Egyptian importers call for expanding food export bans amid price increases

The decision was supposed to take effect last week but was postponed to honour previously arranged export agreements.

“The decision is good for the market and should be applied to other goods like tomatoes, potatoes, and beans to control prices that skyrocketed,” Ahmed Sheha, a member of the importer's division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, told Ahram Online.

However, he also warned that some vendors may circumvent the ban illicitly.

“However, there is still a risk as some vendors may hoard stockpiles of onions to be released at high prices after the end of the ban. Therefore, the government should consider extending the ban’s term and crack down on any unethical practices in the market,” Sheha added.

In September, onion prices in Egypt surged to EGP 35 ($1.13) per kilogram in some local markets, up 106 percent from EGP 17 ($0.55) the previous month and more than 1,328 percent from EGP 2.45 ($0.079) a year ago.