Egypt has bought 235,000 tonnes of wheat through new global tenders from Romania, Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, reported state-owned Al-Ahram Arabic-language news website. The General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) expects to receive shipments between 11 and 21 November this year. Egypt imported around 1.8 million tonnes since July. Former Minister of Supply Bassem Ouda, who served under ousted president Mohamed Morsi, had halted wheat imports in February. “Farmers have provided the government (GASC) with 3.6 million tonnes of local wheat, which is less than the previous season by 100,000 tons,” the supply ministry's spokesperson, Mahmoud Diab, told Ahram Online. Diab went on to point out that Egypt's subsidised bread accounts for nine million tonnes of wheat per year. The gap between that amount and local supply is filled via imports. Current Minister of Supply Mohamed Abu Shadi said halting wheat imports was one of the previous government's gravest mistakes. According to Al-Ahram, Abu Shadi said that the country would not import wheat from certain countries as it relies on auctions, which can best ensure high quality at a fair price. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/81379.aspx
