Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently held a meeting to review the government's progress in settling farmers' dues for sugarcane deliveries and discuss procurement prices for strategic commodities. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk and Supply and Internal Trade Minister Sherif Farouk. The discussions focused on maintaining adequate supplies of essential food commodities and strengthening domestic production of key agricultural and food products.
During the meeting, Madbouly reaffirmed the government's commitment to paying farmers for sugarcane supplied to state-affiliated sugar producers. He also stressed the importance of monitoring the settlement of farmers' dues for other strategic crops. The meeting comes as Egypt seeks to maintain sufficient stocks of essential food commodities and strengthen domestic production of key agricultural and food products.
The government is prioritizing the development of the sugar industry and coordinating with relevant authorities to improve production efficiency and strengthen supply chains. According to Farouk, these measures aim to maintain sugar availability in the local market and support food security. The Supply and Internal Trade Ministry has already paid more than EGP 18bn to farmers for sugarcane deliveries.
The meeting also reviewed the current position of sugar production from different sources and indicators related to market availability. Officials discussed efforts to support domestic sugar production and maintain the continuity of supply chains. Egypt's strategic sugar reserve, along with stocks of other strategic commodities, remains at safe levels and is sufficient to cover domestic requirements for extended periods.
The discussions also addressed procurement prices for other strategic commodities, with Madbouly stressing the need for the government to adhere to payment schedules for farmers supplying these commodities. He emphasized that timely payment of procurement prices is crucial for maintaining farmers' incentives to supply strategic crops through official channels.
The government's approach covers a range of strategic agricultural commodities, with procurement and supply policies designed to secure domestic stocks while supporting agricultural production. The meeting considered the relationship between farmers' payments and the government's efforts to maintain strategic reserves. Ensuring the timely settlement of farmers' dues can support the flow of agricultural products into official procurement channels.
Madbouly directed the relevant authorities to continue monitoring the payment of farmers' dues and the availability of strategic commodities, while ensuring that procurement prices are paid according to established schedules. The measures are intended to maintain sufficient stocks of essential commodities, support the continuity of domestic agricultural production, and strengthen Egypt's ability to meet local demand.
Key points
- The Egyptian government has paid over EGP 18bn to sugarcane farmers.
- The strategic sugar reserve in Egypt remains at safe levels, sufficient to cover domestic requirements.
- Timely payment of procurement prices is crucial for maintaining farmers' incentives to supply strategic crops.
