Egypt is working on reducing wheat imports by adding corn or sorghum to subsidized bread, according to sources.
This move could save the government millions, but it faces opposition from bakers and millers worried about financial losses and bread quality.
The Egyptian government has been struggling with increasing debt, foreign currency shortages, and inflation.
Its bread subsidy program, which supports over 70 million Egyptians, puts a significant strain on the budget.
Under the new plan, starting in April 2025, corn flour will be mixed with wheat flour at a 1:4 ratio, saving around one million tons of wheat.
The plan comes after a previous proposal to adjust the milling process was dropped due to resistance.
Egypt is one of the world’s largest wheat importers, spending about $2.1 billion annually, mainly on Russian wheat.
The government hopes using locally grown corn could provide hard currency savings, though concerns remain about changes in bread texture and smell.
Efforts to reduce reliance on wheat are not new; past attempts to use corn faced opposition.
The current plan will likely stir further debate in Egypt’s baking and milling industries.