Egypt is hoping that a new plan to rely on its own wheat reserves and local production will be enough to cover domestic consumption of the vital grain until 2023.
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Facing difficulties in importing wheat because of the ongoing Russian operation in Ukraine - the two countries are the largest sources of wheat for Egypt - the government now has to increase dependence on local wheat.
To achieve that goal, Egypt’s plan for self-sufficiency in 2022 is twofold. Firstly, the government has offered incentives to local wheat producers to encourage them to sell their produce to the government instead of the private sector.
Secondly, the minister of supply has issued a decision that regulates the sale of wheat by farmers, with a requirement to sell a certain amount to government-affiliated buyers. Those who do not comply could be punished by up to five years in jail.
It added that in the event of selling any quantities of wheat to the private sector prior to the decision, buyers must deliver the quantities specified in this decision to the authorities with the same terms and conditions that apply to the crop owners.
The decision prohibited the sale of the remainder of wheat resulting from the 2022 harvest season to private entities without a permit from the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade. The permit must include approval of the quantities and purpose of the purchase, as well as approval on storage places.
The head of the Farmers’ Syndicate, Hussein Abu Saddam, said that the new wheat import prices are very satisfactory and are considered equal to international prices, and a good omen for farmers.
Abu Saddam added: I commend the efforts of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to block the road to all stalkers, and the price of wheat is a great gain for wheat farmers, and this is the first time in history that the price of wheat has reached this price.
He continued: I do not want anyone to follow malicious rumors coming from abroad, and there were many stalkers who wanted to buy wheat, but this season will be prosperous and there will be more wheat supply than ever before, because farmers knew the price of wheat before planting. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.