A trade delegation arrived in Cairo yesterday (26 September) to showcase UK wheat to the world’s largest importer of the grain.

Millers and bakers from four private and three government-controlled Egyptian companies – who together control 70-80 per cent of the North African country’s wheat imports – will sample UK flour at an event in Cairo organised by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

AHDB’s event is part of a broad effort to tap into the world’s largest wheat import market. Egypt has a requirement of around 11 million tonnes a year and does not currently import any grain from the UK. This represents a significant opportunity for British agriculture, which typically produces a surplus of wheat and exports more than 80 per cent of this to the European Union.

Around 70 percent of Egypt's wheat imports are currently sourced from Russia and other Black Sea countries such as Romania. The remainder is sourced from France, Germany, Australia and USA.

The aim of this week’s workshop – the first of its kind hosted by AHDB in Egypt – is to demonstrate the suitability of ukp and uks for a range of biscuits and baked goods, with food technicians from Campden BRI on hand to advise delegates on how to get the best possible results. 

With a population of 94 million growing at an estimated rate of 2-3 per cent annually, Egyptian wheat imports are projected to grow consistently in the coming years.

Dorit Cohen, Export Marketing Executive (Cereals), said: “In a post-Brexit environment the ability to be fleet of foot when export opportunities arise is key and soft wheat looks like a very real example of where collaboration across the supply chain could yield significant benefits.

“UK wheat is not widely known in the Egyptian market. Educating Egyptian millers and bakers on how to use UK flour to obtain the best results for their products will enable them to gain the confidence required and facilitate trade with the UK.”