Egypt reduced imports of Ukrainian wheat by almost 50%

In the 2026/27 season, the largest buyer of Ukrainian wheat reduced grain imports by 49% compared to the same period last year.

According to Miller Magazine, in the first two months of the 2026/27 season, Egypt imported 1.02 million tons of wheat compared to 1.99 million tons a year earlier.

Amr Siam, Commercial Director of the Bashayer Foundation for Feed, Export and Import, said during the BBS Grain 2026 conference that the reduction in imports is primarily due to the postponement of purchases, and not to a decrease in Egypt’s needs for wheat.

Wheat from the Black Sea region accounted for about 83% of the value of wheat imports to Egypt in January-August. Due to such dependence, the country is particularly sensitive to disruptions in supplies from major suppliers.

“The current disruptions began closer to the beginning of the marketing year. In February 2022, when Russia’s war against Ukraine began, Egypt had already made a significant part of its seasonal purchases. Now, the country is having to organize a larger volume of imports amid disruptions to Black Sea trade and pressure on freight and insurance costs,” said Amr Siam.

Egypt started the 2026/27 season with wheat stocks at 3.7 million tons — about 11% below the average over the past five years.

According to Siam, the country still needs to purchase about 2.3 million tons of wheat to support its subsidized grain program. The timing and origin of these purchases will depend on prices and the situation with maritime transportation.

At the same time, Egypt is increasing domestic production and purchases of wheat. However, its own harvest is not enough to cover annual consumption, which is about 20 million tons. The level of wheat self-sufficiency in 2026/27 MY is estimated at approximately 48%

Against the backdrop of supply disruptions from the Black Sea region, Egypt plans to expand the geography of purchases. In particular, SIAM reported that a batch of French wheat in the volume of 50-60 thousand tons is heading to the country.

At the same time, Egypt remains the largest buyer of Ukrainian wheat. According to the results of July-May 2025/26 MY, the country imported 3.75 million tons of Ukrainian wheat.

Read also: Ukraine wants to strengthen “Paths of Solidarity” by restricting sea exports.