Khaberni -The Egyptian presidency stated that the state is working on activating the new commodity exchange, which is considered a unified window for importing basic food commodities and exporting them in its pursuit to "enhance food security and ensure the sustainability of the availability of basic goods at appropriate prices".
The presidency added in a statement that the exchange, wherein the Future Egypt for Sustainable Development agency associated with the armed forces owns a majority share, will be a "safety valve for markets and an effective mechanism for price control" and will work to balance the interests of producers and consumers.
The statement was issued following a Tuesday meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the ministers of Supply and Agriculture, and the Executive Director of the Future Egypt for Sustainable Development.
The statement mentioned that "the registration of exporters and importers in the commodity exchange has started, and this exchange is considered the unified window for importing and exporting goods, and that a draft law is being prepared to regulate the work of the commodity exchange."
The statement did not discuss the goods expected to be traded through the exchange, but a preliminary announcement in March stated that it would oversee crops, manufactured foods, animal feed, fertilizers, insecticides, and veterinary medicines.
The step comes amid a sharp decrease in Egypt's wheat imports after a significant adjustment in the buying system.
Trade data reviewed by Reuters indicates that Egypt's wheat imports plummeted by more than 27% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 to about 5.2 million tons, with the government's share of those imports falling by more than 57 percent to 1.5 million tons.
Egypt is one of the largest wheat importers in the world, relying on imported supplies to meet the needs of its subsidized bread program and private mills.
On Tuesday, the presidency stated that the government has contracted to buy 3.4 million tons of wheat, 192 thousand tons of crude oils, four thousand tons of frozen poultry, and six thousand tons of frozen meats, but did not specify delivery dates or the purchase timeline.
Responsibility for purchasing goods from the General Authority for Supply Commodities was transferred to the Future Egypt agency in late 2024, but it faced a rocky start.
The Future Egypt agency told Reuters that it is working on building deferred purchase centers to maintain a continuous flow of key commodities. Deferred purchase centers refer to commercial arrangements where part of the purchase price is postponed to be paid at a later time.
In June, the Prime Minister said that Egypt has a strategic reserve of wheat and other basic goods sufficient for more than six months.
