Egypt's Minister of Supply, Dr. Sherif Farouk, recently held a meeting with representatives from the Egyptian Bakeries Association and the Grain Industry Chamber to discuss the current state of the market for free bread and "fino" bread. This was the second consecutive week that the minister had met with these groups. The goal of the meeting was to ensure that bakeries have the necessary ingredients to continue producing bread.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the availability of wheat and free flour, as well as production inputs. They also reviewed the movement of trade and the quantities available in the markets to ensure that production continues and citizens' needs for free bread and "fino" bread are met. The minister emphasized that the government's approach to managing the free bread and "fino" bread file involves monitoring all elements of the system.
The minister stated that the government is working to ensure that all aspects of the bread market are monitored, from the availability of wheat and free flour to the movement of trade and the quantities available in the markets. This is being done in coordination with relevant authorities and parties. The goal is to ensure that citizens have access to bread at reasonable prices.
The Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has confirmed that it will continue to work with the current prices and weights for free bread and "fino" bread, as specified in Ministerial Directive No. 5 of 2026. Bakeries are required to adhere to these prices and weights. According to the directive, the maximum price for a 80-gram loaf of free bread is 2 pounds, while a 60-gram loaf costs 1.5 pounds and a 40-gram loaf costs 1 pound.
The prices for "fino" bread are also specified, with a 50-gram loaf costing 2 pounds, a 40-gram loaf costing 1.5 pounds, and a 30-gram loaf costing 1 pound. The ministry is working to ensure that these prices are adhered to and that citizens are able to purchase bread at reasonable prices.
To monitor compliance with the set prices and weights, the Ministry of Supply has instructed its control and distribution sector and the supply and internal trade departments in the governorates to intensify their monitoring campaigns and regular visits to tourist and French bakeries. These campaigns aim to verify that bakeries are adhering to the set prices and weights.
The Ministry of Supply's efforts aim to stabilize the bread market and ensure that citizens have access to affordable bread. The government is working to balance the needs of bakeries and citizens, while also ensuring that the bread market operates in a fair and transparent manner.
Key points
- The Egyptian government is working to ensure that citizens have access to bread at reasonable prices.
- The Ministry of Supply is monitoring the bread market to ensure that bakeries are adhering to set prices and weights.
- The government has set prices for free bread and "fino" bread, ranging from 1-2 pounds per loaf, depending on the weight.
