Egypt targets record wheat harvest cutting imports by 23 percent

Egypt is poised to achieve a record wheat harvest of 10 million tons in the 2026/27 marketing year, according to projections from FAS USDA. This increase in production is expected to reduce wheat imports by 23% year-on-year, bringing them down to 12 million tons, the lowest level since the 2022/23 marketing year.

The rise in wheat output is primarily driven by an expansion of harvested area, which is set to grow from 1.33 million hectares to 1.5 million hectares. Egypt is also investing in improved production technologies, early-maturing high-yielding varieties, and the wider use of certified seed to boost yields. Higher government procurement prices are providing additional incentives for farmers, as the authorities aim to enhance strategic grain reserves and strengthen food security amid regional instability.

Wheat consumption in Egypt is forecast to reach 20.7 million tons in the 2026/27 marketing year, a 0.5% increase from the previous year. This growth in demand is attributed to the country's expanding population, which has surpassed 108 million people, along with a significant number of migrants and refugees.

Additionally, Egypt plans to increase its wheat flour exports, with shipments projected to rise by 17% to 1.4 million tons in the 2026/27 marketing year. Key destinations for these exports include markets in Africa and the Middle East, such as Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Eritrea.