President El-Sisi Follows-up on Food Security System

alhadath – cairo

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Dr. Sherif Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Mr. Alaa El-Din Farouk, and the Executive Director of the Future of Egypt Authority for Sustainable Development, Colonel Dr. Bahaa El-Ghannam.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the meeting addressed the food security system, including the production and distribution of strategic goods to ensure a secure reserve for reassuring periods. This contributes to market stability and price stabilization, particularly in light of the regional developments that have negatively impacted supply and financing chains. In this regard, the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade noted that stocks of essential goods, including wheat, rice, sugar, oil, pasta, and meat, are at very reassuring levels. This helps mitigate the repercussions of the current crisis and its effects on global supply chains, ensuring the continued availability of these goods. The meeting also addressed developments related to subsidized bread, the status of bakeries in Egypt, updates on the ration card system, and follow-up on the performance of the National Food Safety Authority, which is responsible for ensuring the quality of food products offered in the markets. The Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation reviewed preparations for the new season of local wheat procurement and explained that the target is to achieve approximately five million tons of wheat during the current harvest season to narrow the import gap and secure the country’s strategic needs. The meeting also discussed plans for procuring wheat from farmers. Local wheat will be received from farmers and suppliers starting April 15th through the end of the season on August 15th. The price for procuring wheat will be increased to 2,500 Egyptian pounds per ardeb, with immediate payment to farmers, thus supporting the stability of the local market. The meeting also covered progress in Egypt’s poultry industry and efforts to combat rising food prices. The Executive Director of the Future of Egypt Authority for Sustainable Development reviewed mechanisms for developing the commodities exchange and enhancing its role in regulating commodity trading. This aims to achieve price transparency, curb monopolistic practices, and contribute to market stability, as well as support small producers and farmers through organized and equitable marketing channels. The meeting also discussed several measures to achieve greater governance of the system for providing subsidized agricultural fertilizers to farmers, reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers, and encouraging the use of modern technologies in production and distribution. This will ensure tighter control, efficiency, fair distribution, and the prevention of manipulation.

President El-Sisi stressed the importance of working according to a unified vision to maximize the utilization of available resources, improve the quality of services offered to citizens, enhance market efficiency, and achieve balance between production and consumption. The President stressed the necessity for the state to utilize all market and price control mechanisms to prevent price hikes and speculation. The President also gave directives to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, attract foreign investment in the retail sector and the establishment of retail chains, expand agricultural productivity and improve crop quality, maintain and bolster strategic reserves, and continue working towards achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural, livestock, fish, and poultry products.