President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasized the need for a unified strategy to maximize resource efficiency, improve public services, and boost market performance.
He stressed that maintaining a balance between production and consumption is vital, calling for the use of all available tools to enforce market discipline and prevent price gouging or speculation.
The president’s remarks were made during a meeting on Saturday with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk, and Colonel Bahaa El-Ghannam, Executive Director of the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority.
President El Sisi also directed the expansion of partnerships with the private sector and the attraction of foreign investment in retail trade and commercial chains, alongside efforts to boost agricultural productivity, improve crop quality, and strengthen strategic reserves to advance towards greater self-sufficiency in agricultural, livestock, fish, and poultry production.
According to Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy, the meeting reviewed the national food security system, including the production and distribution of strategic commodities to ensure sufficient reserves for extended periods, thereby contributing to market stability, particularly in light of ongoing regional developments affecting global supply and financing chains.
Minister Farouk confirmed that stocks of key commodities, including wheat, rice, sugar, oil, pasta, and meat, remain at reassuring levels, ensuring continued availability.
The discussions also covered developments related to the subsidised bread system, the status of bakeries, updates to the ration card system, and oversight of the National Food Safety Authority.
In this respect, Agriculture Minister Farouk outlined preparations for the local wheat procurement season, targeting approximately five million tonnes, with procurement from farmers set to run from 15 April to 15 August for LE2,500 per ardeb, with prompt payment to support market stability.
The meeting further addressed developments in the poultry sector, efforts to curb food price increases, and mechanisms to enhance the commodities exchange to ensure price transparency and fair market practices, while supporting farmers and small producers.
The presidential spokesman said measures to strengthen governance in the distribution of subsidised fertilisers and promote efficient agricultural practices were also reviewed.
