Egypt shifts wheat imports toward France and Europe as supplies from Russia, Ukraine face disruption

Egypt is broadening the range of countries it buys wheat from, leaning more heavily on France and other European suppliers as shipments from Russia and Ukraine face disruption, Supply Minister Sherif Farouk has said.

His remarks were carried by television host Ahmed Moussa and subsequently confirmed by a ministry spokesperson.

Under the shift, Cairo has stepped up engagement with Bulgaria and Romania while giving greater weight to France, which is emerging as a key supply partner. A 50,000-metric-ton wheat cargo from France is already on its way to Egypt, and further shipments from the country are expected to continue.

Farouk said Egypt's strategic wheat reserves cover more than six months of consumption.

The Supply Ministry is also in talks with the state grain buyer, the Future of Egypt Authority, and the Finance Ministry about buying additional wheat as a hedge against possible future price rises. The intention is to make further purchases once global wheat prices ease slightly.

Egypt ranks among the world's largest wheat importers, and the grain feeds a subsidised bread programme that supports food security for tens of millions of people. Cairo has been working to diversify its import sources and cut its heavy reliance on Russian and Ukrainian wheat, supplies of which have been disrupted in recent weeks.