A technical workshop on phytosanitary measures affecting Egypt’s grain imports was organized on 28 September by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Representatives from the Egyptian wheat sector, the country’s public authorities and regulators, and international experts discussed the importance of international phytosanitary standards, their application and the need to step up public-private dialogue in this area.
Wheat is a fundamental part of the Egyptian diet, particularly in light of the very high per capita consumption of bread. Egypt is also the world’s largest importer of wheat. Wheat imports will remain essential for Egypt’s food security in the long term, given the country’s limited arable land and water supply, and considering its population growth.
The Egyptian wheat import supply chain is characterized by heavy food losses and its efficiency could be significantly improved. FAO and the EBRD are working together to initiate public-private dialogue in Egypt’s grain sector, aimed at finding ways to reduce inefficiencies along the grain supply chain.
“Working with both private agribusinesses and public authorities on the efficiency of Egypt’s grain supply chain, we could help attract private investment and address pressing needs in this strategic sector,” said Gilles Mettetal, EBRD Director for Agribusiness.
Watani International
21 October 2015