• Umm Abdo prepares bread for the family in her home on the west bank of the Nile, by Egypt's southern city of Aswan. All photos: AFP
    Umm Abdo prepares bread for the family in her home on the west bank of the Nile, by Egypt's southern city of Aswan. All photos: AFP
  • Russia's invasion of Ukraine has disrupted wheat imports to many countries, fuelling fears of higher prices and shortages.
    Russia's invasion of Ukraine has disrupted wheat imports to many countries, fuelling fears of higher prices and shortages.
  • With global supply chains already under strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a wheat-buying frenzy in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco – all of which depend heavily on imported wheat to feed their populations – lays bare the magnitude of the challenge governments face amid sharp rises in food prices.
    With global supply chains already under strain due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a wheat-buying frenzy in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco – all of which depend heavily on imported wheat to feed their populations – lays bare the magnitude of the challenge governments face amid sharp rises in food prices.
  • The crisis was highlighted by the UN food agency, which this week predicted that poorer countries in northern Africa, Asia and the Middle East that depend heavily on wheat imports risk suffering significant food insecurity because of the war in Ukraine.
    The crisis was highlighted by the UN food agency, which this week predicted that poorer countries in northern Africa, Asia and the Middle East that depend heavily on wheat imports risk suffering significant food insecurity because of the war in Ukraine.
  • Of the five nations in northern Africa, Egypt’s wheat predicament is perhaps the gravest. The world’s largest wheat importer with a population of 102 million, Egypt relies on Russia and Ukraine for 80 per cent of its supply.
    Of the five nations in northern Africa, Egypt’s wheat predicament is perhaps the gravest. The world’s largest wheat importer with a population of 102 million, Egypt relies on Russia and Ukraine for 80 per cent of its supply.
  • Egypt’s wheat is chiefly used to make the flatbreads provided for about 60 million citizens who are entitled to subsidised food.
    Egypt’s wheat is chiefly used to make the flatbreads provided for about 60 million citizens who are entitled to subsidised food.

Egypt bans export of wheat and other staples for three months


  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt will impose a three-month ban on the export of several essential food items, including wheat, from March 11.

The Ministry of Supply and Domestic Trade order, published in the national gazette, covers lentils, pasta, wheat, flour and fava beans. It coincided with a significant rise in the price of foodstuffs in Egypt that's partially blamed on the adjustment of the supply chain in the aftermath of the worst phase of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Alarm over the impact of the Ukraine war has also been cited for the rising prices since 80 per cent of Egypt's wheat imports - about 13 million tonnes in 2021 - come from Russian and Ukraine.

Egypt is the world's largest wheat importer.

The minsitry gave no specific reason for the ban, which appeared designed to bolster supply of these items in the hope that would check the surge in prices.

The most-populous Arab nation with 102 mllion people, Egypt's wheat imports and local production are chiefly used to make bread, the country's main staple and the cornerstone of a bread-subsidy programme that benefits about 60 million people.

The remainder of the population relies on "free market" bread, which is bigger and more expensive.

Surging food prices have sent the inflation rate in urban parts of Egypt to the highest level since mid-2019, adding to the likelihood of an interest-rate increase this month.

Consumer prices were up 8.8 per cent in February, compared with 7.3 per cent the previous month, the state-run statistics agency Capmas said on Thursday.

A 17.6 per cent increase in food and beverage costs, the biggest single component of the inflation basket, was the main driver. On a monthly basis, inflation was 1.6 per cent.

The steep hike in food prices, including fresh produce, has led to calls for the government to step in to protect consumers, particularly middle-class and poor Egyptians. About 30 per cent of Egyptians live under the poverty line.

Cairo residents are reporting increases in food prices of up to 50 per cent over the past two weeks. Food prices routinely rise in the weeks before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in the first week of April. During that month, many Egyptians treat themselves to elaborate meals at sunset, when they break their daylong fast.

The prices of non-subsidized bread in Egypt increased over the past few days, as the Russian aggression on Ukraine has affected the price of wheat worldwide. EPA
The prices of non-subsidized bread in Egypt increased over the past few days, as the Russian aggression on Ukraine has affected the price of wheat worldwide. EPA

But the current price increases are far higher than they usually are in the run up to Ramadan.

The price of a loaf of bread, outside the state subsidy system, has risen from 0.50 to 1.50 Egyptian pounds (about $1).

And fuel prices, which are adjusted by the government, are widely expected to be raised soon to reflect sharply higher prices on the world market.

The chief prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday that 12 people had been detained in eight provinces, including Cairo and the port city of Alexandria, on suspicion of hoarding food items with the intention of selling them later at inflated prices. It said authorities were determined to find and prosecute hoarders.

The surge in food prices and the likely rise in fuel prices will compound the hardship faced by most Egyptians to make ends meet as the government of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi presses on with an ambitiious programme to overhaul and modenize the economy that began in late 2016.

The programme, initially launched as part of a deal to secure a $12 billion IMF loan, has seen the government removing most state subsidies, raising utility charges and intoducing a vast range of taxes. The pound's exchange rate to the US dollar was also floated in 2016 with a devaluation that stripped the local currency half its value.

The reforms hit the poor and middle class hard, but the government has sought to cushion the upheaval with a range of economic support initiatives for the most vulnerable among them.

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

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VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Updated: March 10, 2022, 3:38 PM