Egypt's farmers have deposited 237,300 tonnes of wheat at government silos during the first two weeks of this year's grain harvest, the country's supply ministry stated Sunday. The figure represents grain deposited at silos belonging to the General Authority of Supply Commodities, with around 239,000 tonnes deposited in the same period last year, according to the ministry statement. The government has set an official price of EGP 555 per ardeb (roughly 150 kg) for the lowest quality grain, while higher quality grain has been priced at EGP 565 and EGP 575. Agriculture Minister Abdel-Moneim El-Banna said earlier this month that his ministry, in coordination with the supply ministry, would work on facilitating the wheat supplies to the government, setting a limit of 72 hours to pay farmers what they are owed for their crops. The wheat harvest season starts in mid-April and lasts for three months. According to Sunday's statement, the ministry's quality inspectors have rejected 900 tonnes of wheat that did not meet the required standard. Egypt, the world's largest importer of the grain, has said it aims to buy between 4 and 4.5 million tonnes of wheat from farmers this season. However, last week, supply minister Ali Moselhy reduced the figure to around 3.8 million tonnes. Source: Ahram Online
