According to Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Egypt, one of the world’s largest wheat importers, has agreed to source wheat from India, thereby opening a window of opportunity. Egypt is one of the world’s largest wheat importers and has been importing wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
He added that Egyptian officials have listed India as one of the origins for the import of these goods.
“Officials from agriculture quarantine and pest risk analysis in Egypt visited several processing plants, port facilities, and farms in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. And we have opted to export the highest quality of wheat”
the minister remarked. He said that the Prime Minister has personally requested him to ensure that the finest quality wheat is provided to Egypt in order for India to create a difference in the country’s wheat exports. The Egyptian delegation’s visit to India comes after repeated trade conversations and meetings with other wheat-importing nations, who are looking into alternative sources of grain because supply has been restricted by the Russia-Ukraine situation. “Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development” Dr. Hala El-Said during his visit to Dubai last month and discussed India’s readiness to supply high quality wheat to ensure Egypt’s food security,” the Press Information Bureau said in a statement.
According to the PIB, India was not on the list of permitted nations that might sell wheat to Egypt in 2021. Russia and Ukraine supplied more than 80% of Egypt’s wheat imports, which are expected to reach close to $2 billion in 2021. According to the PIB, demand from Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Oman, and Malaysia is driving growth in wheat exports. APEDA, on the other hand, is attempting to increase wheat exports to other countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. Until 2020–21, India was a very minor player in the global wheat trade. According to the minister, India may only export 0.2 million tonnes of wheat in 2019–20 and 2 million tonnes in 2020–21. Under the auspices of APEDA, the commerce ministry has formed a task force on wheat exports that includes officials from other ministries, including commerce, shipping, and railroads, as well as exporters.
