Egypt’s Minister of Food Supply Ali Moselhi announced Tuesday that the Holding Company for Food Industries has increased the daily distribution the sugar through all outlets, supply chains, and cooperative complexes, in some places by up to 30 percent.

Moselhi added that this new influx of sugar will be sold for EGP 27 per kilogram.

The minister also emphasized that a range of supervisory government bodies and ministerial directorates in each governorate have been instructed to periodically inspect the markets for violations or monopolistic practices impeding citizens from purchasing sugar at the stipulated rate.

The ministry's official spokesperson Ahmed Kamal also stated that the supply minister received a report from the Holding Company for Food Industries on sugar distribution. The report indicates that one and a half tons are being sent daily to each cooperative complex under the ministry's control.

Last week, Moselhi urged citizens to not buy sugar for more than EGP 27 per kilogram, promising that the current crisis will be resolved next month.

The alarming increase in sugar prices in recent weeks has caused widespread concern, as vendors and food and beverage companies stockpile their inventory.

According to the Ministry of Supply, Egypt’s annual sugar production stands at 2.8 million tons, while consumption is around 3.2 million tons.

Egypt has faced significant challenges managing rising prices of essential commodities such as sugar, rice, onions, and eggs since the beginning of 2023.