Egypt monitoring food, fuel supplies and local markets amid regional escalation: PM

CAIRO – 11 March 2026: Egypt’s government said it is closely monitoring the availability of food supplies, basic commodities and petroleum products to ensure market stability amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Chairing the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stressed that authorities are following developments around the clock to guarantee the steady flow of essential goods and energy supplies to citizens.

The prime minister stressed the need for intensified market oversight to prevent price manipulation or hoarding of commodities during the current regional crisis.

He warned that any violations aimed at exploiting the situation for illegal profits would face strict action would be referred to the military prosecution.

Madbouly noted that the region has witnessed a sharp escalation in recent days, with repercussions affecting Egypt and the entire Middle East.

Egypt, he said, continues to urge all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.

Madbouly added that Cairo will maintain efforts with regional and international partners to contain the crisis and push for peaceful solutions in order to spare the region further instability.

Global Economic Repercussions

During the meeting with the ministers, Madbouly warned of the economic repercussions associated with the ongoing escalation, which he said has affected various countries worldwide.

He stressed that these repercussions undermine energy security, global supply chains and international trade, which ultimately affect living standards and the availability of goods.

Madbouly highlighted diplomatic efforts led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, including consultations with world leaders and participation via video conference in an emergency meeting convened by the European Union on regional developments.

During that meeting, El-Sisi reiterated the importance of resolving crises through peaceful means.

Separately, the president warned of the grave humanitarian, economic, and security repercussions of the ongoing war, calling for exploring peaceful solutions to end the war.

Crisis Management Committee

The prime minister also noted that a central crisis management committee had recently been formed to monitor the repercussions of the regional escalation, particularly the ongoing US–Israeli military operations in Iran, and to assess their potential impact on Egypt.

Madbouly said the committee has reviewed various scenarios prepared by ministries and government agencies to address consequences of the crisis, approving measures aimed at rationalizing spending and consumption.

Petroleum Products, Grain

Separately, the prime minister said he conducted a visit earlier this week to facilities in Suez governorate, including the Sumed Port in Ain Sokhna.

He also inspected the port’s petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and handling terminal to review the readiness of infrastructure used to receive and process LNG shipments.

He also inspected the Ataka grain silo in Suez, which has a storage capacity of 60,000 tons, as part of efforts to strengthen Egypt’s food security system and enhance the country’s ability to store strategic grain reserves amid rapidly evolving regional developments.