President Sisi orders to monitor market prices of basic food commodities

CAIRO- 30 October 2022: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi gave directives to maintain the sustainability of the state’s strategic stocks of basic food commodities and monitor their market prices to maintain the stability of the state’s food security by fulfilling the citizens’ needs at appropriate quantities and prices and by providing them at government and supply outlets nationwide.

The President’s directions were given during a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, and Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Ali El-Moselhy to be updated on the status and availability of the basic strategic food commodities nationwide, said Spokesman for the Presidency ambassador Bassam Rady in a statement on Sunday.

The President was briefed on the status of the state’s strategic stocks of all basic food commodities, within the context of the state’s planning to maintain the strategic stocks, taking into consideration the current global food crisis.

The Minister of Supply detailed the state’s stockpile of various basic commodities, taking into consideration the date of the holy month of Ramadan due in March 2023 and the importance of making due preparations for it. He confirmed the availability of a strategic stock of wheat until next April and the beginning of the next harvest season.

As for sugar, its strategic reserve will be enough until next February, noting that the new production season will start in January. And as for oil, the state’s strategic reserve of it will suffice until next May. Meanwhile, self-sufficiency of rice production was reached. Fresh meat and pourtly are also available in stock for 12 months and 5 months respectively.

The President was also briefed on the status of the Food Industrial Complex “Edfina and Qaha”, which is located in Sadat City, on an area of 120 feddans at a cost of 5.5 billion pounds. The complex houses 9 factories for canned and frozen food of all kinds.

President El-Sisi stressed the need to adhere to the latest international systems, standards and specifications for food processing, to meet the needs of the local market and also be exported, highlighting the significant leap this project will realize for the state’s food security system.