Egypt’s wheat imports fall 42% in October

Egypt’s wheat imports fell nearly 42% in October to about 1.15 million tons, down from around 2 million tons in the same month last year, according to a document obtained by Al Manassa. Hisham Suleiman, director of Mediterranean Star for Trading and Grain Imports, attributed the decline to the stronger dollar and rising international wheat prices.

The document showed that Egypt imported 10.18 million tons of wheat between January and the end of October, compared with 10.86 million tons during the same period last year, a decrease of 671,700 tons, or 6.2%.

Disruptions linked to tensions in the Black Sea region, home to two of the world’s largest wheat exporters, Russia and Ukraine, have driven up flour prices by around 3,000 Egyptian pounds ($55) per ton since early August. International wheat market volatility has also pushed up import costs.

Despite the decline, Russia remained Egypt’s largest wheat supplier, according to the document. Russian shipments fell to 5.72 million tons from 6.1 million tons over the same period, accounting for 56.2% of Egypt’s total wheat imports. Imports from Ukraine also declined, falling to 2.73 million tons from 3.32 million tons, a drop of 587,900 tons.

Egypt had relied on Russia and Ukraine for around 80% of its imported wheat needs during the first half of this year. It imported about 4.5 million tons from Russia alone during that period, before shipments declined in the second half amid the war.

The document also showed that imports from France fell to 297,800 tons from 391,600 tons, a decline of 23.9%. Shipments from the US dropped to 71,000 tons from 112,100 tons, down 36.6%.

New suppliers enter the market

Egypt has also diversified its sources of wheat, with several new countries entering the supplier mix. Imports from Lithuania reached 93,100 tons, while those from Latvia totaled 66,000 tons in the first 10 months of this year. Neither country recorded shipments to Egypt during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, imports from Romania rose 48.8% to 742,900 tons compared with the same period last year, according to the document.

Wheat imports from Bulgaria also increased, reaching 246,900 tons, up 19.7% from 206,300 tons. Shipments from Canada rose 39%, to 157,200 tons from 113,100 tons.

Suleiman said the stronger dollar and higher international wheat prices had raised import costs, affecting shipment volumes and domestic flour prices in recent months.

International wheat prices reached $320 per ton, compared with $270 in the middle of this year, before easing slightly in recent days to $305, he said.

Suleiman told Al Manassa that the dollar’s recent decline against the Egyptian pound could help lower wheat import costs and, in turn, domestic flour prices in the coming period.

The dollar recently climbed to a record high of more than 56 pounds before falling back below 55 pounds at the National Bank of Egypt.

Egypt imported approximately 12.5 million tons of wheat during the 2025/26 fiscal year, according to Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister Alaa Farouk. The volume covered around 62% of domestic consumption, estimated at 20.3 million tons annually. The subsidized bread program alone requires around 8.6 million tons of wheat annually.