Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly chaired a high-level meeting Wednesday to review ongoing efforts to rein in commodity prices and strengthen market oversight, as inflation is projected to cool by 2026. The prime minister stressed the need for coordinated action among government agencies to stabilize prices and ensure the steady supply of essential goods. "We're focused on maintaining affordability and availability across the country," Prime Minister Madbouly said, citing tools like the Price Radar mobile app, which enables consumers to report shortages and price hikes directly. Supply Minister Sherif Farouk noted that retail prices for staple goods have declined. Egg prices, which had soared to 210 Egyptian pounds per tray, have fallen to an average of 140 pounds, with some stores offering them at 100 pounds. Sugar prices have dropped to 30 pounds per kilogram, down from a previous range of 36–39 pounds, backed by a stockpile covering over 14 months of demand. The meeting reviewed a recent poll by the Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre, which showed that 90 per cent of respondents found the goods they were looking for, while 94.3 per cent of retailers said state measures had successfully stabilized supply chains. The meeting also reviewed global inflation dynamics. Institutions including Fitch Ratings, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expect Egypt's inflation to decline sharply by 2026, compared with 2025 levels. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) echoed this outlook, though it warned of lingering upside risks stemming from geopolitical tensions and global trade disruptions. With early signs of progress, policymakers are aiming to anchor inflation expectations and bolster consumer confidence as Egypt navigates a complex economic landscape. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
