Egypt population boom will see it become the world's top wheat importer

Egypt is set to become the worlds largest importer of wheat for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and it projected to import 12 million tons of wheat, up from 11.2 million the previous year.

A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicted increase in imports due to to increasing demand in Egypt, as well as the need to maintain stock levels.

It comes three years after Egypt announced that its population had surpassed the 100 million mark with bread a staple in most Egyptians' diets.

Egypt’s domestic production is projected to continue at the same level of 9.7 million tons of wheat a year, with a below-average harvest predicted due to decreasing rainfall.

Egypt struggled to import wheat from the global market last year, with high international prices caused by the war in Ukraine and a weak Egyptian pound leading to a decrease in imports.

Although lower international prices for wheat are expected, Egypt’s ability to both import wheat and continue subsidising bread is likely to be a challenge amid its current economic woes.