypt’s wheat supplies, the EU mobilized urgent facilities amounting to €100 million euros, part of which was allocated to the wheat silos project.

This project, implemented by the Egyptian Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade (MOSIT) and the Holding Company for Silos and Storage, aims to increase wheat storage capacity by 420,000 tons distributed in six different areas, representing an increase of approximately 15% of the current storage capacity at the national level.

This project will also allow to reduce grain losses, improve storage conditions, and enhance Egypt's resilience in the face of external, climatic or economic fluctuations.

The French delegation that attended the conference included his Excellency the Ambassador of France to Egypt Éric Chevallier, and the Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) Cécile Couprie, along with several French businessmen.

On this occasion, the French Ambassador emphasized that this project is a concrete example of cooperation between the EU and Egypt. "By increasing the wheat storage capacity, we are strengthening not only the country’s food security but also supporting Egypt’s economic resilience.”

On her part, Al-Mashat stated: “Food security is not only important at the local level but also at the global level. The Egyptian government is committed to enhancing food security; as Egypt aims to increase resilience and improve the efficiency and quality of the local wheat supply value chain through partnerships.