Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Egyptian market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals expanded from 11.6 million tons to 13.2 million tons in volume. Domestic production rose from 12.0 million tons to 13.7 million tons over the same period, despite a minor dip in 2020.

Market growth was primarily driven by increased production, as imports and exports remained relatively small. Imports grew from 15 thousand tons to 26 thousand tons, while exports fluctuated, peaking at 568 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the Egyptian government implemented measures to strengthen local wheat supply, including raising purchase prices for farmers by 33‑50% and expanding cultivation areas to a record 3.5 million feddans. These steps aim to stimulate wheat availability for milling into flour. At the same time, to ensure supply stability, the focus shifted to importing high‑quality wheat from alternative sources such as Latvia and Russia, with the private sector’s share in wheat imports reaching 63%.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt ranked sixth globally in the production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals.

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Egypt's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2020, the country produced 12 635 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 12 818 K t, when the largest annual increase of 6.8% was recorded.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Egypt's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 140 M $ US, representing a significant rise of 13.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 51.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of improvement, Egypt's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined. In 2020, the country exported 331.6 K t, down by 39.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 544.9 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 37.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Egypt's exports in kind were Eritrea, accounting for 25.1% of exports, Somalia at 24.3%, and Yemen at 23.6%. Together, these three countries represented 73.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptick, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Egypt declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 161.1 M $ US, reflecting a steep drop of 30.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 49.7%, with an annualized rate of 14.4%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 230.3 M $ US, and the largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 55.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Eritrea, Yemen, and Somalia remained the primary buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Egypt in value terms. Eritrea accounted for 24.1% of exports, Yemen for 24.0%, and Somalia for 23.9%, collectively forming 72.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

Egypt's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 28.6 K t, showing a sharp uptick of 37.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 49%, with an annualized growth rate of 14.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 14.8 K t, when the largest annual decline of 23.0% occurred. The largest annual increase was in 2019 at 40.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017–2020, three key markets—Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and France—together accounted for 81.3% of total imports in kind of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Egypt.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Egypt increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 14.3 M $ US, reflecting a rise of 52.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 68.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6.7 M $ US, when the largest annual decline of 21.5% was observed.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and France continued to lead as the main suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Egypt in value terms. Turkey accounted for 36.6% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 24.7%, and France for 19.9%, jointly taking 81.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020