Egypt expected to lead Arab world in wheat production by 2026, FAO estimates

The Egyptian Cabinet’s Media Center highlighted these figures, indicating Egypt's wheat production is expected to reach 10.2 million tons in 2026. This places Egypt ahead of Morocco and Iraq, each projected to produce 5 million tons, followed by Algeria with 3.5 million tons, Tunisia with 1.4 million tons, and Saudi Arabia with 1.1 million tons. The FAO estimates an approximate 7 percent increase in Egypt's wheat production for 2026 compared to average levels, primarily due to expanded cultivated areas.

Domestic wheat production is forecast to exceed 10 million tons in 2026, up from 9.4 million tons in 2025, which is expected to reduce wheat imports to about 12.5 million tons from 13.2 million tons the previous year. The cultivated wheat area has increased to 3.76 million feddans, a record 600,000 feddans more than the prior season. The government's procurement system received approximately 5 million tons of wheat, a new high.

To support farmers, the government set the wheat procurement price at LE 2,500 per ardeb, following directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The production increase is also linked to the development and adoption of high-yielding, climate-tolerant wheat varieties. These initiatives aim to boost domestic production, enhance productivity, strengthen food security, and lessen Egypt’s d