Egypt's Wheat Imports Fall as Domestic Output

Egypt's wheat imports declined during the 2025-26 fiscal year as higher domestic production and record government procurement helped reduce the country's reliance on foreign supplies, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said.

Farouk said Egypt imported around 12.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2025-26 fiscal year, down from 13.2 million tons a year earlier.

Domestic wheat production rose by more than 6.5% year-on-year to exceed 10 million tons, he added, reflecting efforts to boost local output and strengthen food security.

The minister said the government's wheat procurement programme had achieved its highest collection rates on record and was approaching its target of 5 million tons by the end of the current harvest season, which runs until mid-August.

Official data show the government has already purchased about 4.6 million tons of locally produced wheat since the procurement season began in mid-April, marking the largest volume ever collected from Egyptian farmers.

The figures underscore Egypt's efforts to reduce dependence on imports, a key policy objective for one of the world's largest wheat importers.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that farmers, traders and officials said Egypt was on track to achieve its goal of purchasing 5 million tons of domestic wheat this season after introducing reforms aimed at encouraging local production and improving procurement mechanisms.

The increased local harvest and record state purchases come as Egypt seeks to enhance food security and limit exposure to volatility in global grain markets.