Egypt has received 21,000 tons of locally grown wheat at the Attaqa silo in the Suez governorate since the national procurement season began on April 15, a senior official said Tuesday. The Egyptian government accelerates grain intake to bolster strategic reserves. Ahmed Ali, head of the Suez Directorate of Supply and Internal Trade, said deliveries came from farmers and collection centres across the governorate. The target is to fill the silo's full storage capacity of 60,000 tons in the coming weeks. "The flow of wheat is steady, and we are working to match or exceed last year's intake," Ali said according to a statement by the Ministry of Supply following an inspection visit. In the 2024 season, the Attaqa facility received 42,000 tons. The Attaqa silo, a key component of Egypt's grain storage infrastructure, comprises 12 storage cells with a capacity of 5,000 tons each. The site recently underwent a digital upgrade as part of the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade's nationwide silo modernization program. Silo Director Abdel Aziz Ghoneim said the new digital control room enhances operational efficiency and monitoring, contributing to tighter stock management and quality control. Egypt, one of the world's largest wheat importers, has stepped up efforts in recent years to increase local procurement and reduce reliance on international markets. The government typically sets an annual procurement price for local wheat to encourage domestic supply and improve food security. The ongoing 2025 procurement season comes amid heightened global grain market volatility, with Egypt aiming to secure as much locally harvested wheat as possible before peak consumption during the summer and Eid al-Adha holiday. Officials said inspections of storage conditions and logistics coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture are ongoing to ensure efficient grain handling and timely payments to farmers. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
