August 25, 2008
Egypt secures wheat reserves of 3.8 million tonnes
Egypt, the world's largest importer of wheat, said Saturday (August 23) it had a strategic reserve of 3.8 million tonnes of wheat representing five months of supply.
The government purchased 2.5 million tonnes of local wheat from farmers during the current season, an increase of 47 percent over the quantity procured last year, state-owned daily Al Ahram newspaper reported quoting the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The paper also quoted Said Hefny, vice chairman of state-owned wheat buyer the General Authority for Supply Commodities, as stating that Egypt imported 1.5 million tonnes of wheat during the two months of July and August.