Al-Sisi reviews Egypt's food security, strategic commodity reserves

Daily News Egypt

4 days ago

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with key government officials to review Egypt's food security strategy and assess the status of the country's strategic commodity reserves, according to a presidential statement.
The meeting included Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Supply Sherif Farouk, Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk, and the Executive Director of the 'Future of Egypt' Development Authority.
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy confirmed that Egypt's strategic reserves of essential goods—including wheat, sugar, vegetable oils, meat, and poultry—remain stable and sufficient.
Discussions highlighted recent procurement agreements, including the purchase of 3.4 million tonnes of wheat, 192,000 tonnes of crude vegetable oils, 4,000 tonnes of frozen poultry, and 6,000 tonnes of frozen meat. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to diversifying import sources to mitigate risks from global supply disruptions.
President Al-Sisi stressed the importance of full coordination among relevant agencies to ensure an integrated approach to national food security. Special emphasis was placed on collaboration with the 'Future of Egypt' authority to boost cultivation of strategic crops in the New Delta project and advance self-sufficiency goals.
The meeting also covered regulatory efforts related to bakeries, mills, and local markets, alongside progress in the rollout of 'One-Day Markets.' A total of 200 such markets were launched in November 2024, with another 200 planned for May 2025.
On the retail front, officials discussed plans to attract foreign investment and expand commercial infrastructure, with new retail chains slated for El-Obour, Nasr City, and Qalyoub. Preparations are also underway to launch 'Carry On,' the country's first government-backed retail brand, in partnership with the private sector.
Additional topics included the digital transformation of Egypt's agricultural sector, updates to subsidy recipient databases, and the establishment of the national commodities exchange. Registration of exporters and importers on the exchange platform has begun, and a draft law to formally regulate its operations—based on international standards—is in development.
The meeting also addressed the production and distribution of fertilizers, particularly nitrates and urea, with Al-Sisi calling for gradual reforms that support farmers while maintaining food security.
The president underscored the need to improve local cattle breeds to boost meat and dairy production, as part of broader efforts to enhance agricultural output and reduce reliance on imports.