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Egypt Independent
13-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's Bakeries Division reveals expected increase in Fino bread prices
The head of the Bakeries Division, Abdullah Ghorab, said that a meeting will be held on Sunday at the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade regarding the price of tourist (non-subsidized) and Fino bread, following the recent increase in fuel prices. During a phone interview with Ahmed Moussa's TV show 'Ala Massoulity' (On My Responsibility) on Saturday evening, Ghorab said that there will be an increase in the price of tourist and Fino bread. He pointed out that baking a sack of flour consumes 16 liters of diesel. Ghorab explained that the price of tourist and Fino bread is expected to increase by no more than 25 percent, noting that the weight of the loaf will remain unchanged. He pointed out that the increase in diesel prices significantly impacts bread production.
CairoScene
12-03-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
National Flour Fortification Programme Revived to Tackle Anaemia
In partnership with the UN World Food Programme, subsidised bread will now be made with a fortified mix. Mar 12, 2025 The National Flour Fortification Programme has been launched by the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade (MOSIT), the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), and the National Nutrition Institute, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This programme constitutes a part of the initiative to improve nutrition and public health, particularly in response to the growing prevalence of Iron-Deficiency Anaemia. The programme has created a fortification mix endorsed by the NNI which will enrich the subsidised wheat flour used for baking bread by adding the essential micronutrients of iron and folic acid. Sufficient amounts of this fortification premix have been sourced for the programme's first phase as result of initial funding from the German government. The Egyptian government and the WFP are working to roll out this fortified subsidised bread in 13 governorates with the highest rates of anaemia through public bakeries. The WFP has also facilitated the training of over 600 millers operating flour mills nationwide. Anaemia, particularly iron-related anaemia, is a growing challenge to public health in Egypt, with the 2021 Population Research Report, issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, revealing a rise of 43% among children under five and a notably high prevalence among women of reproductive age.
CairoScene
23-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Bakery Operating Hours Extended in Ramadan 2025 to Meet High Demand
Exempted bakeries can operate until 9 PM, including those in crowded areas, in remote regions or under special systems. Feb 23, 2025 The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has announced the operating hours for bakeries during Ramadan 2025, varying by governorate based on local demand. Some bakeries will be exempt from these hours to ensure bread availability during peak times, as determined by supply directorates. Exempted bakeries will be allowed to operate until 9 PM, following each directorate's plan. These include bakeries in high-density areas, bakeries near markets and commercial zones with high foot traffic, bakeries in rural and remote areas to ensure bread supply for residents, and bakeries operating under special systems as per supply directorate decisions. This includes bakeries that serve specific institutions, follow special production methods, or have agreements with local authorities to meet particular demands. Most bakeries will open at 7 AM, while others will operate from 8 AM to 5 PM. The ministry emphasised the need for strict supply monitoring during Ramadan to ensure the availability of essential goods and high-quality local bread, particularly during peak hours.
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-02-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Securing Ramadan essentials - Economy - Al-Ahram Weekly
The government's Ramadan exhibitions ensure the availability of foodstuffs throughout the month at discount prices The government is ramping up efforts to secure strategic commodities and regulate market prices with the advent of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, in collaboration with the private sector and the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, has launched Ahlan Ramadan (Welcome Ramadan) exhibitions across the country to provide essential foodstuffs at reduced prices. The exhibitions are being held in public squares, retail chains, hypermarkets, shopping malls, and ration food outlets. Hisham Al-Degwi, head of the Foodstuffs Division at the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, said food security, particularly during Ramadan, 'is a collective responsibility shared by multiple entities, such as the Ministry of Supply, the private sector, the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, and various government bodies. The governorate of Giza will host five Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions, alongside one-day fairs.' Nouran, a woman in her 30s, visited an Ahlan Ramadan outlet with her son and daughter. With a carefully planned budget, Nouran prioritised purchasing staple items, including rice, pasta, milk, cheese, and cooking oil. Though she had not intended to buy Ramadan's yameesh (dried fruits and nuts), her son's request for meshmeshiya (dried apricots) tugged at her heart. To satisfy his desire without exceeding her budget, she opted for a small quarter-kilo box priced at LE100. For the third consecutive year, Nouran, a public sector employee, has excluded yameesh from her Ramadan shopping list. 'Prices have skyrocketed to an extent that makes it impossible to buy yameesh,' she said, noting that her budget no longer allows for such luxuries. Instead, she carefully selects a small quantity of whatever her children request, alongside essentials like dates and qamareddin (apricot juice) to break her fast. Despite the financial strain, Nouran acknowledges the discounts at Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions. 