The Egyptian government is planning to reduce wheat imports as it expects big production of this important grain this season after it offered new privileges to local growers.
As officials say, wheat production is expected to rise during 2012/2013 fiscal year from 500.000 tons to 4.2 million tones.
The Egyptian government allocated LE 11 billion ($1.6 billion) this year to buy wheat from farmers.
Supply and Internal Trade Minister Bassem Ouda said yesterday that local and imported wheat stockpile now totals 2.007 million tons and that it is sufficient for 81 days, which means until June 21,2013.
As many as 180.000 tons of wheat is expected to be imported according to already-signed contracts, bringing the total stocks and in-transit wheat to 2.187 million tons sufficient for 88 days.
The 3.4- million – feddan area cultivated by wheat is expected to bring nine million tons this year while Egypt imports ten million tons of wheat annually, an amount that represents half of its needs.
Egypt , in fact , needs nine million tons , to provide subsidized bread and the Egyptian government is trying hard to get foreign cash reserves, which it hopes to bring them to $16 billion by the end of June.
And if so, we should ask ourselves on the future plans Egypt intends to carry out to increase wheat-cultivated area to reach self-sufficiency in short term and on the long run.
We should also know how the country plans to reduce wheat imports before addressing the shortage in foreign cash reserves that could block importation of basic foodstuffs.
Is it possible that the government can cover wheat needs for an entire year instead of 81 days so that the Egyptians would not worry over their livelihoods?
I think that before the government rushes to lower wheat imports while its wheat stockpiles are sufficient for only 81 days, it should first back local production, increase wheat-cultivated areas, improve irrigation systems and encourage Egyptian agricultural projects.
These all are important measures the government should take so that we would not be surprised by collapse of wheat stocks, a move that could make us resort to desert countries like Saudi Arabia to fill the gap.
This would be shameful act for an agricultural country that used to be number one in wheat production. Sometimes we can find excuses of prevailing chaos, instability and security turbulence acceptable but still meeting people’s needs is something important for governments to remain in power.
