Egypt has reached self-sufficiency in sugar by 89 percent after increasing the cultivation of cane and beets, Egypt’s Ministry of Supply said on Thursday, adding that it has sufficient strategic reserves to last until the next season.
The sugar beet season in Egypt stretches from February to June, according to the ministry, which also confirmed that the import of white and raw sugar has been allowed since June, after an import ban expired.
Egypt seeks to buy 200,000 tons of raw sugar in a tender, the ministry said.
Furthermore, a recent increase in international sugar prices had not yet affected local prices, it added.
Egypt has long been pushing for to expand its primary commodities production as part of its efforts to contain the import bill, and has sought to strengthen strategic reserves throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December 2019, an official at the Ministry of Agriculture said that Egypt’s sugar self-sufficiency rate was 80 percent.
Supply Minister Ali Moselhy also said this month that Egypt produces approximately 50 percent of its wheat needs.
