North African food security and price stabilization

In late August 2026, authorities in Egypt and Libya moved to address rising production costs and supply issues within the bakery sector. In Egypt, the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Sherif Farouk, ordered a joint committee to review bakery owners' demands and propose solutions regarding regulatory frameworks and the sustainability of the bread supply. Simultaneously, Libya’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals held discussions with bakery syndicate officials to address operating costs and input prices following criticisms of bread shortages and price increases linked to power outages and diesel shortages.

By September 2026, the Egyptian government expanded its economic interventions by launching a six-month initiative to reduce the prices of essential goods. Utilizing approximately 280 outlets, the program initially targeted 12 basic commodities, including sugar, oil, pasta, and rice, with plans to expand the list to 30 products. Hisham El-Degwy of the Giza Chamber of Commerce stated that the market maintains a stable strategic reserve, noting that the initiative focuses on increasing availability and expanding the reach of discounted goods to villages and centers.

As the initiative progresses toward its scheduled conclusion in March 2027, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has expanded the scope to 30 different commodities, with some items receiving discounts of up to 25%. Minister Sherif Farouk is overseeing the program through an operations room to monitor stock levels, supply regularity, and consumer demand. To ensure compliance with announced prices, regulatory bodies such as the Consumer Protection Agency are monitoring outlets, while the ministry continues to encourage private sector participation to increase availability.