June 1, 2018

Egypt turns away Russian wheat shipment

Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, has rejected a 63,000-tonne shipment of Russian wheat, claiming it contained excessive levels of the common grain fungus ergot, Reuters reported on Thursday, May 31.

Agriculture ministry spokesman Abdel Dayim said the wheat shipment, sold to state grain buyer GASC, contained 0.06% ergot, which is above the 0.05% limit permitted under Egypt's state tender rules.

The exporter of the concerned shipment had petitioned to re-test the cargo, but Egypt's agriculture quarantine authority rejected the request, Dayim said, according to Reuters. 

A company source cited by the news agency said it was still pushing the quarantine authority to re-test the cargo, at the same time insisting that their wheat was clean and "fully corresponds to tender specifications".

The source added that the wheat shipment was confirmed by all official entities and the inspection company at loading.

With this turn of events, the North African nation is expected to turn to the US for wheat supplies.