Egypt’s October wheat imports rise as corn shipments fall 35%
Egypt’s wheat imports nearly tripled month-on-month to 985,425 tonnes in October 2026, led by Russian and Ukrainian shipments, despite remaining 47% lower year-on-year. Meanwhile, corn imports fell 35% to 777,269 tonnes amid currency pressures, adequate domestic stocks and subdued purchasing activity.
EGYPT – Wheat imports nearly tripled month on month to 985,425 metric tonnes in October 2026, while corn imports declined by 35% amid currency fluctuations, sufficient domestic stocks and subdued purchasing activity, according to shipping data from LATT Trading & Shipping.
Despite the monthly recovery, wheat imports remained 47% lower year on year, reflecting cautious procurement by Egyptian buyers and uncertainty surrounding international grain prices and Black Sea export routes.
Russia regained its position as Egypt’s largest wheat supplier, shipping 403,245 tonnes during the month, an increase of 272% from September.
Russian wheat exports through Baltic ports also gained prominence, with Latvia supplying 107,819 tonnes and Lithuania contributing 30,700 tonnes, together accounting for approximately 14% of Egypt’s October wheat arrivals.
Ukraine nearly doubled its shipments to 269,070 tonnes, representing 27% of total imports, while Romanian deliveries increased by 68% to 138,253 tonnes.
Bulgaria and Moldova supplied 30,462 tonnes and 5,877 tonnes, respectively.
Market activity remained subdued despite increased arrivals. Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed Egyptian CIF East Mediterranean 12.5% protein wheat at US$307 per tonne on October 30, down US$11 week on week.
The Egyptian pound also weakened to a record EGP56 against the US dollar, increasing uncertainty over import costs.
Egypt’s wheat imports during the first four months of the 2026/27 marketing year totalled 2.37 million tonnes, compared with 5.26 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
However, cumulative imports since January reached 9.2 million tonnes, only 600,000 tonnes below the previous year’s level.
All recorded wheat arrivals between July and October were purchased by private-sector buyers. State procurement is expected to resume in November following purchases of at least five French and two Romanian cargoes.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s corn imports moved in the opposite direction, falling to 777,269 tonnes in October, down 35% month on month and 42.2% year on year.
Brazil remained the dominant supplier, accounting for 746,178 tonnes, equivalent to 96.1% of total arrivals.
However, Brazilian shipments declined 37.7% from September’s 1.20 million tonnes. Argentina supplied 30,551 tonnes, while Ukrainian corn remained absent because of logistical challenges affecting Black Sea exports.
The decline in corn imports was largely attributed to weak buying interest, currency fluctuations and adequate domestic supplies.
Importers reported that locally available corn was approximately US$10 per tonne cheaper than international replacement values, while warehouse stocks were sufficient to cover around 1.5 months of consumption.
Market participants expect corn imports to decline further in November, with Brazilian arrivals estimated at approximately 450,000 tonnes.
The absence of Ukrainian new-crop shipments is also affecting traditional seasonal supply patterns, as October through December typically sees increased Ukrainian corn arrivals in Egypt.
International corn prices also weakened in October.
Platts-assessed Brazilian corn averaged US$223.82 per tonne, down from US$240.49 in September, while Argentine corn declined to US$216.70 from US$226.10.
Ukrainian corn averaged US$220.81 per tonne, compared with US$224.40 the previous month.
The contrasting import trends highlight Egypt’s changing grain procurement requirements, with wheat purchases recovering through increased private-sector arrivals while corn demand remains constrained by domestic availability and foreign-exchange pressures.
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Source : Milling MEA
