Egypt Adds India As New Wheat Supplier Amid Disruptions In Supply Due To Russia-Ukraine War

In a positive development, Egypt has approved India as a wheat supplier amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that has threatened the global food security as the two countries are among the largest suppliers of the foodgrain.

The Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter to inform about the decision of Egypt to approve India as a wheat supplier.

"Indian farmers are feeding the world," Goyal said in a tweet on Friday (15 April).

"Egypt approves India as a wheat supplier," he said, adding that Modi government has stepped in as "world looks for reliable alternate sources for steady food supply".

"Our farmers have ensured our granaries overflow and we are ready to serve the world," the minister added.

The development comes as Egypt's Supply Ministry had confirmed earlier this week that it was considering adding wheat from India to 16 other national import origins accepted by its state grains buyer, as it seeks to shore up purchases disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Egypt, often the world's top wheat importer, usually buys the grain via tenders set by its state grains buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC). Purchases go toward heavily subsidised bread available to more than 60 million Egyptians, the news agency reported.

GASC's tender book earlier had 16 accredited wheat import origins, including Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Kazakhstan and the United States. The most recent addition, Latvia, was added last November.