'A bag of sugar that costs LE35 elsewhere is available here for LE30. There's also a brand of semolina-based pasta sold at an LE8 discount compared to market prices,' she added. Throughout the past couple of years Egyptian family budgets have been strained by high inflation caused by the depreciation of the local currency and high global prices of commodities. Annual headline inflation peaked in September 2023 at 38 per cent but has since started easing down. Inflation figures out on Monday showed annual headline inflation decreased to 24.1 per cent in January 2025. At another supply outlet, Um Mohamed, in her 60s, said she had saved LE1,000 to buy her newly married daughter Ramadan supplies. Working as a cleaner, Um Mohamed added she saved up the amount to purchase rice, pasta, dried dates, dates, a frozen chicken, and tea. Um Mohamed said that prices remain high but was relieved at being able to buy her daughter's essential items. However, she laments the decline of the traditional Ramadan box which is available in supermarket chains and delivered by benefactors. 'It used to be full of goods. Now, it barely contains the basics: no dates, no qamareddin. Even a bag of rice has shrunk to 900 grams instead of a kilo, while a bottle of oil has been reduced to 650 millilitres instead of a full litre.' Goods available at Ahlan Ramadan are offered at discounts reaching 30 per cent, raising scepticism among some consumers about their quality. Mustafa, a father shopping alone for Ramadan provisions, deliberately left his children home, fearing they would request items he could not afford. Expecting the discounts to be superficial, Mustafa was surprised to find that the price reductions were genuine without compromising quality. 'If these discounts are possible now, why do we pay such high prices the rest of the year?' he asked. 'Traders at these exhibitions do not pay rent, and the goods come directly from food factories to the consumer, bypassing middlemen,' Al-Degwi explained to Al-Ahram Weekly. Moreover, 'pasta sold in regular stores is packed in cartons, each costing LE10, with the cost factored into the price of every bag. At the exhibitions, however, pasta is packaged in plastic bags, eliminating the cost of cartons and allowing for further discounts.' The exhibitions often frustrate conventional retailers as the same products are sold at prices lower than what wholesalers themselves pay. 'Consumers then assume that traders are making exorbitant profits throughout the year,' he added. In addition, 'the transport of goods is streamlined, reducing logistical costs, and the electricity powering the exhibition is provided free of charge. Additionally, Civil Defence ensures security, the Ministry of Electricity covers lighting expenses, and the Chambers of Commerce finance the setup of lamps in public squares. This collective effort allows merchants to offer goods without adding additional costs on consumers,' Al-Degwi stated. Sherif Farouk, the minister of supply, had earlier convened a meeting with representatives of major commercial chains to bolster cooperation between the public and private sectors and ensure that essential goods remain accessible at fair prices throughout Ramadan. Market monitoring will be intensified during the month to prevent speculative pricing or disruptions in supply, with the Supply Ministry set to ramp up inspection campaigns and implement well-structured distribution plans, Farouk said. Commercial chains are hosting Ahlan Ramadan exhibitions to increase the availability of essential goods while integrating products from companies affiliated with the Holding Company for Food Industries into mainstream retail outlets, he added. Representatives of commercial chains reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the state's food security efforts, pledging to supply competitively priced, high-quality products in line with government directives. Furthermore, a joint operations room was set up between the ministry and retail chains to monitor the steady flow of goods and address logistical challenges that may arise in the coming weeks. This year, Ramadan is likely to start on 1 March, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. * A version of this article appears in print in the 20 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
17-02-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
PM Inaugurates "Ahlan Ramadan 2025" Main Exhibition
Taarek Refaat PM Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated Sunday the main exhibition "Ahla Ramadan 2025" at the Exhibition Center in Nasr City, organized by the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, in cooperation with a number of ministries, during the period from February 16 to 26. The Prime Minister stressed the state's keenness to continue holding "Ahlan Ramadan" exhibitions every year, across the country at reasonable prices, with discounts of up to 30%, and to organize markets to support citizens, especially with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, while stressing the need to continue continuous cooperation with the private sector to provide products with high quality and reasonable prices. Madbouly inspected a wide sector of the exhibition sections, praising the abundance and diversity of products in a way that meets all needs and tastes. During his tour, the Prime Minister was keen to check the availability of storage spaces in the exhibition, and the efficiency of the supply chain system to ensure the flow of goods and immediate replacement of what is sold to ensure the continued presence of all exhibits throughout the exhibition activities. He also inspected the quality of the display and packaging, and got acquainted about the prices of various goods and discount rates, and directed that their sale be available to citizens only and not to merchants. This year, the exhibition includes 140 pavilions, including the Holding Company for Food Industries of the Ministry of Supply, the National Service Authority of the Armed Forces, Aman of the Ministry of Interior, and major private sector companies, with discounts of up to 30%.
