Egypt's government said its strategic reserves of essential commodities are sufficient for more than six months, as authorities ramp up market monitoring and tighten control over distribution channels amid heightened regional tensions. Supply and Internal Trade Minister Sherif Farouk said the country's food supply situation remains "entirely stable," with the government having taken preemptive steps to secure key goods and shield the domestic market from external shocks. "We have acted early to ensure availability of all essential goods in sufficient quantities and at reasonable prices," Minister Farouk said in a statement on Saturday. "Strategic stockpiles exceed six months across all core commodities." The move comes as Egypt, a major food importer, faces the dual pressure of global commodity price volatility and escalating geopolitical risks in the wider Middle East. Authorities are seeking to reassure the public and markets that supply chains remain intact and inflationary pressures are under control. The ministry said it has intensified field inspections to curb hoarding and speculative pricing, while also coordinating with the Food Industries Holding Company and retail networks to maintain the daily flow of goods nationwide. Minister Farouk added that the ministry is operating under flexible, continuously updated contingency plans that enable a swift response to market disruptions. He urged citizens to disregard rumours and rely only on official channels for updates on the supply situation. Egypt, one of the world's top wheat importers, has been working to diversify its food sources and boost local production in recent years to mitigate supply-side risks. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
