Egypt projected to lead Arab nations in wheat production by 2026

According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Egypt is projected to lead Arab nations in wheat production by 2026. Projections indicate Egypt's output will reach 10.2 million tons, a 7% increase over its production average. This growth is driven by an expansion in cultivated areas, which have reached a record 3.76 million feddans, an increase of 600,000 feddans compared to the previous season.

This increase in domestic production is expected to reduce Egypt's reliance on imports, with wheat imports projected to drop to 12.5 million tons from 13.2 million tons in the previous year. The growth is supported by the development and distribution of high-yield, climate-resilient wheat varieties and government incentives, including a set supply price of 2,500 EGP per ardeb to encourage farmers.

Following Egypt, the FAO estimates place Morocco and Iraq at 5 million tons each, Algeria at approximately 3.5 million tons, Tunisia at 1.4 million tons, and Saudi Arabia at 1.1 million tons.