According to a report published by USDA officials, corn imports to Egypt are expected to reach about 9.5 million metric tons in MY 2017/18. For 2018/19, milled rice production is expected to drop by 3.3 million metric tons and plantings by 558,000 hectares.

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service agricultural specialist Ahmed Wally and attaché Mariano Beillard published a report on the Egyptian feed market. According to the report, corn imports to Egypt are expected to increase in %1 from the 2017/18 forecast and reach about 9,5 million metric tons. Imports for 2017/18 season were reduced based on a drop in the consumption of animal proteins including poultry, red meat and dairy products – lingering effects from the devaluation and floating of the Egyptian currency near the end of 2016. The report pointed out that together with the implementation of flexible currency regime led to the pound dropping about 60% of its value compared to the US dollar and “Egyptian importers of food and agricultural products saw costs double.” The report also said that the recent decrease in the inflation will cause an increase in the purchasing power of the domestic producers and this will lead an increase in the imports. However, because of the local dissatisfaction with the price and quality of the US corn this trend of increase may not favor the American exporters, the report says. Corn stocks for 2018/19 season are forecast to be 2.36 million metric tons. Stocks in marketing year 2017/18 were increased from the initial assessment by 20.2% based on local production and the reduction in consumption. Additionally, Egypt’s wheat production for marketing year 2018/19 is expected to increase and imports are forecast at 12.5 million metric tons. However, for 2018/19, milled rice production is expected to drop by 3.3 million metric tons and plantings by 558,000 hectares.