Egypt is getting ready to relaunch its national commodity exchange in an effort to stabilise domestic markets and secure a consistent supply of essential agricultural goods, according to an announcement from the presidency on Tuesday.

The updated platform will manage both imports and exports of key staples, and forms part of a broader government strategy aimed at increasing market efficiency and reducing price fluctuations, Reuters reported.

The commodity exchange will be majority-owned by Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development.

The presidency described the organisation as a “safety valve” for the economy, intended to protect the interests of both producers and consumers.

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Although the presidency said registration has already begun for private exporters and importers, traders told Reuters they have not yet been contacted.

A draft law to regulate how the exchange will function is currently being developed.

While officials have not confirmed which goods will be traded through the platform, a government statement from March suggested it would likely cover crops, processed foods, animal feed, fertilizers, pesticides, and veterinary medicines.

The launch of the new exchange comes as Egypt is seeing a sharp drop in wheat imports.

In the first half of 2025, wheat imports fell more than 27% year-on-year, reaching 5.2 million metric tons.

Government wheat imports declined even more significantly, down by over 57% to 1.5 million tons, largely due to changes in the country’s procurement system.

Egypt, one of the world’s largest wheat importers, has struggled to maintain stable supplies for both its subsidized bread program and private mills.

Under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, military-owned businesses in Egypt have increased their presence across major economic sectors.

This growing role has raised concerns among some private sector leaders and foreign investors.

However, the government insists that these firms help close market gaps and contribute to economic stability during periods of uncertainty.

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Image Credir: AAWSAT