Egypt’s wheat imports projected to rise to 12.7 MMT in 2025/26

 Egypt’s wheat imports for the marketing year (MY) 2025/26 are forecasted at 12.7 million metric tons (MMT), up 1.6 percent from last year, driven by steady consumption growth resulting from sustained population growth, according to the latest USDA Grain and Feed Update released September 22.

With a population now exceeding 108 million and projected to reach 124 million by 2030, Egypt remains the world’s top wheat importer.

The FAS anticipates a modest expansion in Egypt’s wheat harvest to 9.2 MMT for MY 2025/26, compared to 9 MMT in the preceding season. This projection reflects the influence of elevated government procurement prices, which have encouraged farmers to augment wheat cultivation and direct sales to state entities.

Authorities are offering guaranteed farmgate prices ranging from US$277 to US$290 per ton, a measure that has already helped secure nearly 4 MMT of locally produced wheat this year. However, domestic output accounts for only 50% to 55% of national wheat needs, which is compounded by the demands of an extensive subsidy program that provides affordable bread to the majority of the population.

Consumption is expected to reach 20.3 MMT, up from 20 MMT in MY 2024/25, largely due to food, seed, and industrial demand.