Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture has secured more than one million tons of subsidized fertilizers for the summer season, amid regional challenges, including the repercussions of the Israeli-Iranian conflict, the Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, affirmed.
The summer season runs from April 15 to September 30, with the ministry targeting a total of 1.2 million tons, which are being distributed gradually under a carefully monitored system. Fertilizers are provided at a subsidized and fixed price of 4,500 EGP per ton, with only minimal transport fees allowed.
Dr. Farouk emphasized that the distribution mechanism has been completely restructured to prioritize small farmers owning up to 25 feddans, with close oversight through agricultural associations across all governorates.
Acknowledging the existence of a black market, the minister attributed it to dual pricing and certain improper practices, such as landowners renting out plots without transferring ownership documents to the farmers. This deprives farmers of subsidized fertilizers, pushing some to buy from the black market, where a sack sells for around 1,300 EGP instead of the subsidized 250–300 EGP. He also noted limited discrepancies in agricultural records at some associations, which are being addressed firmly.
To tackle these issues, the ministry has intensified strict monitoring in cooperation with the Ministry of Supply, deploying inspection committees across more than 6,200 agricultural associations nationwide.
Dr. Farouk highlighted that these efforts will continue until the distribution system is fully stabilized, with over 80% of the targeted fertilizers already distributed, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring the availability of essential agricultural inputs.
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