Egypt Eyes Adding India as a Wheat Import Origin This Month

Stalks of wheat are seen at a field in El-Kalubia governorate, northeast of Cairo, March 1, 2022. (Reuters)
Stalks of wheat are seen at a field in El-Kalubia governorate, northeast of Cairo, March 1, 2022. (Reuters)
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Egypt Eyes Adding India as a Wheat Import Origin This Month

Stalks of wheat are seen at a field in El-Kalubia governorate, northeast of Cairo, March 1, 2022. (Reuters)
Stalks of wheat are seen at a field in El-Kalubia governorate, northeast of Cairo, March 1, 2022. (Reuters)

Egypt's Supply Ministry has confirmed that it is considering this month adding wheat from India to 16 other national import origins accepted by its state grains buyer, as it seeks to shore up purchases disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A delegation from Egypt's Agriculture Ministry is in India "looking at phytosanitary measures and examining Indian grains in preparation for the accreditation of India as a wheat import origin," the Supply Ministry said in a statement to Reuters.

Egypt, often the world's top wheat importer, usually buys the grain via tenders set by its state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC). Purchases go toward heavily subsidized bread available to more than 60 million Egyptians.

GASC's tender book currently has 16 accredited wheat import origins, including Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Kazakhstan and the United States. The most recent addition, Latvia, was added last November.

GASC often prefers Black Sea wheat because of its proximity, quality and competitive prices, usually forgoing offers from other origins. In its last tender, a rare US wheat bid was offered but was not purchased.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February has driven up global wheat prices and disrupted Black Sea shipping, though wheat shipments from Russia continued in March.

Future purchases of Indian wheat would depend on suppliers "offering competitive bids at unique prices in GASC's tenders, as well as on the quantities offered," the Supply Ministry said.

India is looking to take advantage of the gap in the wheat export market left by the Ukrainian crisis. Despite surplus wheat stocks, logistical bottlenecks and quality concerns have previously stymied India's efforts to sell large volumes on the world market.

"Since the Egyptian delegation is here, it very clearly means that they are serious about (buying wheat from India)," Sudhanshu Pandey, the top official at India's food ministry, told Reuters.

Egypt has been working to diversify its purchases, holding talks with France, Argentina, and the United States.

The government is studying different ways to purchase wheat, according to several traders, including by issuing limited origin tenders or direct purchases outside the tender framework.

On Monday, GASC issued a limited tender to purchase wheat of European origins only. It cancelled two tenders shortly after the Ukraine war started.

It is unclear whether the government will initiate direct purchases, but traders have said the process could be hindered by Egypt's regulatory framework.



UK Economy Shrinks 0.1% in May

The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
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UK Economy Shrinks 0.1% in May

The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)
The Elizabeth Tower commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben" is pictured before race boats from the E1 World Championship race across the River Thames, in central London on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)

Britain's economic output shrank by 0.1% in May, official data showed on Friday.

Economists polled by Reuters had mostly forecast that gross domestic product would rise by 0.1% from April's level.

Britain's economy expanded rapidly in the first quarter of 2025, outstripping growth in other countries in the Group of Seven advanced economies. In May the Bank of England revised up its full-year growth forecast to 1%.

However, much of the growth in early 2025 was likely to have been linked to the expiry of a tax break for some home purchases in April which boosted the sector before the deadline, and a rush by manufacturers to beat higher US import tariffs.

The BoE has said it thinks the economy grew by about 0.25% in the second quarter of 2025.