In response to the urgency of the situation, an immediate import of 300,000 tons has been authorized.

Egypt’s state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), issued an international tender on Monday to procure 50,000 tons of raw sugar cane of any origin. 

The payment will be at sight, and interested parties are required to submit offers on a CIF basis, either in Egyptian pounds or US dollars. The deadline for submitting offers is set for 9 March, with the scheduled arrival of the shipment between 15-30 April and/or 1-15 May, according to the GASC statement.

Plans are underway to expand sales outlets and optimize sugar transportation across governorates, said Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The recent surge in sugar prices has raised concerns among vendors and food and beverage companies, prompting them to stockpile their inventory.

Egypt has been grappling with a severe sugar crisis in recent months, with market prices soaring to above EGP 50 per kg.

The government has taken steps to alleviate this crisis, including increasing amounts of subsidized sugar, implementing initiatives to reduce prices, imposing temporary bans on exports, and intensifying control measures. However, sugar prices remain far from the targeted level of EGP 27 per kilogram.